Is your city really e-bike-friendly, or is there room for improvement? If you don't live in a cyclist's paradise like Copenhagen, chances are there are opportunities to enhance the e-biking experience. While many cities have taken steps to accommodate e-bikes with bike lanes and regulations, there's always more that can be done. Let's dive into how your city can become even more welcoming to electric bikes and explore how you can actively advocate for these changes!

1. Expanded and Enhanced Bike Lanes
   E-bike enthusiasts consistently advocate for more bike lanes. Any designated bike lane is an improvement over sharing the road with cars, but the ultimate goal is to have protected bike lanes. These lanes are separated from car traffic by physical barriers, making cycling safer and less stressful. If your city already has some bike lanes, that's a good start. However, the vision is to establish an extensive network of interconnected, protected bike lanes throughout the city, providing a safe haven for electric bike riders.

2. Ample E-Bike Parking Facilities
   Imagine arriving at your destination, eager to explore, only to find inadequate parking facilities for your cherished e-bike. A truly e-bike-friendly city ensures there are plenty of secure parking spots available everywhere you go. Look out for various e-bike parking options, ranging from traditional bike racks to secure bike lockers. Regardless of the parking facilities available, it's essential to exercise good judgment and securely lock up your e-bike whenever you park it.

3. Lowering Speed Limits for Cars
   The equation here is straightforward: reduced car speed limits translate to safer roads for e-bikes. Lower speed limits not only enhance safety but also enable e-bike riders to comfortably keep pace with traffic, navigate merging lanes, and pass vehicles securely. Keep in mind that different speed limits often apply to e-bikes based on the path, street, or area in most states.

4. Seamless Integration into Connected Bike Networks
   Think of connected bike networks as well-planned road networks designed exclusively for cyclists. These networks offer riders of all skill levels multiple routes to their destinations, ensuring a safe, efficient, and enjoyable riding experience. Unlike driving, where roads rarely come to an abrupt end, e-bike enthusiasts often encounter situations where bike paths suddenly terminate, forcing them onto less safe routes. A robust connected bike network should incorporate features like protected bike lanes, shared-use paths, and car-free streets.

5. Accessible Public E-Bike Charging Stations
   The scarcity of public charging stations for e-bikes in Canada presents a notable challenge. While the proliferation of charging stations for electric vehicles is a positive development, e-bike riders encounter a unique issue. The existing charging infrastructure typically caters to Level 2 charging, designed for electric cars, while e-bikes rely on Level 1 charging, similar to charging your cellphone or laptop. Fortunately, some provinces, like British Columbia, are recognizing the need to expand public charging facilities to accommodate Level 1 charging for e-bikes. This expansion will soon make it easier for e-bike riders across Canada to conveniently maintain their bikes' battery levels, eliminating the need for those awkward moments when you attempt to charge your e-bike battery at a coffee shop without making a purchase.

How to Advocate for a More E-Bike-Friendly City
If you want your city to be more e-bike-friendly, you can be a catalyst for change! Engage in conversations with your neighbors, connect with local bike advocacy groups (OntarioByBike is an excellent resource for finding such groups in Ontario), attend city council meetings, and actively raise your voice. While it may require time and effort, remember that anything worth having is worth fighting for.

And if you're still searching for the perfect e-bike, explore our extensive catalog to discover the ideal Demon Electric bike for your needs and preferences!