American Electric Bike Advocacy Organizations: Who is Fighting for Bicyclists' Rights?

In recent years, electric bikes have surged in popularity across the United States, transforming the cycling landscape and creating new opportunities for commuting, recreation, and sustainable transportation. As e-bike adoption grows, numerous advocacy organizations are working tirelessly to ensure riders' rights, promote safety, secure trail access, and influence policy decisions at local, state, and federal levels.

PeopleForBikes: The Industry-Backed Powerhouse

PeopleForBikes stands at the forefront of bicycle advocacy in the United States, representing both traditional bicyclists and the rapidly expanding e-bike community. Their comprehensive approach encompasses infrastructure development, policy advancement, and increasing cycling participation nationwide.

Policy Influence and Achievements

PeopleForBikes has established itself as a powerful voice in policy development, with several notable recent victories:

• Three-Class E-Bike System: PeopleForBikes has successfully promoted a uniform three-class system for categorizing and regulating low-speed electric bicycles. As of 2024, 43 states have officially adopted this model legislation, with Oregon and Rhode Island being the most recent additions. This classification system helps distinguish e-bikes from motorized vehicles and creates consistency for manufacturers, retailers, and riders.
• Battery Safety Legislation: In 2024, the organization played a crucial role in working with New York to pass legislation ensuring quality and safety of e-mobility products while maintaining accessibility to equitable transportation options. This legislation requires e-bike batteries to be tested to appropriate safety standards.
• E-Bike Incentive Programs: PeopleForBikes has supported the development of e-bike incentive programs across the country. Portland approved a $20 million implementation plan for an e-bike incentive program set to launch in 2025, while Michigan legislators approved $2.95 million in funding for a statewide e-bike transportation incentive program.
• Climate Initiatives: Looking ahead to 2025, PeopleForBikes is actively involved in several local coalitions supporting climate legislation designed to curb transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Infrastructure Development

Beyond policy work, PeopleForBikes focuses on creating safe cycling environments across the country:

• The organization works with communities to build connected bike networks that accommodate riders of all ages and abilities.
• They advocate for protected bike lanes, off-street trails, and other cycling infrastructure improvements.
• PeopleForBikes also tracks and rates cities on their biking networks through their City Ratings system, which evaluates the quality and connectivity of cycling infrastructure.

League of American Bicyclists: America's Oldest Cycling Advocacy Group

Founded in 1880 as the League of American Wheelmen, the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) represents one of the oldest and most established cycling advocacy organizations in the country. With decades of experience, LAB has evolved to embrace electric bikes as part of its broader mission to make cycling accessible to all.

Comprehensive Advocacy Approach

LAB takes a multi-faceted approach to advocacy:

• Federal Lobbying: The League serves as the voice for cyclists at the national level and organizes an annual National Bike Summit to bring professionals and advocates together with government representatives in Washington, D.C.
• Education Programs: LAB offers cycling education programs for riders of all ages, with certified instructors across the country teaching essential bike handling and traffic skills.
• Bicycle Friendly America: The League's Bicycle Friendly America program recognizes and provides awards to communities, universities, and businesses that have adopted measures to accommodate and encourage bicycle use. This has created a framework for evaluating and improving bike-friendliness nationwide.

E-Bike Specific Advocacy

The League has embraced electric bikes as an important component of cycling's future:

• The League celebrates biking in all of its diverse forms, including e-biking, recognizing that life improves for everyone when more people have access to cycling.
• Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists, has expressed support for the E-BIKE Act, noting that "e-bikes make biking a more accessible and easier option for more Americans" and that the bill "will enable Americans to fight climate change and improve public health through the simple act of bicycling."
• The organization provides resources and education specific to e-bike riders, helping them integrate safely with other cyclists and road users.

International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA): Championing Trail Access

While primarily focused on traditional mountain biking, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has increasingly addressed e-mountain bikes as their popularity grows on trails across America.

Evolution on E-MTB Access

IMBA's position on electric mountain bikes has evolved significantly:

• In 2024, IMBA updated its position on e-mountain bikes, indicating that the sport's largest advocacy group will now support e-bike access to certain trails, representing a small but significant shift in policy.
• This policy change was informed by research studies examining both the environmental impacts of e-bikes and rider attitudes toward them. The environmental impact study found that Class 1 e-mountain bikes showed no significant difference from conventional mountain bikes regarding soil displacement and tread disturbance.
• Real progress has followed this policy shift. In September 2024, the US Forest Service announced that two IMBA Epic Trails—the Womble and Syllamo Mountain Bike Trails—will be opened for e-bike use starting January 1, 2025.

Community-Based Advocacy

IMBA's approach centers on local engagement and education:

• Their focus remains on "more trails close to home," with a goal of partnering with 250 new communities by 2025 to develop great local trails.
• Since 1988, IMBA has partnered with communities across the country on trail advocacy, education, trail solutions, and trail stewardship to promote mountain biking accessibility for everyone.
• The organization helps local mountain biking groups develop sustainable trails and advocate for trail access in their communities.

People Powered Movement: Uniting Bike and Walk Advocacy

The People Powered Movement represents another important voice in the broader active transportation advocacy landscape, focusing on both biking and walking infrastructure.

Mission and Approach

The People Powered Movement aims to make America more friendly for bicyclists and pedestrians through united advocacy efforts. Their goal is to provide useful information regarding bike and pedestrian safety while creating, strengthening, and uniting state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations throughout North America.

Infrastructure Focus

The organization emphasizes that when cities have embraced changes in their infrastructure to accommodate bikes and walkers, safety statistics improve despite growth in ridership. They've observed that cities making efforts to become more bicyclist-friendly have seen significant increases in bicycle commuting.

Other Regional and Specialized Advocacy Groups

Beyond the national organizations, numerous regional and specialized groups advocate for e-bike rights across the country:

• New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA): Representing over 10,000 members with 36 chapters across 6 states, NEMBA works to promote responsible mountain biking and protect trails throughout New England. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, they lead recreational rides, organize trail care events, and host mountain bike festivals.
• Bicycle Colorado: A state-focused organization working on infrastructure, education, and policies to improve cycling in Colorado.
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Focuses on converting former rail corridors into trails that can be used by cyclists, including e-bike riders.

Current E-Bike Policy Challenges and Opportunities

The E-BIKE Act

The Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act represents a significant federal policy initiative that would offer a 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,500 on the purchase of new e-bikes. This legislation aims to make electric bicycles a more competitive transportation option for Americans.

Tariff Challenges

Recent developments in 2025 have created challenges for the e-bike industry, with the Trump administration imposing significant new tariffs on imports from China. These tariff increases have disrupted the U.S. electric bike market, potentially raising prices for consumers and creating uncertainty for manufacturers and retailers.

Safety Regulations

As e-bike usage grows, safety concerns have prompted legislative action in several states. As of April 2024, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York were considering legislation to require e-bike registration, while Florida and New York were exploring licensure requirements.

Denver's Success Story: A Model for E-Bike Adoption

Denver's e-bike rebate program offers a compelling case study in successful policy implementation. By the end of 2022, more than 4,700 e-bike rebates had been issued, with nearly half going to low-income residents. A survey showed that 71 percent of e-bike riders reported reduced car usage. The program was estimated to have cut 2,040 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2022 while saving nearly $1 million in avoided fuel and electricity costs.

How E-Bike Owners Can Get Involved

For e-bike enthusiasts looking to support advocacy efforts, here are effective ways to participate:

1. Join a National Organization: Become a member of PeopleForBikes, the League of American Bicyclists, or other national advocacy groups to strengthen their collective voice.
2. Support Local Chapters: Connect with local cycling advocacy groups in your area that often work directly with city planners and local officials.
3. Attend Community Meetings: Participate in transportation planning meetings in your community to ensure e-bike considerations are included in infrastructure discussions.
4. Contact Elected Officials: Reach out to your representatives about supporting e-bike-friendly legislation like the E-BIKE Act.
5. Practice Responsible Riding: Be an ambassador for e-bikes by following trail rules, yielding appropriately, and demonstrating that e-bikes can coexist with traditional bikes and other trail users.

The Future of E-Bike Advocacy

As electric bikes continue to gain popularity, advocacy organizations are evolving their approaches to address emerging challenges and opportunities:

1. Unified Messaging: Organizations are increasingly coordinating their advocacy efforts to present consistent messaging about e-bike benefits and appropriate regulations.
2. Data-Driven Approaches: Research on e-bike impacts, usage patterns, and safety is informing more effective advocacy strategies.
3. Inclusive Cycling: Many organizations are emphasizing how e-bikes can make cycling more accessible to older riders, people with different physical abilities, and those in hilly areas.
4. Climate Focus: Advocacy groups are increasingly framing e-bike adoption as an important tool in fighting climate change and reducing transportation emissions.

Conclusion

The landscape of electric bike advocacy in the United States is vibrant and evolving, with organizations working at all levels to secure the rights of e-bike riders and promote sustainable transportation. From PeopleForBikes' policy influence to the League of American Bicyclists' education programs and IMBA's trail access work, these advocacy groups are shaping the future of cycling in America.

As e-bikes continue to grow in popularity, the efforts of these organizations will be crucial in ensuring that infrastructure, policies, and public perceptions evolve to embrace this transformative technology. By supporting these advocacy groups and getting involved in local initiatives, e-bike enthusiasts can help create a more bike-friendly America for all riders.