Top 10 Electric Bike Friendly Cities in the U.S. by 2025: Infrastructure, Policies, and Communities

The Electric Bike Revolution Transforms American Cities

The electric bike revolution has fundamentally changed urban transportation across America. Once considered a niche product, e-bikes have exploded in popularity as more commuters, recreational riders, and delivery workers discover their benefits. According to recent data, approximately 42.24 million people participated in road or paved surface biking in the United States in 2023, with e-bikes making up an increasingly significant percentage of these riders.

As we look toward 2025, cities across the United States are responding to this surge in e-bike adoption by investing in infrastructure, developing supportive policies, and fostering communities that embrace these electrified two-wheelers. This article examines the top 10 e-bike friendly cities in America, analyzing what makes them stand out and how they're preparing for an even more e-bike-dominated future.

What Makes a City E-Bike Friendly?

Before diving into our rankings, it's important to understand the criteria that make a city truly e-bike friendly:

1. Infrastructure

The foundation of any bike-friendly city is its infrastructure. This includes well-maintained roads and paths designed specifically for cyclists. For e-bikes specifically, this means:

• Protected bike lanes that accommodate higher average speeds
• Secure parking and charging stations
• Well-connected networks that allow for longer e-bike trips
• Intersection treatments that prioritize cyclist safety

2. Supportive Policies

Municipal and state regulations that recognize and accommodate e-bikes are essential, including:

• Clear classification systems for different types of e-bikes
• Reasonable speed regulations
• Incentive programs for e-bike purchases
• Integration with public transit systems

3. Community Support

A thriving e-bike culture includes:

• Active cycling advocacy groups
• E-bike specific events and group rides
• Robust dealer networks and maintenance options
• E-bike share programs

The Top 10 E-Bike Friendly Cities in the U.S. by 2025

1. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis has emerged as America's premier city for e-bike riders, with infrastructure improvements that have dramatically transformed the cycling experience. Minneapolis' score in the PeopleForBikes rating system surged from 17 to 71, leading large U.S. cities for the second year in a row. Key factors include speed limit reductions, data improvements, and the construction of protected bike lanes.

The city has embraced e-bikes with policies that accommodate their unique capabilities while ensuring safety for all road users. Minneapolis lowered its default speed limit from 30 to 20 miles per hour on residential streets and to 25 miles per hour on arterial streets and now boasts over 120 miles of on-street bikeways, dedicated bike lanes and off-street trails.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• Extensive winter maintenance program for bike lanes, making year-round e-biking feasible
• Integration with public transit that allows e-bikes on buses and light rail
• Dedicated e-bike parking facilities at major destinations
• Learn more about Minneapolis' cycling infrastructure

2. Portland, Oregon

Portland continues to build on its legendary reputation as a cycling paradise with specific accommodations for e-bikes. Portland has focused about 90 percent or more of their new cycling investments on secure projects, like off-street trails, making the city especially appealing to e-bike riders seeking safety at higher speeds.

The City of Roses has successfully prioritized cycling and cyclists' safety for years now, with numerous initiatives including the Nike-sponsored Biketown bike share program, which offers thousands of e-bikes at subsidized rates. This commitment to accessibility has made Portland a model for other cities looking to increase e-bike adoption.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• The East Portland in Motion Plan enhances cycling infrastructure in diverse neighborhoods
• Extensive e-bike charging network at public facilities
• Tax incentives for businesses that provide e-bike commuter benefits
• Explore Portland's bike network at our guide to Portland riding

3. San Francisco, California

Despite its challenging topography, San Francisco has become an e-bike haven precisely because these motorized bicycles make its notorious hills manageable. According to SFMTA, 29% of San Franciscans bike (or roll) every week, including 10% who use these modes of transportation every day. At 3.4%, San Francisco has the highest percentage of bicycle commuters in the country.

The city's Transit First policy, adopted in 1973, identifies transit, bicyclists and pedestrians as the city's top transportation priorities, creating a foundation for the e-bike-friendly infrastructure we see today. San Francisco has continued to evolve its approach, most notably with the Better Market Street proposal, a plan to improve bike, pedestrian, and transit-priority infrastructure, and restrict the use of personal cars on Market Street.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• E-bike share programs with docking stations throughout the city
• San Francisco has added more than 30 miles of new bike lanes in recent years
• Innovative e-bike delivery programs supported by federal funding
• Check out our San Francisco e-bike guide

4. Seattle, Washington

Seattle has emerged as a leader in e-bike infrastructure by redesigning its streets to accommodate both traditional and electric bicycles. Seattle prioritizes cyclists' safety by cutting traffic speed to 20mph on non-arterial highways and roads, allowing the city to come second in the list of larger bike-friendly US cities.

What sets Seattle apart is its comprehensive network approach, ensuring that cyclists can travel safely across the entire city rather than just in isolated corridors. The city has also embraced e-bikes within its transportation strategy, recognizing their potential to increase cycling in a city known for hills and rain.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• Extensive covered bike parking that protects e-bikes from the elements
• Strategic placement of bike facilities near transit hubs
• Downtown protected bike lane network designed for higher speeds
• Learn about Seattle's Bicycle Master Plan

5. Davis, California

While smaller than other cities on this list, Davis has long been America's cycling capital and has readily adapted to the e-bike revolution. For 2023, Davis, California ranked as the top-scoring medium U.S. city for bicycling according to PeopleForBikes City Ratings, and its focus on cycling infrastructure has only intensified with the rise of e-bikes.

The city's compact layout, university presence, and decades of bicycle-centered planning make it an ideal environment for e-bike riders. Davis has also been a pioneer in developing policies that accommodate different classes of e-bikes on various parts of its extensive network.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• Nation-leading 100+ miles of bike paths and lanes in a compact area
• E-bike charging stations integrated with public parking
• University partnerships for e-bike research and development
• Visit our guide to riding in Davis and the surrounding area

6. Austin, Texas

Austin has transformed itself into an e-bike destination through strategic investments and policy changes. Austin focused about 90 percent or more of their new cycling investments on secure projects, like off-street trails, creating an environment where e-bike riders feel safe exploring the city.

The city's combination of urban trails, protected bike lanes, and cyclist-friendly streets has created a comprehensive network that accommodates the higher speeds and longer range of e-bikes. Austin has also embraced e-bikes as part of its strategy to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• Extensive urban trail system ideal for e-bikes
• Progressive policies for e-bike classifications
• Strong integration with public transit
• Discover Austin's cycling scene

7. Denver, Colorado

Denver has leveraged its outdoor-oriented culture to become a leader in e-bike infrastructure and policy. The city has particularly focused on creating connections between neighborhoods, parks, and employment centers that maximize the potential of e-bikes for both commuting and recreation.

Denver has enhanced its bike network with protected bike lanes that are "making the Mile High City safer, smarter, and more connected. By sharing just a little more of the street, we gain a whole lot more in safety." This approach has been particularly beneficial for e-bike riders who can now navigate the city more confidently.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• Climate-focused e-bike rebate program
• Extensive trail connections to surrounding communities
• Winter maintenance protocols for bike infrastructure
• Explore Denver's cycling infrastructure

8. Washington, D.C.

The nation's capital has embraced e-bikes as part of its strategy to reduce traffic congestion and emissions. With a bikeability score of 70 out of 100, D.C. boasts plenty of cycling infrastructure. Since 2001, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has built over 100 miles of bike lanes and has built out 24 miles of protected bike lanes across the city.

The city's compact layout and severe traffic congestion have created strong incentives for e-bike adoption, and the local government has responded with infrastructure that accommodates these faster bicycles.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• Ambitious plan for 20 additional miles of protected bike lanes by 2025
• Capital Bikeshare's large e-bike fleet
• Integration with the region's extensive trail network
• Read our guide to D.C. cycling

9. Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins has emerged as a surprising leader in e-bike infrastructure and policy, leveraging its compact size and progressive transportation planning. Fort Collins has developed an extensive network comprising 280 miles of bike lanes and 50 miles of marked or signed bike routes.

The city has particularly excelled at creating low-cost but highly effective infrastructure improvements that benefit e-bike riders. Fort Collins recently built a five-mile bikeway for less than $1 million by utilizing neighborhood bikeways, specifically the Pitkin Bikeway.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• Comprehensive active modes plan for walking and biking infrastructure
• Strong connections between city and surrounding natural areas
• E-bike friendly businesses with dedicated facilities
• Discover more about Fort Collins cycling

10. Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge rounds out our list with its combination of dense urban design, university influence, and progressive transportation policies. As one of PeopleForBikes' 2024 Cities on the Rise, building better bike infrastructure isn't just the norm in Cambridge, it's the law.

The city has particularly focused on creating protected intersections that accommodate the higher speeds of e-bikes while ensuring safety for all road users. Cambridge's compact layout is ideal for e-bikes, allowing riders to easily access all parts of the city without a car.

E-Bike Specific Highlights:

• Legally mandated protected bike lane requirements for street reconstruction
• Strong integration with Boston's regional cycling network
• University partnerships for innovative e-mobility solutions
• Learn more about cycling in Cambridge

The Economic Impact of E-Bike Friendly Cities

Cities that invest in e-bike infrastructure are seeing significant economic returns. Bike-friendly streets build local economies. If streets become places for people to spend time, walk around, shop, and connect, this results in economic benefits and higher property values.

For businesses in these top 10 cities, the increased foot (and wheel) traffic from e-bike riders has translated into measurable economic growth. Studies have consistently shown that cyclists, including e-bike riders, spend more at local businesses over time than car drivers, partly because they make more frequent visits.

Environmental Benefits of E-Bike Adoption

The environmental impact of these e-bike friendly cities is substantial. Around 30 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. Consolidating the places people want to be into a smaller area means better public transport and the ability to walk or bike—resulting in a more sustainable and resilient community.

Each of the top 10 cities on our list has highlighted environmental sustainability as a key motivation for their e-bike infrastructure investments, with many explicitly linking their cycling initiatives to climate action plans.

Safety Considerations and Infrastructure Design

As e-bikes become more prevalent, cities are adapting their infrastructure to accommodate their higher speeds and different handling characteristics. The average speed of bike fleets has gone up and will continue to go up in the coming years. Bike-specific infrastructure should reflect these higher speeds not just out of respect for accuracy, but because when it comes to choosing a transportation mode, speed matters.

The most successful cities in our ranking have taken proactive approaches to safety, including:

• Wider bike lanes that allow for passing
• Clear signage about expected behavior
• Education campaigns for all road users
• Strategic separation of pedestrians, traditional bikes, and e-bikes where appropriate

The Future of E-Bikes in American Cities

Looking toward the future, we can expect these leading cities to continue innovating in e-bike infrastructure and policy. Emerging trends include:

• Better integration of e-bikes with public transit
• Expanded charging networks, potentially using renewable energy
• More sophisticated traffic management systems that recognize and prioritize e-bikes
• Continued expansion of protected infrastructure networks

How Other Cities Can Catch Up

For cities looking to improve their e-bike friendliness, our top 10 provide valuable lessons:

1. Start with protected infrastructure on key corridors
2. Develop clear, sensible policies for different classes of e-bikes
3. Engage with local cycling advocates and e-bike retailers
4. Consider incentive programs to boost adoption
5. Integrate e-bike considerations into all transportation planning

Conclusion: The E-Bike Revolution Is Just Beginning

The transformation of American cities through e-bike friendly infrastructure and policies is only accelerating. As battery technology improves, prices decrease, and more people discover the benefits of electric-assisted cycling, the demand for accommodating infrastructure will only grow.

The cities on our list have positioned themselves at the forefront of this revolution, creating environments where e-bikes can fulfill their potential as efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable transportation options. By studying their successes and learning from their occasional missteps, other cities can join the movement toward a more e-bike friendly America.