Welcome to the inaugural Week in E-bikes! As the name suggests, this weekly round-up will cover everything in the world of e-bikes, from new releases and associated tech to the ongoing debates around the world about how we legislate for this speedy new class of bicycle.
Hans Rey calls for “line in the sand” on e-bikes
Hans ‘No Way’ Rey has weighed in on the e-bike power debate. The extreme mountain biking pioneer and Bosch ambassador has argued that 750 watts of peak power should be set as the absolute max in the USA. In an open letter published by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, Rey said:
“Ideally, ‘e-bike’ would mean one thing: A Class 1 pedal-assist bicycle with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph, no throttle, and a motor not exceeding 750 watts of peak power.”
Rey goes on to propose new categories for e-bikes: e-bicycle (or eMTB), which is limited to 20 mph max assist; e-moped, which is throttle equipped and/or goes faster, including current class 2 and 3–rated e-bikes in some US states; and e-motorcycles, which “go well above bicycle-level performance”.
While the difference between the latter two categories isn’t all that clear, Rey’s heart is in the right place; he believes that clearer distinctions will mean that e-bikers and e-MTBers will be able to access trails and bike paths without being punished by blanket bans against all e-bikes.
“Resist the temptation to chase bigger numbers at the expense of long-term access,” Rey tells manufacturers. “Short-term sales gains could lead to long-term collapse.”
E-bike accidents involving children rise by over 300% in US city
A new study presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has highlighted that the number of e-bike accidents involving children in San Diego rose by over 300% between 2019 and 2023. It also notes that e-bike admissions to the ER are often high-energy trauma cases, involving organ injuries and complex fractures.
“Are there better ways to regulate micromobility?” asks Rachel Mednick Thompson, MD, FAAOS, orthopaedic surgeon at Rady Children’s Hospital / University of California San Diego. “Should a license be required to operate an e-bike? Are age limits worth considering? These are all important questions that legislators and community leaders should consider as they move forward.”
$14,500 titanium e-bike launched
Our dream bike has entered the chat… we just can’t afford it. Viral Bikes’ Wander-ee gravel e-bike includes a lightweight Mahle X20 hub motor system, a Pinion C1.12i Smart.Shift electronic gearbox, a Cane Creek Invert suspension fork, a titanium frame with seductive gold highlights – and an epic $14,500 (£10,900) price tag.
Yes, it’s very pricey, but it does look incredible. The frame includes a passive suspension system with a titanium flex plate that dampens vibrations without complex pivots. By marrying a gearbox with a hub motor via a belt drive, it provides a 600% gear range while giving adventurers a largely maintenance-free bike that’s just as capable when the battery dies.
Norfolk Council invests in e-bikes to bypass traffic works
Residents of the Norfolk settlements of Wymondham and Hethersett are set to benefit from a £100,000 investment in e-bikes. Currently plagued by ongoing works on the A11, the 35 new Beryl e-bikes will help commuters make the nine-mile trip into Norwich using existing cycleways.
Despite being a perfect example of how investing in e-bike fleets and traffic-free infrastructure can be enormously beneficial for residents, people inevitably complained. “More wasteful spending for the Lycra clad demons that clog up our roads, goes with the latest government thinking that we should narrow carriageways so you can’t overtake them,” said “The Master” in the Eastern Daily Press’s comment section.
More hire e-bikes hit the streets of Aberdeen, Exeter, and Bradford
We’re guessing “The Master” probably won’t approve of this, but we do. The UK cities of Aberdeen, Exeter, and Bradford are getting lots of nice new hire e-bikes. In Aberdeen, Voi is set to launch a 350-strong e-bike fleet this spring, while Exeter now has 200 e-bikes for hire, courtesy of Beryl (the bike/scooter hire company, not some random woman). Bradford is also joining the e-bike revolution, with docking bays appearing around the Yorkshire city and a fleet of up to 200 e-bikes set to be deployed on Tuesday, 10th of March.
Most of these schemes are financed by low emission and clean air zones funds, but Bradford’s scheme is backed in partnership with LNER with the aim of integrating cycling into rail commutes.
Would you ride a one-ball electric bike?
And finally, YouTuber James Bruton has created a self balancing e-bike that rides on a single circus ball. The Lego Technic-style contraption makes use of three 2kW omni-wheels to move, and steers via “wings” that provide aerodynamic drag. Probably not coming to a bike lane near you soon, but as an engineering experiment it’s insanely impressive.
1 thought on “Is this £11k dream machine the ultimate e-bike? Plus MTB legend calls for better e-bike distinctions, the rise and rise of e-bike hire schemes continues + more”
I do like the ball bikes. His crazy engineering obsession that is sort of also utterly pointless. That and the similarity to the insult of ballbag.