Electric Bikes: How to Get Started

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Looking for a new way to ride? An electric bicycle, or e-bike, might be just what you need. These motorized machines have been hot-ticket items for a few years now. According to the Light Electric Vehicle Association, the United States imported a record 1.1 million e-bikes in 2022, with more units sold than electric cars. And Minnesota is no exception to the trend—with a handful of local retailers offering e-bikes, in addition to a new statewide rebate program, many riders are hopping on the electric bandwagon.

Know the Difference

The largest distinction between an e-bike and a traditional bicycle is the addition of a battery-powered motor. While the pedals are still functional, the motor propels the bike forward, making the ride a bit less strenuous. Most e-bikes offer multiple levels of power, depending on how much boost and pedal assistance the rider is looking for. This extra help makes biking more accessible across ages and ability levels and allows for faster and farther travel than traditional bikes. In some cases, e-bikes can even replace cars.

In Minnesota, e-bikes are allowed on state trails, or wherever normal bicycles are allowed, if they have two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operational pedals, and an electric motor with an output of no more than 750 watts. E-bikes are categorized into three main classes. Class 1 motors kick in only when the rider is pedaling and cut off at 20 mph; Class 2 motors propel the bike without the rider needing to pedal; and Class 3 is similar to Class 1, with a threshold speed of 28 mph. While no special license is needed, state law prohibits anyone under age 15 from operating an e-bike.

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Get Your Ride Refunded

One potential barrier to owning an e-bike is the price. On the lower end, entry-level models sell for around $1,000 to $1,500, while those in the high-end range can cost $6,000 or more. To increase accessibility and incentivize Minnesotans to switch to sustainable transportation, the state created the Electric-Assisted Bicycle Rebate Program, outlined in the 2024 Minnesota Omnibus Transportation Policy and Finance Bill. Under the program, Minnesota residents who purchase a new e-bike from an eligible retailer can get a portion of the cost refunded. A total of $2 million will be set aside per year in 2024 and 2025 for this effort. The rebates will be income-based, with the maximum set at 75% of the bike’s value up to $1,500.

The new program follows in the footsteps of other states and cities that have seen massive success with e-bike rebates and incentives. According to Forbes, there are 62 active programs offered across 19 U.S. states, with California and Colorado having taken the lead. While Minnesota has yet to reveal a clear timeline for when the Department of Revenue will start taking applications and rolling out rebates, it might be time to start selecting an e-bike. Chances are, the funds will go quickly.

Shop Around

For those in the market for an e-bike, retailers in the Twin Cities and throughout greater Minnesota offer a variety of options. The Richfield-born Erik’s Bike Shop is a treasure trove of all things electric, including mountain, road, commuter, and fat bike versions. Pedego Electric Bikes is one of the largest e-bike brands in the country, and the company has a few locally owned brick-and-mortar locations throughout the metro. North Shore riders should check out e-Bike Duluth and Continental Ski + Bike. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, there are Perennial Cycle, Electric Trails, Freewheel Bike, and Angry Catfish Bicycle, to name a few.

Hit the Trails

Minnesota offers bike-friendly trails across every region, whether riders are looking for a scenic overlook, a lakeside adventure, or an urban escape. In the Twin Cities area, bike along the Chain of Lakes, around Minnehaha Falls, or through Fort Snelling State Park. The North Shore is famous for its biking landscape and picturesque views—the 89-mile Gitchi-Gami State Trail sits along Lake Superior from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. In southern Minnesota, the Mississippi River Trail, between Red Wing and Great River Bluffs State Park, is lined with river bluffs and gorgeous foliage.

Learn Etiquette

E-bikes can operate at much higher speeds than traditional bicycles, so it’s especially important to be mindful of other riders and practice simple trail etiquette. “When riding on state trails, remember to yield to pedestrians and slower trail users, and give an audible signal when passing,” the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources notes. The Three Rivers Park District’s website adds that e-bike passing should always be done on the left. Keep the bike’s speed under control and be careful when approaching a blind corner. Additionally, e-bikers should ride with the flow of traffic, not against it, and stay off sidewalks.

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