A recent study by Deloitte, one of the largest consulting firms in the world, has highlighted the important role that bicycles will play in the coming years in easing traffic congestion and improving urban air quality and public health, especially in cities as they become more heavily populated.Overall, Deloitte is predicting that the number of people who bike to work will double in many major cities around the world by 2022.
As an aside, I ride with a group of fast, older bikers (still much faster than me). The wife of one of the riders has trouble keeping up with the pack. Even though she rides, she increasingly complains about the length and speed of the rides (and discourages him from riding as much).
The easy solution for her would be a power-assist electric. She could keep up with the peloton and still keep getting stronger.
Like this wife, I know lots of folks who would like to ride with us, but are afraid they couldn't keep up (and would be embarrassed to be dropped). E-bikes are the perfect solution.
Though I ride 50-80 miles a week in the winter and more in the summer, I would love an e-bike for running errands around town when I am not up for an intense ride or am recovering from other rides.