(Photo: Electric Bike Expo)
Despite big advances in battery technology and ever-increasing availability, electric bike sales still lag in the United States compared to other countries. Organizers of the Electric Bike Expo — which is coming to Portland for the first time ever in May — think the reason many Americans aren’t enthused about e-bikes is simply because they haven’t spent enough quality time with them.
The focus of the two-day show is an e-bike test track. Attendees will be able to try bikes from many different brands and talk to e-bike experts. “The best way for people to truly understand what an electric bike is all about is to provide them with the ride experience. That is why we are taking electric bikes to the people,” is how Ray Verhelst, President of the Electric Bike Expo, puts it.
The Electric Bike Expo is a strategic partner with Interbike, the producer of the nation’s largest annual bicycle industry trade show held every year in Las Vegas. The Expo is being held in six cities this year and organizers say they chose the locations, “based on the weather during the first half of the year, the level of friendliness towards electric bikes, and the economic demographics of both the residences and the visitors during specific events.” The Portland edition happens May 20th-22nd in the parking lot of Regal Cinemas in the Lloyd District (NE Multnomah and 13th).
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To get a taste of what to expect at this event, check out this promo video:
It’s no surprise Portland has been chosen as a stop on the Expo’s tour. We have a growing number of bike shops that specialize in electric bikes and local businesses that make electric bike accessories. I’ve personally noted a steady uptick in the number of e-bikes in local bikeways, but it hasn’t quite reached a critical mass. Not yet at least. Events like this Expo could be key in tipping the scales.
For more about Portland’s e-bike scene, check out our archives. And stay tuned for a report from the Expo in May.
— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org
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