Why more Nashvillians are turning to e-bikes to get around

Bikes with electric motors have sparked controversy since their arrival in Nashville. Local government debated restrictions like where e-bikes should be allowed and how fast they should go.

But last year, Nashville began allowing them on the city’s greenways, with a speed limit of 15 miles an hour. And for about a year now, the bike share program BCycle has had an electric fleet.

With e-bikes becoming more popular in the city, Walk Bike Nashville is started soliciting feedback from riders. The group held a panel discussion Wednesday on how e-bikes might fit into the city’s future.

Lindsey Ganson says older riders who thought their biking days were done are turning to e-bikes to ride again. And they’re a great option for newer riders, who aren’t sure about riding in the city.

She says getting an assist when bikers are trying to get up a hill, or getting honked at, can help people feel more confident.

“This is especially important in a city like Nashville where we have so many hills, and we also have pretty extreme heat in the summer and also some aggressive driving,” she said.

As Nashville’s population grows and roadways get busier, Ganson hopes more people turn to e-bikes for their commutes.

She says Walk Bike Nashville will continue to push for protected lanes and other biking infrastructure, and to make biking more accessible across the city.