E-bikes are no longer just a trendy fad—they're reshaping how people move through cities. While some high-profile rental companies have collapsed, personal e-bike sales have skyrocketed, quadrupling since 2019.

Even in weather-challenged cities like Boston, the adoption has been remarkable. Over a recent four-month winter stretch, riders logged 121,000 trips, proving that these bikes aren’t just for sunny-day commuters.

The technology has evolved, too. Modern e-cargo bikes can carry children, groceries, or work equipment weighing hundreds of pounds, creating new options for urban families. In neighborhoods where public transit is unreliable and traffic gridlock is constant, e-bikes are offering a real alternative to car ownership.

This episode explores how e-bikes are filling a critical transportation gap, the challenges that remain, and why they might be the most important urban mobility trend you’ve never fully considered.