If you’ve been to Europe or parts of Asia lately, you’ve probably noticed something: e-bikes are not a novelty there. They’re everywhere. Parents haul kids in cargo boxes, couriers deliver packages, and office workers roll up in suits, all without touching a car key. In cities like Amsterdam or Tokyo, electric two-wheelers have gone from fringe to fundamental, replacing cars and vans for countless daily trips.
But the US is still catching up. Americans are already buying more e-bikes than ever before, somewhere between one and 1.2 million a year, but most of those sales are happening in big cities. If you live in the suburbs or anywhere rural, finding more than a couple of e-bikes at your local shop can be a challenge. Even then, prices aren’t always friendly. Infrastructure is improving, but compared to the seamless cycling networks overseas, the US still has a long way to go.
This is where companies like Upway step in. Born in France and already a major player in Europe’s second-hand e-bike market, Upway now has warehouses in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, shipping refurbished and certified bikes to customers across the continental US. The site usually lists more than 2,000 bikes at a time, all backed by a one-year warranty, and coming complete with a 14-day return window, as well as financing options. It’s the polar opposite of meeting a stranger from Facebook Marketplace and hoping that the bike they’re selling is legit.
The timing is hard to ignore. Around 97.8 percent of bikes sold in the US are imported, and even “Made in the USA” models often use Chinese-made components, especially batteries. If the proposed tariffs take effect, the price of new e-bikes could climb sharply, much like cars. The recent shutdown of the de minimis loophole, which allowed ultra-cheap and often uncertified imports from platforms like Temu and Alibaba to enter the country without inspection, could further thin out the budget end of the market.
In Europe and Asia, this sort of market shift is less dramatic. Many governments there treat bicycles as essential transport and offer subsidies for both new and used bikes. In the US, the lack of affordable new bikes could push more buyers toward quality used options. For anyone who has ridden a good cargo e-bike and realized it can haul groceries, kids, and work gear without much effort, that shift just makes sense.
It’s worth noting that around eighty percent of car trips in the US are under 10 miles, or about 16 kilometers. If your next car is suddenly more expensive or you’re simply tired of sitting in traffic, a well-priced e-bike might start looking like the most practical choice. Plus, getting a couple of hours of sunlight and fresh air is always a good thing, too.
Sources: Upway USA, Streetsblog USA
