The Phenomenon of Our Time – E-Bikes

E-bikes are booming. Last year, over 40 million were sold worldwide! In some European countries, e-bike sales are already outperforming traditional bikes – for example, in Germany, where 2.05 million people bought an e-bike in 2024. Close behind are the Netherlands, France, and Italy.

In the Czech Republic, more and more people are falling for the charm of e-bikes, with around 110,000 cyclists purchasing one last year. E-bikes are now seen as perfectly normal. Gone are the days when other cyclists looked at you askance. Also gone is the myth that e-bikes are just for seniors. The average age of e-bike users is steadily dropping, as younger generations increasingly embrace them.

The e-bike family is growing fast. It is estimated that bikes with motors and batteries could eventually account for up to three-quarters of the global bicycle market. E-bikes have even won over people who had never ridden a regular bike before. After trying one once and discovering that cycling doesn't have to mean hard work, 50-kilometre trips have become the norm for many.

There’s an overwhelming range of e-bikes on the market: mountain, cross, trekking, city, folding – and now even road, gravel and children's e-bikes. Among younger users, folding e-bikes for urban riding are especially popular, and SUV models are gaining traction too.

What are the trends in e-bikes?Although e-bikes already make cycling easier, manufacturers are constantly improving the experience with cutting-edge technologies. Some mountain e-bikes are now equipped with a revolutionary automatic shifting system called AUTO SHIFT and FREE SHIFT, available on Shimano-powered models.

This system functions much like an automatic transmission in a car – it shifts gears for you automatically, selecting the optimal gear based on speed, terrain and weather conditions.

You can further customise settings using the Shimano E-Tube Project app, which offers various ride modes. Sensors assess cadence, torque and speed to choose the best gear. The result is not only efficient shifting but also reduced wear on the chain and cassette. At any time, you can switch to manual shifting with the press of a button.

Displays have also seen major advances. With Bluetooth connectivity, they now offer GPS and theft-tracking modules.

E-bikes are truly for everyone!