Will Electric Bike Sharing Replace eBike Ownership?

If you look around in any major city, you will likely see bike share stands all over the place. This has become a popular business model during the 2010s and early 2020s. Increasingly, there is interest in sharing electric bikes. Will this replace electric bike ownership for many people? Is the model not quite the same when you add an electric motor?

The Advantages of Bike Sharing

The key benefit of bike sharing is that you don’t have to own your own electric bike. This means that there is no need to pay for it or maintain it. Of course, there is a fee to use the bike each time, which is significantly more than the operating costs (most shares are for-profit businesses). Nonetheless, it can make economic sense for riders in some situations.

Furthermore, there is greater convenience associated with sharing. For example, you don’t have to find a place to charge your eBike. Instead, it will be charged at the bike share stand.

From the perspective of the business, renting out electric bikes can often mean a greater return on each model. A rented bike will earn a lot more over time than a bike sold once, even a high-priced one.

The Advantages of Bike Ownership

Of course, the main benefit of bike ownership is the fact that, once you have purchased it, you can use it however and whenever you like. For each ride, this is usually a lower cost. Furthermore, you don’t have to rely on a bike being available to be shared.

There is a big drawback of electric bike sharing for businesses that doesn’t exist for sold bikes: they’re complicated. Most standard bike sharing businesses use single-speed, basic bikes. They are super reliable and require little maintenance. Even the simplest electric bike needs proper maintenance and care. For example, an inexperienced rider may completely drain the battery riding an electric bike uphill all day. If this happens too often, it will ultimately hurt the eBike’s battery health. Bike owners normally know more about how to care for their motors and batteries.

Which Is Better?

It is unlikely that electric bike sharing will ever completely replace eBike ownership. For people who commute every day, owning an eBike is almost always better. More casual users may find some benefits from electric bike sharing. However, this is only if there is sufficient supply. With some of the logistical and maintenance issues associated with electric bike sharing, this may not be an option.

There is the added wrinkle of theft risk. Electric bikes can fetch a good sum on the secondary market (because they’re great!). From a rider’s perspective, bike sharing is better because the risk is shifted to the bike sharing company. Of course, the relatively high value of eBikes may make many bike sharing companies hesitant to share them.

Learn More

If you’d rather own your own electric bike, you can order one today. For example, you may want to get an electric beach cruiser fat tire bike for riding along the sand. Alternatively, you may want a hybrid bike for commuting. Whatever you prefer, find the right eBike for your needs today.