Electric bikes line the streets, sidewalks, and bike paths of Edina, cruising at fast speeds past cars and pedestrians to get to their destinations. These electrically-powered vehicles have been the fastest growing bike in the U.S. since 2020, attracting students.

Sophomore Michelle Gharbi does not have an e-bike, but sees them regularly around Edina.

“They’ve been becoming more and more popular,” Gharbi said. “I see them all over the place, like on the sides of busy roads and on 50th & France.”

Gharbi said she sees that e-bikes are convenient and can be helpful going up hills.

What’s holding her back from buying one, though, is the danger she thinks that e-bikers face.

“There’s an increased likelihood of getting into an accident,” she said, “because [when] you’re able to go faster, your ability to stop goes down.”

Freshman Will Wrobel got his e-bike at the beginning of summer and now bikes to school and lacrosse practices. In contrast to Gharbi, he thinks e-bikes are relatively safe.

“If you wear a helmet, they’re pretty safe,” he said.

Aside from safety, Wroebel prefers his e-bike over normal bikes for a variety of reasons.

“It gets me to places faster and it’s just fun to ride,” he said. “The seat’s also more comfortable.”

Like Wrobel, sophomore Soren Ehling also uses his e-bike to go places, like the gym.

“It gets you from point A to point B,” Ehling said.

He thinks that e-bikes can be especially helpful for teens who can’t yet drive because it’s faster and takes less effort than a normal bike, which won’t take as much of a toll on one’s body.

“It’s a convenient way to get places,” Ehling said, “especially if you don’t want to get sweaty and hot like most people who bike in the summer.”

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on Oct. 2, 2025