Why More Chicagoans Are Using Ebikes to Overcome Bike Riding Fears

If the thought of cycling in Chicago traffic makes your palms sweat, you're not alone. Many people love the idea of biking but are held back by concerns around safety, effort, or practicality. The good news? An Ebike might be the solution you've been waiting for.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common fears people have about biking in the city —and why you don’t need to let them stop you from embracing a smarter, car-lite lifestyle in Chicago.

This is easily one of the biggest questions we hear at EbikeCityZen.

And honestly—it’s valid. City traffic can be intense, but riding an Ebike in Chicago can actually be safer than you think. Thanks to growing investment in urban cycling infrastructure like protected bike lanes and greenways, getting around on two wheels has never been easier or more secure.

Plus, Ebikes help you maintain a consistent pace so you’re more visible to drivers, and they give you a little extra get-up-and-go when you need to clear an intersection or avoid a close pass.

The biggest benefit you'll receive when you ride your Ebike is confidence. With pedal assist, you're no longer concentrating on strenuously pumping your legs just to maintain speed. This frees your ability to concentrate on the ride itself, and can actually improve your mental wellbeing. You'll feel more completely in control. Now you're riding empowered!

At EbikeCityZen, we like to call it finding the alternate route. The main roads you think about using in a car are not the best places to bike! And, once you discover the alternate, safer routes for your Ebike journey - you'll discover you can likely get to your destination quicker, because you're not trapped by gridlock! 

Think about all the calm neighborhood streets that run parallel to the main roads. Ashland Ave is not a good biking route, but Damen Ave has great bike lanes! Foster Ave doesn't have bike lanes, but the Berwyn Greenway runs parallel just a couple blocks north. Combine these with other greenways, multi-use trails through the parks and the new designated bike lanes on many of our streets, and you can get virtually anywhere in the city.

Ebike commuting in Chicago is getting better every year. The city is adding more bike lanes, especially in neighborhoods like Lincoln Square, Wicker Park, and Logan Square, Edgewater and Uptown. Apps like Google Maps’ bike layer make it easy to plan a safe, scenic route that keeps you off the roads with too many cars.

If you’re still unsure, check out our blog on Ebike Route Planning to learn how to ride with confidence and clarity.

That’s the beauty of an Ebike —it levels the playing field.

Are Ebikes good for beginners? Absolutely. Whether you're facing a headwind on the Lakeshore path or a hill in Pilsen, pedal assist lets you tackle your commute without breaking a sweat. You still get exercise, but you control the effort.

It’s the difference between dreading your ride… and actually looking forward to it.

At EbikeCityZen, we like to say that Ebikes are the most inclusive form of cycling. People of a much broader range of ages and fitness levels can ride an electric bike than could a traditional bike. Plus - for fit riders, Ebikes are still a game changer! You can arrive at your destination sweat free, because the pedaling effort is so easy.

Studies show that Ebike owners choose to ride more than three times as often as traditional bike owners - and they ride for longer distances and for more types of trips.

How far an Ebike can go on one charge depends on the model, but all the Ebikes sold by EbikeCityZen can easily handle a full day of errands or commuting across town—typically going 40 to 60 miles on a single charge. That means you can go from Edgewater to the Loop and back with plenty of power to spare. Heck, take a scenic detour over to the 606 or ride to the end of Northerly Island! Taking detours, discovering hidden gems and the ability to stop off anywhere along your route with out worrying about parking is one of the ultimate joys of riding an Ebike.

Worried about what happens if the battery runs out? Unlike an electric car you will not be stranded! You can still pedal like a regular bike (just with a bit more resistance). But with smart range planning and at-home charging, range anxiety becomes a non-issue fast.

An Ebike takes just pennies worth of electricity to charge, too. The battery on most models is removable, so simply bring it into your home or office after your daily ride and plug it into a standard wall outlet with a charger that looks just like your laptop charger.

For many Chicagoans— yes, an Ebike can replace your car.

Ebikes are perfect for farmers markets, school drop-offs, commutes, grocery runs, and more. You can even ride your Ebike to go out for dinner! Just add a cargo rack or panniers and you’re ready to go.

In fact, plenty of riders say their Ebike helps them reduce car trips by 50–80%. Imagine skipping traffic, avoiding parking fees, and still showing up on time, feeling great. That’s the power of electric.

There are still times when a car is a necessity, and here at EbikeCityZen, we are not anti-car! We're pro-choice when it comes to your transportation options. We advocate a Car-Lite approach to transportation. Choose to ride your Ebike for as many trips as practically possible and save the wear and tear, fuel, and parking fees that your car consumes for when it really makes sense on longer trips.

If you’ve ever thought about biking but felt held back, now’s the time to experience the difference. At EbikeCityZen , we help you find the right Ebike for your lifestyle—whether you're commuting from Uptown or heading to the Lincoln Square Farmers Market.

We even have a unique At-Home Ebike Shopping Experience. No need to schlep to a bike shop to look for your new Ebike, we bring the Ebike shop to you! Learn more about our "Try Before You Buy" at-home service.

You can overcome the fear. You can ride safer, smarter, and sweat-free.