The US Needs to Do Better for Bikes

As a small woman, I find it essential to have a small bike that I can lift and maneuver easily. Tern’s bikes are compact enough for me to manage. Also, Tern’s ebikes are powered by Bosch motors, and Bosch’s systems are among the few electric bike drivetrains that are UL-certified for safety and fire hazards. Additionally, Tern’s bikes are EFBE-tested for stress and fatigue. Most ebikes under the $4,000 mark don't have these safety certifications, but to me, they are essential. They ensure that my pedals won’t break or fall off when I’m going 20 mph, and that my bike won’t arc on me or start a fire in my garage. Parents and kids aren’t the only people who need safe, reliable options for bikes that can handle a heavy load. [...] That’s one of the reasons why Tern started Tern Business, a program that encourages small businesses to explore the company’s heavy-duty ebikes for commercial purposes like hauling and deliveries. 'You can get a lot of cargo trailers and cargo bikes for the price of one electric van,' says Tern marketing manager Arleigh Greenwald.

Wired