WHAT IS ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?

I’ll admit it: I was nervous—and that surprised me. Nervous isn’t a feeling I usually associate with outdoor activities. Hiking, backpacking, winter camping? Bring it on. But when it came to e-bikes, I felt hesitant, unsure, and, if I’m being honest, a little judgmental. To say I knew nothing about e-bikes would be an understatement.

I didn’t give them much respect. Why would someone need a motor when the whole point is to use your own energy? Lazy, I thought.

That perspective began to shift in Yosemite, of all places.

If you know me, that part isn’t surprising. But it wasn’t because I rented an e-bike and cruised the Valley floor (though that alone is tempting). It was a conversation with a friend. She shared a family adventure in Yosemite made possible by e-bikes. Usually her mom can’t join in on outdoor family fun—age and medical issues have limited her. But there they were: three generations riding together, creating memories that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

I remember thinking, I want that.

Suddenly, I pictured my own family riding the Valley floor together—12 miles at our own pace, seeing places even experienced hikers often miss. Or, in winter, riding to Glacier Point when the road is closed to cars and before the snow sticks. And just like that, I found myself curious . . . but still cautious. And with no idea where to begin.

CURIOUS, BUT STILL APPREHENSIVE

That Yosemite story stayed with me. I started noticing more kids and adults riding e-bikes to school or commuting along the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail. Still, I wasn’t convinced.

Let’s be honest: Many of us have had an e-bike encounter that made our heart race—and not in a good way. We’ve all seen kids popping wheelies in the street, weaving through pedestrians, or flying past far faster than feels comfortable on a shared path.

I love the idea of ditching traffic and pedaling to the store a few cities away. I’m an athletic person—this should have been a perfect fit.

So why the hesitation?

I realized I had formed strong opinions without much actual information.

AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION

Then the universe added a twist.

My daughter started spending time with a friend whose mom, as it turned out, had just opened a bike shop in Marina. She invited me to the shop’s monthly Women’s Night Out, focused on basic bike care.

Bike care? I didn’t even know that was a thing.

Of course, I went—and I am so glad I did.

The shop was filled with women of all ages: some experienced riders, others total beginners, all of us curious for different reasons. I walked in feeling slightly awkward, but that disappeared quickly. The owner, Stacey Mahoney, welcomed questions, shared knowledge without judgment, and created an environment where learning felt accessible.

The evening covered general bike care, but my curiosity kept circling back to e-bikes. By the end of the night, I had gathered basic information—and before I knew it, I walked out with a date and time for my very first ride.

It looks easy enough, right?

MY FIRST RIDE

On a beautiful, sunny morning, I arrived feeling both nervous and excited. Stacey walked me through everything: the e-bike I’d be riding, safety features, helmet fit, and the route we’d take. She patiently answered all my questions and took the time to make sure I felt comfortable.

That time mattered more than I realized.

Living in a popular tourist area, there are plenty of e-bike rentals and recreation options—but not all first-time riders receive that level of instruction. If you’re new to e-bikes, my biggest piece of advice is this: Find a shop that will take the time to educate you. It makes all the difference.

A few beginner tips I learned quickly:

• Morning rides can be chilly—bring gloves.
• E-bikes are heavier than traditional bikes. Practice starting, stopping, and turning in a safe place.
• Always set the motor to “zero” when you stop. If you touch the pedal while it’s engaged, the bike will leap forward—not dangerous, just unexpected.

AND THEN . . . IT WAS PURE JOY

We rode from Marina along the incredible Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail—18 miles hugging the coastline from Pacific Grove to Castroville—stopping two cities away for coffee. I could actually see the ocean, feel the breeze on my face, and enjoy the journey instead of sitting in traffic.

Talk about feeling like a kid again.

Suddenly, I understood why e-bikes have exploded in popularity.

BEGINNING MY EDUCATION

From that first Women’s Night Out, Stacey continued answering my questions and helping me understand this new world. I started talking to bike shop owners, families, and parents whose kids ride e-bikes—and I quickly realized how wrong my assumptions had been.

I thought all e-bikes were basically the same and didn’t require pedaling. Not even close.

The most common thing I heard from parents was this:

“I just bought one, and I didn’t really know what I was buying.”

Some e-bikes function much more like electric motorcycles than traditional bikes. To make things more confusing, marketing and classifications aren’t always clear. Even attentive parents can struggle to navigate the options—especially when “all their friends have one.”

In California, e-bikes fall into three classes. Classes 1 and 2 are generally treated like conventional bikes—often referred to as “analog bikes” in the cycling world. (A simplified breakdown follows.)

What surprised me most was how misleading speed can be. Twenty miles per hour doesn’t sound fast—until you’re on a bike, sharing space with pedestrians or heading downhill.

UNDERSTANDING PEDAL ASSIST VERSUS THROTTLE IS KEY

• Class 1 & 3: You must pedal for the motor to assist.
• Class 2: A throttle can power the bike without pedaling. This can be helpful for older riders, hills, or heavier loads—but it requires extra responsibility.

Manufacturers are getting creative, which makes it even harder for families to know what they’re buying. One mother I spoke with shared her regret after unknowingly purchasing an e-dirt bike—very different from a standard e-bike and not street legal—for her 14-year-old son.

“I love his independence,” she told me, “but I wish I’d understood what I was buying first.”

She wasn’t alone.

WHAT’S NEXT

I’m still cautious—but now I’m also genuinely excited.

My family spans ages 13 to 63, with different abilities, interests, and comfort levels. Like many families, we’re trying to balance independence, safety, commuting, and recreation.

In Article 2, I’ll dive into the big question: How do you choose the right e-bike for your rider? From age-appropriate options to intended use, there’s far more to consider than I ever imagined.

Join me next month as I continue this wheeled journey—asking questions, weighing pros and cons, and figuring out how e-bikes can fit into family life safely and responsibly.

Here’s to curious minds, cautious choices, and many adventures ahead.