Earlier this month, Capital Bikeshare debuted the newest additions to their fleet: 80 pedal-assist electric bikes (known as e-bikes).
These CaBi+ bikes were deployed throughout Washington DC, Arlington, VA., and Montgomery County, MD. The day that the e-bike fleet launched, my Instagram feed became inundated by stories of friends using the bikes for the first time. The consensus?
OMG. You have to try this.
And then I did. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, I saw a CaBi+ bike in the dock adjacent from my apartment. For members, the electric bikes can be used at no additional expense, and are the same price for single-use trips. I unlocked it and was off. The CaBi+ e-bike provided for a super smooth ride. I felt that I was barely pushing down on the pedals as the electronic assist propelled me forward. Even on the most aggressive of hills, the bike proved triumphant. When I got into the Mobility Lab office the next day, I excitedly recalled my experience.
This is the future.
This sentiment is echoed by Twitter users, who jumped on social media to voice their enthusiasm for the e-bike pilot program. Many remarked how fun their ride was, an important shift in seeing active transportation not just as a tool for commuting but for recreation and fitness.
https://twitter.com/cara_thuringer/status/1041783530764881921
I rode a #CabiPlus bike 4 times since they were released and I can't wait to do it again. Each time was so much fun and it helped me be a little less sweaty when I got to the office.
— Marcel Lirot (@marcellirot) September 17, 2018
Got my hands on a #CabiPlus this wknd in Shirlington. So fun and easy to ride!
— Sonya Breehey (@SBreehey) September 18, 2018
Got me home in half the time in a raging summer DC deluge, and despite the rain it was a ton of fun.
— Rachel Ostrow (@EurasiaRachel) September 17, 2018
My bike ride to Mobility Lab’s office in Rosslyn is easy, except for the massive hills between the Key Bridge and my desk. Capital Bikeshare users confirmed that even Rosslyn geography was no match for the mighty electronic bike.
I commuted from Shaw to Rosslyn using a #CaBiPlus this morning and it was an absolute dream. Parked it at the dock UP the Rosslyn hill that I never use because it's annoying to bike up. <3
— Realmwell (@realmwell) September 6, 2018
Took my first #CaBiPlus ride at lunch around @RosslynVA. Thanks to @bikeshare for trying these out, I hope it's still there for my commute home! #bikedc pic.twitter.com/yRED4uh06T
— Douglas Plowman (@DougPlowman90) September 5, 2018
For others, the pedal-assist bikes made biking easier and significantly less sweaty. For those without access to shower facilities, e-bikes can be an effective way to incorporate active transportation into their daily routine.
Tried my first @bikeshare ebike and it was AWESOME. Straight cruisin without breaking a sweat going up the hill on 15th next to meridian hill park #CaBiPlus pic.twitter.com/ms5RQyGYvm
— Margaret Branton (@mhb5xx) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheOther21224/status/1039127680522829825
They have the possibility of drastically changing my transit patterns — more bikes will mean many more bike trips for me!
— Allie Toomey Shrock (@atshrock) September 17, 2018
The electric bikes are awesome. I’d ride bike share more often if they were more common at the stations.
— Pepper Burly (@PepperBurly) September 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/leslieanneg/status/1041842527505145856
The CaBi+ pilot will continue until November, as system administrators determine the feasibility of expansion and maintenance of the existing ebikes fleet. Tweets about the ebike program were overwhelmingly positive, with hopes that more ebikes will become available and can be easily adopted into a commute.
We have seen the future and it feels electric!
I have seen the future and it is ebikes. Slightly faster commute and half the sweat. #bikedc pic.twitter.com/AohEorH5gW
— Mike Kruger ⚾🍕🌞(@MikeKruger@mastodon.energy) (@mikekruger) September 12, 2018