The bikes offer a transportation option for older people where other modes fall short.

Eillie Anzilotti writes about the role e-bikes could play as the number of older Americans increases in the coming decades. Many older people cannot drive, and transit, ride-sharing, and paratransit can have logistical limitations. The extra boost and easier riding on e-bikes make them an ideal transportation option for older adults as they traverse challenging terrains or distances they would not be able to tackle on regular bikes.
Biking provides both exercise and mobility for older riders, but the benefits extend even further. "A growing body of research actually suggests that biking could alleviate the symptoms of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as support overall health. E-bikes are a critical component of extending these benefits as they enable older people to ride longer and more regularly," writes Anzilotti.
But safety and infrastructure remain significant issues for older people using any type of bike. Currently, much urban design does not provide safe environments for older adults to cycle and walk, but lifting the barrier for them could have far-reaching effects, notes Anzilotti. "Ultimately, the benefits of a community that prioritizes mobility and access for the most vulnerable generation will radiate out to everyone."
FULL STORY: The unlikely way e-bikes could transform how we age

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie