(Undated) A study from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition shows that biking and trail use are boosting economies in all 99 counties of Iowa.
That’s Luke Hoffman of the Iowa Bike Coalition. Biking is one of the top 50 industries in Iowa, with $1.4 billion in economic impact. Spending in the service and retail industry, such as restaurants, bars, and bike shops, has had the most impact on Iowa’s economy.
Electric bikes have come onto the scene over the past few years, and people have started speeding on Iowa bike trails with these electric bikes.
Hoffman says Electric Bikes often have pedal assist, allowing people to go faster, around 15 to 22 miles an hour, some as much as 30. Typical pedal-power bikes go 12 to 15 miles an hour. Hoffman says that reclassifying some electric bikes to motorcycles would keep bike trails safer.
