You are seeing more electric bikes and scooters in your daily life, and Sturgeon Bay is no exception.
According to Future Market Insights Inc., the electric bike market is expected to reach $59.35 billion in 2026 and $134.19 billion by 2036.
That growth comes as states such as New York, New Jersey and California crack down on some high-speed models and municipalities grapple with whether they should be treated as bicycles that do not require a license to operate or vehicles that do.
The debate over e-bikes and e-scooters has spilled into local government, with Sturgeon Bay’s Local Transportation Board tackling the issue. Board Chairperson Spencer Gustafson says officers and community members alike have expressed concerns about the prevalence of e-bikes and e-scooters. He is hopeful the state will address the issue through upcoming legislation.
Until then, Gustafson says the city will take a more educational approach to its guidance on e-bike and e-scooter safety, though an ordinance is already in place prohibiting vehicles on city sidewalks in the downtown area. He would like to see safety presentations in schools and incentive programs in the community to encourage children to operate e-bikes and e-scooters safely.
According to NPR and health data and analytics firm Truveta, injury rates involving e-bikes and e-scooters have increased 7.5-fold since 2023.
