Calvin Thigpen, a policy researcher with 7 years of experience leading policy research at Lime, conducted the research. Calvin has a PhD in Transportation Technology & Policy from the University of California, Davis.
Refurbished E-Bikes Report: Affordable Transportation Solution For Cities and Consumers
Written by: Calvin Thigpen | February 24, 2026 | Time to read 7 min
Peel back the curtain on why potential riders may be hesitant to buy an electric bike, and find out how Upway makes e-Bikes more affordable, reliable, and a crucial part of wider sustainability efforts.
More about the Author: Calvin Thigpen PhD, Report Author
Calvin Thigpen is a transportation policy researcher and practitioner who fell back in love with bicycling while getting his PhD at UC Davis, one of the most bike-friendly communities in the US. Nowadays, you’ll find him hard at work helping cities craft better plans and policies for micromobility, and pedaling around the city with his kids on the back of his electric cargo bike.
Upway recently released an in-depth study on affordable and reliable electric mobility, exploring the shifting landscape of e-Bike adoption in the US. The report leverages Upway’s international sales data, consumer market research, and a representative survey to reveal new findings about the certified pre-owned marketplace for electric bikes. In summary, both consumers and policymakers should view certified used e-Bikes as a scalable accelerator of e-Bike ridership that can support cities, residents, and sustainability goals. Here’s a closer look at the report’s highlights and key data below.
Table of Contents
E-Bike adoption is complex, but increasing
Upway’s recent report provides a first in-depth look
Largest barrier to e-Bike ownership: cost
Upway significantly lowers the barriers to new e-Bike ownership
Certified pre-owned e-Bikes are incredibly reliable
E-Bike owners are satisfied & offer buying advice
E-Bike adoption is complex, but increasing
Electric bike ridership is on the rise in the US, but the situation on the ground and across cities is more complicated than a single, positively-trending curve. More people are embracing e-Bikes, and city and state governments have thrown their support behind electric bike incentive programs to further encourage e-Bike usage.
At the same time, however, there is increased anxiety around the risk of battery fires from poor-quality e-Bikes and rider safety. Confusion between legal electric bikes and faster, illegal “e-motos” or general unsafe rider behavior has led to pushback, including New Jersey’s recent law that places new license, registration, and insurance restrictions on all electric bicycles.
Upway’s recent report provides a first in-depth look
Fast-growing e-Bike adoption and a shifting landscape from bike paths to state legislatures mean it’s time for a data-driven analysis. For this reason, Upway commissioned an independent report on the certified pre-owned e-Bike marketplace, including general e-Bike trends across the US, Europe, and survey responses from a representative group of e-Bike owners.
It’s a comprehensive first look at the US’s trajectory when it comes to electric bikes and exactly how certified pre-owned electric bikes can be: (1) an effective strategy for policymakers in sustainability efforts, and (2) an effective way for consumers to get a great value for money.
Largest barrier to e-Bike ownership: cost
“E-Bikes are too expensive.”
For most consumers looking to purchase a new e-Bike, this is a common sentiment. An average new e-Bike costs nearly $3,000, before even considering the accessories needed to make it practical for regular use, from the basics like a helmet and bike locks to add-ons like fenders. Even larger accessories include bike racks or trailers for hauling groceries, transporting kids or a dog.
Many cities and states have tried to address the affordability barrier by setting up e-Bike rebate programs— the latest count shows that well over 100 have been set up in the last 10 years. But these popular rebate programs are inevitably over-subscribed— tough luck if you weren’t one of the few lottery winners or didn’t sign up in time.
Many cities and states have tried to address the affordability barrier by setting up e-Bike rebate programs— the latest count shows that well over 100 have been set up in the last 10 years. But these popular rebate programs are inevitably over-subscribed— tough luck if you weren’t one of the few lottery winners or didn’t sign up in time.
But there’s good news. Upway’s new report offers hope for prospective e-Bike owners and cities looking to promote sustainable transportation alternatives: the used e-Bike marketplace. Using data from Upway, an online marketplace for refurbished e-Bikes in the US and several European countries, this first-of-its-kind report shows that certified pre-owned e-Bikes offer greater discounts— about 2 to 6 times larger— than typical e-Bike rebate programs. It’s also easier to access the savings from Upway— making a purchase isn’t limited by income qualifications, and there isn’t a finite supply of government-subsidized rebates.
Upway significantly lowers the barriers to new e-Bike ownership
As discussed above, the high price tag of electric bikes is what keeps most potential buyers away. But certified pre-owned marketplaces like Upway offer a significant discount that typically outweighs even generous rebates from city or state governments.
Our report revealed that potential e-Bike users have additional concerns. While more than half are hesitant due to pedal-assist bikes being too expensive (54%), they are also worried about not using them enough after purchase (44%), traffic safety (41%), maintenance (34%), battery range (32%), and battery safety risks (27%).
Our report revealed that potential e-Bike users have additional concerns. While more than half are hesitant due to pedal-assist bikes being too expensive (54%), they are also worried about not using them enough after purchase (44%), traffic safety (41%), maintenance (34%), battery range (32%), and battery safety risks (27%).
And among individuals who did purchase a new e-Bike but considered purchasing a pre-owned model, they were most preoccupied with concerns about reliability (34%) and the condition (32%) of used electric bikes. This consumer context is why the “certification” component of the pre-owned market is so important, ensuring product quality and inspiring buyer confidence.
Certified pre-owned e-Bikes are incredibly reliable
Implementing strong repair protocols, such as Upway’s 50-point inspection process, results in high reliability. Upway’s data shows that certified pre-owned e-Bikes’ reliability is on par with that of new e-Bikes— in both cases, the overwhelming majority are sold without any warranty claims within the one-year warranty period.
E-Bike owners are satisfied & offer buying advice
Insights from our survey of a representative sample of US adults show that e-Bike owners are largely satisfied with their purchase, considering electric bikes as a worthwhile investment and a practical form of transportation.
Many people warn potential buyers about the perils of purchasing from unvetted third parties. To avoid buying a poor-quality or malfunctioning electric bike, recommendations included seeing and testing the bike in person, vetting the seller, checking the mileage and other metrics, ensuring it isn’t stolen, and performing an all-around inspection. Upway’s rigorous inspection process and history report address each of these concerns.
Here are the main takeaways from the survey:
- Many consumers already own or are interested in purchasing an e-Bike
- Current e-Bike owners are satisfied with their purchases
- Primary barriers for prospective e-Bike owners are cost and reliability concerns
- E-Bike owners encourage buying used, but caution buyinga used e-Bike from unvetted third parties
Inside Upway: Refurbishment, reliability, and value
Upway was founded to provide a professionalized alternative within the secondhand market for electric bikes. Beyond local listings and typical used bike retailers, Upway is a high-standard, transparent marketplace that brings the "Certified Pre-Owned" model to the electric bike industry.
Here’s how Upway refurbishes every electric bike:
Here’s how Upway refurbishes every electric bike:
- The 50-Point Inspection: Upway mechanics perform exhaustive diagnostics to scrutinize the structural integrity of the frame, braking precision, drivetrain health, and all safety-critical components, including tires, lights, and suspension.
- Electrical System Verification: Upway mechanics perform deep diagnostics on the battery and motor. By verifying capacity and system software, Upway ensures every bike is safe and functionally on par with a new model.
- Professional Restoration: Beyond simple tuning, Upway performs all necessary mechanical and electrical repairs, followed by a final professional cleaning and inspection before a bike is listed online for sale.
Upway removes the primary barriers to e-Bike adoption— reliability and cost— through industry-leading guarantees:
- 1-Year Warranty: Upway offers a comprehensive warranty against mechanical and electrical defects. If an issue arises, Upway’s support team facilitates repairs, often partnering with local bike shops for professional fixes.
- 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Upway’s money-back guarantee allows for easy returns and exchanges, giving riders total peace of mind.
To learn more insights into how Upway provides an affordable, reliable transportation option, read the full report.
Questions about the findings? Contact our Press Team for assistance at press@upway.shop
Questions about the findings? Contact our Press Team for assistance at press@upway.shop
Frequently Asked Questions
Who conducted the research?
Why should I trust this research?
This research was conducted by an independent researcher, Calvin Thigpen. The data was shared with Calvin through a data use agreement, which allowed Calvin to clean, process, and analyze the data without any involvement of Upway staff. Furthermore, Calvin conducted an independent poll of the US general public, using a survey instrument designed by Calvin and developed using questions previously used by other e-bike researchers.
The report’s findings are based on large sample sizes. The main findings rely on Upway’s US sales in 2025, which include over 7,500 e-bikes. The survey results are derived from a sample of over 400 American adults, balanced on gender and age to match overall population proportions, which provides statistics with a margin of error of +/- 5% with a 95% statistical confidence level.
Key Takeaways
- Cost is the biggest barrier—but certified pre-owned solves it: Affordability is the top hurdle. Upway’s certified pre-owned marketplace offers discounts 2–6x larger than typical rebate programs.
- Reliability concerns are real—but data shows parity with new bikes: Many prospective buyers worry about condition and battery safety. Certified pre-owned e-Bikes perform on par with new models during the one-year warranty period.
- Large potential for growth: Awareness of the certified pre-owned electric bike market and retailers like Upway is still quite low among potential buyers.
