Have you been on a public trail or bike path recently? There’s a lot of impressively fast, yet suspiciously casual cyclists out and about these days. They’re taking advantage of electric motors that drastically increase the amount of power that comes from the pedals, and people in the military have noticed.
These e-bikes are incredibly convenient. They have minimal maintenance requirements, efficient batteries and the option to ride one like a conventional bicycle. If you had to get across a combat zone in a hurry without a JLTV or Osprey, wouldn’t you prefer one of these bikes over your combat boots?
You’re not alone. These vehicles have worked their way into the military arsenal, and there’s a chance we could see more of them in the future.
Read Next: A Reddit Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the JLTV
The State of Modern E-Bikes
The last few years have seen fairly rapid progress in the e-bike market. Power output, battery capacity and overall weight are improving significantly.
Indiana-based Recon currently builds e-bikes for law enforcement and military clients. The company’s range of tactical bikes can hit top speeds in excess of 30 mph and travel more than 75 miles on a single charge. They’re robust enough to survive hard use on rugged terrain -- and even tow a trailer loaded down with equipment.
There are new contenders, as well. Hi Power Cycles, an electric bicycle manufacturer in California, created HPC Defense to offer military users an electric dirt bike.
Want speed? The Revolution W is capable of 80 mph. Want a tactical advantage? The Typhoon can cover 100 miles without any pedal power from the rider, has a waterproof throttle, and the battery is wrapped in kevlar ballistic protection.
Meet the Combat Cyclists Around the World
Plenty of people have noticed the tactical advantages of combining pedal power and electric motors. Several European militaries are either testing or fielding e-bikes.
In 2023, The Defense Post reported that the British army was testing high-powered electric bikes capable of achieving a top speed of 50 mph. That particular model used an electric direct-drive setup with no chain or gears, which made it nearly silent as it skirted roads in favor of terrain that would be harder for an enemy force to keep tabs on.
The Daily Mail reported that not only could British troops ride electric bikes into combat, they could use the ultralight vehicles to rapidly deploy anti-tank weapons. It’s a lesson learned from -- you guessed it -- Ukraine.
A year later, Inside EVs reported France was looking into a similar arrangement. The test included contenders from the French manufacturer LMX: the 56 electric-assist bicycle and the 161 electric dirt bike.
That isn’t to say the plan is free of risk. The electronic components inside e-bikes are also common in drones, which means that supplying them can get tricky. According to the Telegraph, at least one manufacturer has delayed production because drone warfare in Ukraine is consuming those components.
The Military’s Love/Hate Relationship with Motorcycles
On one hand, I’m optimistic that electric bicycles will have a place in the U.S. military. After all, combat motorcycles and bicycles are nothing new. They’ve hunted for Pancho Villa, delivered critical intelligence during both world wars and even served with a few lucky Reconnaissance Marines.
On the other hand, Uncle Sam never seems to keep two-wheeled vehicles around very long. They get rushed into service, do their duty and get sidelined almost before the kickstand is down.
Given that track record, we have reason to be skeptical that bicycles with a battery are going to make a big -- let alone lasting -- impact. Hope isn’t lost, though.
New Roles for New Technology
If you’ve been following the Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle, you know that there’s a place for light, fast, efficient and agile vehicles on the battlefields of tomorrow.
Not only do e-bikes fit the bill, they fit on the back of an ISV. Imagine how capable a team of infantrymen would be if they could deploy in an ISV, then split a pair off on e-bikes.
As service members increasingly rely on electronic devices and small drones, an e-bike seems like a good way to deliver fresh batteries.
But let’s set aside the U.S. military’s on-again, off-again fondness for two-wheeled combat vehicles. These e-bikes have potential in support roles in garrison.
According to 2020 reporting from the Air National Guard, Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base in Missouri has a new civilian police force that patrols the installation on electric bicycles in addition to conventional police cruisers.
It isn’t a one-off case, either. The Department of Defense has shown an interest in military EVs in recent years.
The Low Speed Electric Vehicle offers a cheaper, more energy-efficient alternative to gas-powered government vehicles. It’s not fancy, but it does the job when all you need to do is get across base while obeying a 25-mph speed limit.
One of the hang-ups with switching to EVs is the need for expensive charging stations. Unlike battery-powered cars, e-bikes can charge efficiently from a wall outlet or small solar panel.
While I wouldn’t want to make a run to supply at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota in January on an electric bicycle, biking to a command meeting at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California would frankly be a nice break from the workday.
If the Department of Defense is serious about saving money and reducing energy consumption, it needs to look seriously at how many government minivans and sedans are being purchased and maintained to shuttle service members across base a mile or two at a time.
I Want to Ride My Bicycle
Only time will tell whether the U.S. military adds some form of electrified two-wheeled transportation to its stable of vehicles.
While they have a limited capacity for cargo and increase the challenges of charging batteries on the battlefield, electric bikes and motorcycles offer an undeniable edge when employed properly -- not to mention they’re practically free, compared to what the Pentagon pays for every other vehicle.
I suspect the service members who fight on their feet would welcome the idea. Just ask them 10 miles into a company ruck march.
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