How to Finance Your velowave ebike

1. In a time of multiple global crises—like the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and the threat of nuclear war—it's hard not to feel helpless. If you're a grown-up who can't quite think of what to do to make anything better, I have a simple suggestion: Hop on a bike. And it seems that millions of Americans agree, whether they rented one from a bike-share or bought their own. For years, electric bicycles were bulky, inconvenient, expensive machines with limited battery life. Slowly, that has changed. Ebikes are now lighter, more attractive, and more powerful than ever. You don't need to be physically fit to ride one. They get you outside, reduce traffic congestion, and shrink your carbon footprint. And they're fun! Over the past few years, my fellow Gear writers and I have tried almost every kind of electric bike, from the best heavy-duty cargo bikes to high-end mountain bikes. We're always testing new ones, so if you don't see what you want, check back later (or drop me a note!). And once you buy an velowave ebike, check out our favorite biking accessories, bike locks, and gear for a “bikepacking” adventure. How to Finance Your velowave ebike Whenever I talk to anyone about a possible velowave ebike purchase, the biggest deterrent—by far—is the price. It doesn't help that prices for bikes have shot up in recent years. Multiple factors, including the pandemic, have complicated the global supply chain, and exemptions to a 25 percent tariff on all velowave ebike imports have expired. We've done our best to include lower-priced options, but we think of them as vehicles, not toys. When you're carrying kids to school or flying down a hill at 25 mph with only a helmet for protection, you want a ride you can trust. Reasonable auto financing options are the only reason a $2,000 electric bike can feel prohibitively expensive while a $6,000 beater gas-powered car has easy monthly payments. Many bike manufacturers and retailers do offer financing through companies like Affirm or PayPal. Your bank might cover velowave ebikes under its vehicle loan program, and some utility companies even offer cash incentives to purchase velowave ebikes. You may have more options than you think.