Picture this: you invite your out-of-town friends to Asheville, take them down the new French Broad greenway + stop at The Wedge or Plēb Urban Winery for happy hour — all on 2 wheels.

And the best part? You don't even have to break a sweat. At a national level, e-bike usage has tripled since 2020, offering people a perfect, power-assisted way to get the gang together or just get from A to B.

Two e-bikers enjoy a rainbow after a damp ride along the French Broad greenway. | Photo via @flyingbiketours

Ashevillians are also poised to see that trajectory continue at a local level. In 2019, the City of Asheville commissioned a feasibility study that recommended the city adopt an e-bike share system over the next 5 years — and the last we’ve heard the city is deliberating the details with the Bicycle Pedestrian Task Force + Multimodal Transportation Commission.

While we’re waiting on a public bike share program, here are some rental spots where you can pedal in style now.

Note: The legal age to operate electric bikes is 16 years old.

The Flying Bike Tours | 225 Coxe Ave.
- ⏰: Available 24 hours, book online in advance
- 💵: $19.50 per hour, $75 per half day, $125 per full day

Asheville E-Bikes | 70 Woodfin Pl.
- ⏰: Available 24 hours, book online in advance
- 💵: $59 for 4 hours, $69 for full day, $128-423 for overnight rentals that range from 2-7 days
Asheville Custom E-bikes | 342 Depot St.
- ⏰: Available 24 hours, book online in advance
- 💵: $39 for 2 hours, $59 for half day, $89 for full day

Ready to purchase? We’ve got recs for local suppliers too:

Asheville Bicycle Co. | 1000 Merrimon Ave.
Youngblood Bicycles | 233 Merrimon Ave.
Motion Makers Bicycle Shop | 878 Brevard Rd.
Liberty Bicycles | 1378 Hendersonville Rd.
Beer City Bikes | 897 Riverside Dr.
Pedego Asheville | 225 Coxe Ave.

Bonus: On Sat., Oct. 16, from 1-3 p.m., you can also take a test ride of Buzz Bicycles e-bikes at this Bhramari Brewery pop-up event.