Industry Veteran Hans Rey Calls for Clearer E-Bike Definitions in Open Letter to the Bicycle Industry

Industry veteran Hans Rey has issued an open letter to the bicycle industry, specifically calling for clearer, more unified definitions and classifications for electric bicycles. Published via Pinkbike, Rey’s missive highlights the current ambiguity surrounding various e-bike categories, from pedal-assist Class 1 to throttle-equipped Class 3, and their implications for trail access, regulation, and consumer understanding. His appeal targets manufacturers, advocacy groups, and retailers to establish consistent standards.

This call to action arrives as e-bike sales continue their meteoric rise, creating significant friction on multi-use trails and within traditional cycling communities. Rey, a legendary trials rider and mountain biking pioneer, brings considerable weight to the discussion, having witnessed decades of evolution in off-road cycling. His intervention underscores a growing concern that without clear industry-led definitions, external regulatory bodies or even outright bans could become the default, potentially stifling innovation and access rather than clarifying it.

Rey’s intervention is a timely reminder that the industry’s rapid growth in the e-bike sector demands proactive self-governance. Without it, the future of trail access for all riders, electric or otherwise, remains needlessly uncertain.