Two years ago, on a family trip to Switzerland, my wife and I rented two electric-assisted mountain bikes, or e-MTBs, to tackle some steep trails near the Matterhorn. The salesperson said, in no uncertain terms, that the new e-MTBs were the way of the future, and we should give them a try. So we did.
I’ve hesitated to write much about e-bikes, because I’ve had mixed feelings about them. But change is hard, and the reality is that, as the salesperson said, e-bikes appear here to stay.
Our Swiss Ride
As we approached the first steep trail and I squeezed the trigger to get power behind my own inertia, the thrust was thrilling. “This is the way,” I said to my wife, as we both chuckled at the ease with which we flew up the steep trail.
But the bikes were heavy, and as we approached the downhill sections and switchbacks, it was daunting to stay on course and not lose control. My wife really did not like that part. We walked the bikes for quite a distance before the trail leveled out and she felt comfortable navigating the final stretch back into town.
When we returned to Minneapolis, I headed to my favorite trails at Theodore Wirth Regional Park on my trusty whip. With no electricity and only my own legs for the rolling terrain and sharp switchbacks, I was sweating hard after my first lap and couldn’t wait to do another. But, near the end of my ride, my legs were worked. I thought back to Switzerland and wished I had a thrust of power to take me the five miles home. Oh, well, I managed to get home…sore legs and all.
Open Streets Lyndale
Fast forward to last summer. We were invited to participate in the annual Open Streets event along Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis. Open Streets is a city initiative that transforms major streets like Lyndale into car-free spaces for a day, allowing people to walk or bike as they explore parks and businesses along the street. Our firm had a booth representing Bike Law.
We decided to do an e-bike raffle as a way to engage people and teach them about the work Bike Law is doing to protect cyclists. My same fears and hesitations bubbled up again; I wondered if giving an e-bike away would erode traditional bike commuting. Still, I wanted to accept change and encourage bike commuting. We went ahead with the giveaway.
The raffle winner, Martha Tortsensen, was beyond excited to win. Martha, at the time a Ph.D. student in ecology (now a graduate and teacher), had started doing her daily 10-mile commute on her Fiji dual-sport bike a couple years earlier, after her partner encouraged her to try riding instead of driving. Now, she uses the area trails extensively, for everything from errands to social get-togethers.
I had the chance to interview Martha almost a year after she picked up her prize to see what her commute was like on her new e-bike. The great news? It has encouraged her to bike more than she had been, even with her interest in other outdoor pursuits like running and cross-country skiing.
I am taking a bit of Martha’s enthusiasm and using it to inform my evolving view of e-bikes. If they get more people out of cars and onto trails and bike paths, they can be a big win. I appreciate any barriers that can be overcome to encourage a stronger bike culture in our state, and I am grateful for Martha’s candid and thoughtful responses to my questions. Here is our interview.
Interview with Martha Tortsensen
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself?
A: I am a lifelong Twin Cities resident! I grew up in Saint Paul and I now live in the Tangletown neighborhood of Minneapolis with my partner. I recently finished a Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of Minnesota. Throughout the past year, I have also been teaching Ecology courses at Macalester College and Carleton College. When I’m not working, I enjoy running, cross-country skiing, knitting, and tending to our garden!
Q: Were you a bike commuter all your life or when did you start?
A: I have not always been a bike commuter! When I started grad school, I moved into a house around 5 miles away. I imagined that this was close enough for me to bike to work, but for the first 2 year I always drove. My partner really encouraged me to try out bike commuting. He helped me pick out a bike and figure out a good route. My bike ride to and from work became a favorite part of my day! I still drive to work sometimes, but really enjoy biking as a form of transportation!
Q: What kind of bike did you ride to Macalester before you won the e-bike?
A: I have a Fuji dual-sport bike.
Q: Talk about the Open Streets event, and what about that event that motivated you to attend and stop by the Bike Law tent?
A: I really enjoy seeing my neighbors out and about, which is a lot easier when people are not in their cars! The Open Streets Lyndale event seemed like a fun way to get out into my community and enjoy a nice day! I have seen Bike Law at a bunch of community events (notably, Bike Law sponsored the bike parking at the Loppet World Cup at Wirth!) and stopped by the Bike Law tent to learn about how they support cyclists in the Twin Cities. I also like entering raffles!
Q: Share with us your experience riding on the Mpls/St. Paul trails and what you like about them?
A: When I started biking more, about 3 years ago, I was really not a confident cyclist. I felt (and still feel!) nervous about sharing the road with cars. This was part of what held me back from using my bike as a form of transportation. It was really helpful to start charting out routes and realize how extensive the network of separated bike paths and bike boulevards is! I enjoy biking for fun on the Grand Rounds as well as a way to get to work, run errands, and get to restaurants, and social events. It is possible to get to so many places on bike infrastructure that makes me feel safe! One of my other favorite things about riding on the Mpls/St. Paul trails is seeing so many other people enjoying them! It is fun to share the trails with kids, commuters, and other neighbors enjoying our beautiful city!
Q: Share with us how far you commute – how much is trails? How much is on city streets?
A: My commute to Macalester is about 10 miles. I have 2 routes that I use that are both almost exclusively on separated bike paths. I either take Bryant to the Green Way to the River Road and then up Summit or Minnehaha Creek to the River Road and then up Summit.
Q: How has the e-bike changed your riding experience and commuting?
A: The big difference is that commuting is less tiring on an e-bike. I enjoy the exercise that comes with biking, but sometimes at the end of the work day I am really tired and just want to get home! It is really nice to be able to use the pedal assist to speed up my trip down the green way and power up hills! Having a less tiring bike commute encourages me to bike to work more frequently.
Q: Do you still ride your pedal bike?
A: I do! I use my pedal bike when I’m riding for fun or taking shorter trips.
Q: What is your favorite thing about biking?
A: I have so many favorite things! I think my favorite thing is really getting to see all of the other cyclists and feeling like a part of that community. I enjoy seeing people of all ages using their bikes to get all sorts of places! Being in a car often makes me feel irritated, stressed, and disconnected from my neighbors (I don’t see people, just cars!). When I am on my bike, I feel energized and connected to my community! I also really enjoy making transportation choices that are gentler on the planet.
Q: How often do you commute to school on your bike?
A: I have not taken the leap to being a winter bike commuter and I kind of take an approach to not letting perfect be the enemy of the good. During the warmer months, I bike commute 2-3 times a week. I hope to continue increasing the proportion of trips I take using my bike!
Q: Do you come from a bike family?
A: Not particularly! I learned how to ride a bike as a kid and always had a bike that fit me. We would very occasionally bike around as a family, but it was really not a major form of transportation. My partner is an avid cyclist and does come from a bike family. He has really encouraged and supported me in becoming a ‘bike person’.
Q: Anything else that would be helpful to know about pros/cons of owning an e-bike?
A: I think e-bikes are a great way to reduce barriers to using a bike as a major form of transportation. If showing up sweaty to work, the time it takes to bike, or just a particularly big hill are barriers to biking, an e-bike can be a great solution!
Dan Brazil is a seasoned personal injury and Minneapolis bicycle crash attorney. Located in Uptown, Minneapolis, he serves bicyclists throughout Minnesota who has suffered injuries in bike crashes.
Dan is not only the founder and principal attorney of Brazil Law Group; he is also an avid biker. A self-proclaimed “all-arounder,” Dan commutes via bike (in nicer weather!), mountain bikes, runs trails, rock climbs, practices yoga, and even surfs.
