A new electric bike could pay for itself in weeks.

Unless you are the owner of a car company, theres not a downside.

In urban and suburban areas, trips of this nature are often much faster by e-bike than by automobile.

Someone riding a bike in a busy city.

Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel

“Will Stewart, an advocate for e-bike adoption and bike industry insider, told Lifewire via email.

Thats the step we have to overcome to make it make cycling the default.

Regular bikes are cheaper and lighter and are one of the best ways to get around a city.

The Globe cargo ebike from Specialized.

Specialized

Specialized

But once youve gotten into the habit, wont you still need a car?

If you live in a city, then the easy answer is no.

Specializeds newGlobe range of ebikesavailable beginning next yearis built to replace cars for urban dwellers.

Someone riding an ebike with a basket of vegetables on the back.

Westend61 / Getty Images

These electric cargo bikes are fat-tired, long-wheelbase load carriers with electric assist.

But there are already plenty of cargo bikes available, electric or not.

A cargo bike is designed to be stable under load.

Whatever youre carrying, its either between the wheels or slung down low.

you could stow groceries in baskets and buckets, mount seats on the back for carrying kids, etc.

you might even hook up a trailer.

Outside the US, bikes are used for all kinds of things.

Infrastructure

One big challenge for new cyclists is the aspect of danger.

and want to take it out on you.

But its really not so bad.

Westend61 / Getty Images

The single biggest change that cities can make is to put in bike lanes.

“Two factors have a big impact on the ability to cycle on a daily basis.

One is the presence of cycle lanes.

Sydney and Beijing are great because there are bike lanes everywhere.

They are safe and fast for cyclists,” cycling advocate and bike commuterBilly Chantold Lifewire via email.

“The second, more important factor is motorists' awareness of cyclists.

Delivery vans even usually stop in the innermost traffic lane, leaving the bike lane free.

Switching to the bike is more of a mental flip than anything else.

But once youve done it, you wont want to go back.