DENVER — The city of Denver has received more than 5,000 applications for its e-bike rebate program since May and is preparing to accept another round of applications on August 1. The program generated so much interest this month that the city’s website temporarily crashed. .

But now many bikers are wondering if Denver will be able to expand its already congested infrastructure quickly enough to accommodate this increase.

Denver7 spoke with David Millis, an avid e-biker who got back into the business with his wife at the start of the pandemic.

“We don’t even know what the price of gas is because we get less than 5,000 miles a year with our real motor vehicle,” Millis said, touting the benefits of e-bikes.

According to the City of Denver, e-bikes have been a game-changer for people, allowing them to reduce their car use and even get rid of second and third cars in some cases.

Millis wants to see more of his neighbors join him in the e-bike phenomenon. However, he says the city has taken too long to build the infrastructure needed to accommodate more bikers. He and other cyclists form the Denver Bicycle Lobby, advocating for better bicycle infrastructure throughout Denver.

“Our streets need to be accessible to more than cars,” he said. “They need to be safer for all of us. They must be accessible to everyone. »

In a poll conducted by the city of Denver, nearly 60 percent of respondents said they wanted to travel by bicycle, but were concerned about safety while doing so. Traffic-protected bike lanes and neighborhood bike lanes, in particular, are suggested for added safety, but not everyone is on board.

“The main obstacles, we hear, are usually local neighbors saying, ‘Wait, what do you mean, you want to change the street?’ Or, ‘What do you mean by we’re going to lose two street parking spots?’” Millis said. “We have supply chain crises, fuel crises, the planet is on fire – literally, in some cases – and d ‘other things. So, it seems like it would be a good time to speed up those plans, maybe reprioritize a bit.

The city set a goal in 2018 to build 125 miles of new bike lanes by 2023. So far, it says it has completed 103 miles. Among those completed in 2021 and 2022 are:

• Marion Street Parkway – Bayaud to Virginia Aves
• West 23rd Avenue from Federal to Speer Blvd overpass/Fishback Park
• 18th Street (downtown) from Curtis to Wynkoop
• 19th Street (Downtown) from Wynkoop to Stout
• West 13th Avenue from Platte River Trail to Mariposa Street

Bicycling magazine predicts that one million e-bikes will be sold in the United States this year, which is a 240% increase over last year.