I recently had the chance to interview Micah Toll, well-known reporter at Electrek and founder of ebikeschool.com. We had a great conversation covering everything from Micah’s origins in the ebike world to the current state of the industry.
Micah shared how he started motorizing bikes back in 2008, first with a gas-powered setup and then switching to electric after a nudge from a friend in engineering school. That led to co-founding Pulse Motors, a startup focused on mid-drive ebikes, which unfortunately dissolved after some team stress around taking on investors. Micah then shifted to sharing his knowledge, writing a book on building ebikes, launching his Ebike School site and YouTube channel, and eventually joining Electrek in 2017 to expand their micromobility coverage.
We talked about his current bike collection—including his favorites, like the Priority Current Plus and the Rad Mission, which he keeps in various locations to fit his travel-filled lifestyle. On the industry front, we discussed the struggles Rad Power Bikes is facing with potential closure due to high payroll, overstocked parts, and post-pandemic declines. Micah put this in the broader context of challenging tariffs, increased competition from Chinese manufacturers, and an overall post-pandemic dip in ebike demand. He also recounted experiences visiting both low- and high-tech factories in China, debunking some myths about supervision and factory conditions.
Customer service was another big topic. Micah explained that purely Chinese brands tend to underestimate the importance of after-sales support to U.S. buyers, while U.S. brands like Lectric and Rad have improved but still struggle to keep up due to rapid growth.
We dove into Connecticut’s new ebike regulations and Micah’s support for a four-class system in the U.S., suggesting an intermediary “Class 4” for ebikes that go above 28 mph but shouldn’t be classified (or restricted) the same way as full-on motorcycles. He called for more balanced media coverage of ebike incidents, pointing out that negative headlines can lead to unfair bans, despite the immense benefits ebikes bring to people’s lives.
Micah gave his honest opinion on the new Rivian ebike, admiring the engineering but predicting commercial failure due to its high price point and the difficulty high-end ebikes face in the U.S. auto companies like Ford and Porsche may have brand power, but he thinks they struggle to sell ebikes at the volumes needed here.
He also explained his “Micah Toll Constant”—estimating most throttle ebike use at about 25 watt-hours per mile for real-world range calculations, with pedal assist closer to 15 watt-hours/mile. This helps cut through wildly optimistic manufacturer range claims.
Finally, Micah talked about his Ebikes for Good giveaway program, sharing powerful stories about how donated bikes have helped recipients gain independence, overcome hardships, and improve their lives. He wrapped up by previewing upcoming video projects on electric tractors, ATVs, and more.
Overall, it was a wide-ranging, insightful, and inspiring conversation with someone at the heart of the ebike movement.