It goes without saying that e-bikes are no longer a novelty. Once seen as a niche product for hobbyists, they’ve become a mainstream way to commute, haul groceries, or just get around without relying on a car. They flatten hills, stretch your range, and make cycling accessible to more people, whether that’s parents carrying kids, commuters ditching traffic, or older riders staying active.
In short, e-bikes are changing the way people all over the world move.
But not all e-bikes are created equal. The market has been flooded with cheap, uncertified imports that often cut corners on safety and performance. Then there are companies like Riese & Müller, a German brand known for building some of the most reliable and innovative e-bikes out there. They use high-end components, focus on sustainability with aluminum and recycled aluminum frames, and back their products with proper dealer networks. If you want an e-bike that lasts and won’t catch fire in your garage, this is the kind of brand you look at.
Photo by: Riese & Muller
And here’s where the story turns frustrating. Riese & Müller just told US retailers that they’re pausing shipments because of new import rules. Under Section 232, steel products from most countries are now hit with a 50% tariff. Even though R&M builds its frames out of aluminum, its bikes still include small steel parts like axles and bolts. Customs doesn’t make exceptions, so the entire value of the bike gets taxed. For a $7,000 e-bike, that could mean an extra $3,500 slapped on at the border.
It’s hard to overstate how utterly stupid this is. The rule was designed to protect US steel production, but instead it punishes companies making sustainable products that reduce car use and emissions. Riders pay more. Retailers are left with uncertainty. Brands that invest in quality and safety, like R&M, are forced to step back while the flood of sketchy imports continues. It’s bad for the environment, bad for public health, and bad for anyone who wants affordable, accessible transportation alternatives.
There are better ways to handle this. The government could classify e-bikes separately, recognizing that the steel content is tiny compared to the full product. Tariffs could target raw steel or large-volume industries, not mobility products that happen to include a few steel components. That would protect domestic steelmakers without kneecapping an industry that helps reduce traffic and carbon emissions, and makes mobility easier for everyone.
And so getting an e-bike just got a lot harder. Because if you’ve been thinking about picking up an e-bike to replace short car trips, your options just got slimmer and more expensive. And this isn’t just about Riese & Müller. Other trusted names, from folding bike makers like Brompton to cargo bike specialists like Yuba, are dealing with the same problem. The result is fewer good choices and higher prices, which only makes it harder for regular people to make the switch to two wheels.
If we’re serious about giving folks healthier ways to move and making cities more livable, the last thing we should be doing is taxing the bikes that actually work. Yet here we are.
