In Defense of the Electric Bicycle, from the Bottom of a Steep Hill in San Francisco [The Atlantic]

Make no mistake, San Francisco loves bicycles. There's been a 71 percent increase in cycling (yes, 71 percent!) in the last five years in this city. Add in the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's"Connecting the City" project, which will provide miles of new bike lanes in the near future, a five-fold increase in bike rentals, and a long-awaited bike-sharing program launching this summer and you’ve got a city made for cycling, except for one thing  …

This:

One of many daunting hills in San Francisco (this one on Dolores Street). (Photo by Allison Arieff)

Most people cite safety concerns—and rightfully so—as the number one impediment to them getting on a bike. But in San Francisco, there’s another major obstacle standing in the way: With few exceptions, there are hardly any ways through our fair city that don’t involve considerable inclines (and the quads to tackle them).

[Keep reading at The Atlantic]