Electric bikes are in the 2016 Rio Olympics!

Okay, they are not being used directly in a competitive sport, but one is being used in the track cycling keirin event to set the pace for the competitive track cyclists.

The pace cycle (usually a gas powered moped or motorcycle) sets a pace for the racing cyclists and gradually increases from 25 to 50 km/h for 5 1/2 laps when they pull to the side and let the racing track cyclists duke it out for the remaining 2 1/2 laps.

It can be a very exciting style of bike racing with high speed crashes on the steep embankments of the track! [Read more…]