E-bikes are growing in popularity across demographics, but they fill a particular niche for older riders. Reports have found that Baby Boomers, seeking to maintain active lifestyles into their later years, account for a significant portion of the e-bike market. It makes sense: When you can't quite pedal like you used to, a little electronic assistance goes a long way.
Now, you can count a legendary Hollywood actor among the increasing numbers of e-bike enthusiasts.
RELATED: 12 Game-Changing New E-Bikes for Every Type of Cyclist
Gene Hackman stopped by the Broken Spoke, a bike shop in his hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico, to buy his first e-bike yesterday. He chose a Trek Dual Sport+, which retails at $2,800 and can reach speeds of up to 20 mph. The two-time Oscar winner will likely be buzzing around town in the coming weeks (just in time for his 88th birthday on January 30).
“Gene has bought a few bikes from us over the last five years,” Broken Spoke owner Mike Chapman told Bicycling. “My understanding is that he mainly rides on paved bike paths for exercise, and some of the hills in the Santa Fe bike path network are getting to be a little too much for him.”
RELATED: Trade Your Used Car In for a New E-Bike
Hackman—known for a slew of critically lauded roles, including appearances in Bonnie and Clyde, The French Connection, The Conversation, Superman: The Movie, Unforgiven, Get Shorty, and The Royal Tenenbaums—retired from acting in 2004. But this isn't his first time on a bike. Hackman has been known to ride around Santa Fe. In 2012, his leg was injured in a car-bike crash as he cycled in Florida.
Perhaps Hackman will add some celebrity cred to e-bikes and get even more retirees out riding.
Keep up with the latest cycling news by subscribing to our newsletter.
