VALENTINE, Neb. — Residents and visitors in Valentine have a new way to explore the town, the Cowboy Trail and the surrounding scenery: by renting an electric bike.

“It is the world’s most rural bike share station,” said ROAM Share CEO Benny Foltz.

ROAM Share, a nonprofit that operates several bike share locations across Nebraska, has run a program in Valentine for a few years. This year, the organization added e-bikes to the fleet.

“They are a class 1 pedal assist bike, so when you pedal the bike, they provide an assist up to 17 miles per hour. They make riding on the Cowboy Trail out to the Pedestrian Bridge a breeze,” Foltz said.

E-bike use has been growing nationwide, with U.S. sales nearly quadrupling from 2019 to 2022.

“They’re the fastest-growing trend in the bicycle industry. More than that, they’re really pushing bike share and bikes in general to be a form of transportation,” Foltz said.

Riders in Valentine can pay $10 for a two-hour rental or $30 for a monthly pass.

“The addition of the e-bikes is super amazing because it makes it easier to go out to the Cowboy Trail. The classic bikes are great, but the e-bikes are a great addition,” said Cherry County Tourism Director Regina Osburn.

Foltz said the new service offers multiple benefits.

“It’s healthy. It’s fun. You get outside,” he said.