E-bike buyers can't test ride before purchasing online

Over 70% of e-bikes in the US are sold online (direct-to-consumer brands like Rad Power, Lectric, Aventon), but unlike cars or traditional bikes, there is almost no test-ride infrastructure. So what? Buyers spend $1,000-$5,000 on a vehicle they've never ridden, based solely on YouTube reviews and spec sheets. So what? Fit, handling, weight distribution, and motor feel vary enormously between models — a bike that's perfect for a 5'4" rider is dangerous for a 6'2" rider, and no spec sheet conveys this. So what? Return rates for DTC e-bikes are 15-20%, but returning a 70-lb e-bike costs $100-200 in shipping, so most dissatisfied buyers just keep a bike that doesn't fit them. So what? They ride a poorly-fitted bike, develop back pain or wrist strain, and quit riding within 6 months — the bike ends up in the garage. So what? The e-bike that was supposed to replace car trips sits unused, and the buyer tells everyone e-bikes 'aren't worth it,' poisoning word-of-mouth for the entire category. This persists because DTC brands chose the online-only model specifically to avoid the cost of retail locations ($200K+/year per store), and building a dealer network requires capital and logistics infrastructure that venture-funded startups deprioritize versus growth spending.