What you’re looking at is pure joy.

Electric bicycle advocates and the e-bike curious gathered outside the Connecticut State Capitol on Wednesday to ask and answer questions.

Several exhibitors and local bike shops, including Hartford’s BiCi Co., provided e-bike test rides, and did people ever take advantage of the opportunity. State Senator Will Haskell and State Senator Christine Cohen were among those spotted trying out electric bikes.

I heard nobody get off a bike and say “well, that was meh.”

For those who have not tried e-bikes, this is the quickest way I can explain their purpose: it means pedaling up a hill instead of pedaling hard up a hill and gasping for breath while doing so, perhaps having to get off and push.

I took the opportunity to ask if local bike shops’ mechanics were able to provide maintenance and repairs. If the electric bicycle is a person’s vehicle, the last thing they need is to find out that the only person who can handle repairs is out of state. Short answer: yes, Hartford’s shop can handle maintenance.

Superpedestrian was also on site, letting people try out the electric Link Scooters. An electric school bus was up in the parking lot; the downside to electric school buses is that if widely adopted, I would lose my backup alarm clock in the morning.

Kate Rozen displayed her rain cloak and other gear, not to sell, but to demystify how she rides even when it’s not 72ºF and sunny. Pictured: a jacket that she says makes you light up “like an alien” at night.

CTrides was also on hand to help people consider commute options beyond the obsolete single-occupancy vehicle mode. They’re great about answering all the “what if” questions people like to toss out there when challenged to give up (or spend less time in) their cars.

Why all the fuss?

E-bikes have a much lower carbon footprint than gas and electric cars/SUVs. Because of the electric assist, people do not need to be certified athletes to ride. This makes cycling more accessible to those who are older, disabled, or have other health conditions, like asthma. This can expand a person’s range, especially when hills are involved. Having a boost makes a difference at intersections. Cargo e-bikes can transport multiple people, whatever random crap you bought at the hardware store, bags of rocks. You do you.

For those who do not have a license, do not want to drive, do not want to waste their money owning a car, and/or do not want the hassle of dealing with car maintenance, an e-bike can make for ideal transportation.

The problem? These are not inexpensive. They cost far less than legally owning and maintaining a car, but they ain’t cheap.

This is why advocates have been pushing for an expansion of CHEAPR, to reduce to price of e-bikes through rebates. SB4 recently made it out of committee, and maybe today’s show-and-tell event convinced a few legislators of this mode’s value.

Don’t miss this video of Majority Leader Jason Rojas. . . watch til the end: