A Dutchman with a dislike for cycling, is struck with a mysterious illness. He can barely move. Doctors at Johns Hopkins tell him: The only cure is to exercise.
He rides an e-bike across America, battling mud, fallen trees, and raging storms—while confronting the question: are e-bikes really just toys for “Fat, Lazy Americans?”
Read the Washington Post Article
What begins as a personal struggle becomes also a sustainability journey, as he discovers the efficiency of e-bikes and how this new form of mobility empowers and connects communities, from veterans to individuals living with disabilities.
And somewhere along the way, he becomes an American himself, failing in his quest to find anyone who truly hates e-bikes, as he rides 4,685+ miles from Washington, DC to San Francisco along the historic Lincoln Highway, in support of peripheral neuropathy research and education.
"Only Lazy Americans E-Bike" is a personal, funny, and emotional documentary that follows Dr. Gregory F. Maassen, founder of E-Bike Lovers, as he pedals 4,685.8 miles from Washington, DC, to San Francisco.
2026 Documentary Screening Tour
We are e-biking across the United States from March 1 to July 15, 2026, to show the film and connect with communities.
BE PART OF THE JOURNEY
Click on play to see an animation of the tour
We will show the film in select cities across the United States in 2026 as part of the Johns Hopkins-Merkin Center E-bike Tour. If you are interested in a screening, please contact Ms. Lale Akca of Johns Hopkins via Linkedin or Dr. Gregory Maassen of E-bike Lovers via Linkedin.
Featuring
About the Team
Ambassador Michael S. Owen - Co- Producer
Michael S. Owen is a retired US Ambassador. During his 30 years as a Foreign Service Officer he worked in numerous countries across Africa and Asia. Now that he’s back home, he’s delighting in traveling around his own country and producing travel documentaries. He recently produced "After Ike," an award-winning PBS documentary following Ike Eisenhower's 1919 convoy along the Lincoln Highway.
Gregory F. Maassen - Producer & Director
Gregory Maassen is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with over two decades of experience in editing and audio-visual production. His work spans diverse assignments across Asia, Southern Africa, Europe, and the United States, showcasing his ability to tell compelling stories across cultures and contexts.
Gregory earned a Master’s in TV and Film Production at American University (2024) and a PhD in Business Administration (1999). As a Fulbright Scholar, he draws on a rich academic and professional background to bring a unique perspective to his work. His first feature PBS documentary, www.after-ike.com, made waves on the film festival circuit.
He is the founder of Wandel Guides LLC, the production company for the "Only Lazy Americans E-bike" documentary, and Board Chair and a teaching artist at Docs in Progress (Davinci Resolve Editing).
Contact Gregory via LinkedIn.
When we began filming “Only Lazy Americans E-Bike,” we knew this film would be a personal project.
The film’s title was inspired by a stereotype that we wanted to confront. In an article, an environmentalist claims that e-bikes are “another toy for fat, lazy Americans.”
On the road, while searching for the environmentalist, we encountered the opposite of that prejudice as we saw how new technology opened doors for people who found innovative ways to move forward and overcome mental and physical limitations, including veterans with amputations and firefighters commemorating the 9/11 attacks.
Each of their voices became a mirror, reflecting to the audience that this journey was not only about physical resilience but also about community and a sense of belonging.
With this film, the team wanted to capture both endurance and empathy. It is not simply a record of miles pedaled, but of stories shared and perceptions challenged. My hope as Director is that the film invites audiences to see e-bikes not as shortcuts, but as instruments of transformation—tools that can restore agency, connection, and life.
I believe that we have successfully demonstrated the potential of e-bikes in restoring health, mobility, and dignity.
What drew me forward on the road—and what ultimately shaped the documentary—were the people I met who showed me. My own 4,685-mile ride from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco was grueling. Carrying cinema equipment across storms, mud, and endless climbs with damaged nerves tested me every day. But what stayed with me most were the encounters with veterans rebuilding after trauma, seniors reclaiming independence, and advocates fighting for accessibility. Their stories gave meaning to the miles and transformed my ride into something much larger than a personal recovery.
Riding the Lincoln Highway from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco gave the film historical grounding, but for me it meant more: it marked my own passage into America. I began the ride as a Dutch citizen and ended it as an American.
Brian McCotter - Creative Director
Brian McCotter is an accomplished creative director recognized for transforming ideas into compelling, high-impact stories. With deep expertise in strategic communications, corporate communications, as well as entertainment, he provides a unique perspective on building narratives that resonate and strengthen audience relationships.
Blending the art of storytelling with strategic insight, Brian has developed integrated campaigns and multimedia experiences that engage audiences across digital, social, and broadcast platforms. His background in short-form video production, scriptwriting, and unscripted television gives him a distinctive ability to craft content that connects—authentically and memorably.
Brian holds a B.A. from Duke University and an M.A. from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. Beyond his professional work, he is passionate about African travel, English bulldogs, and Land Rover Defenders—reflecting his curiosity, character, and spirit of adventure.
Contact Brian via LinkedIn.
Adele Schmidt - Co-Producer
Adele Schmidt is an award-winning film producer, educator, and consultant. She has produced eight long-format, award-winning documentaries, all broadcast on national public television.
As a co-founder of Rockville, MD-based production company Zeitgeist Media LLC, she is currently producing a series of documentaries on progressive rock music. She is also the co-founder of Docs in Progress and a professor at American University.
Contact Adele via LinkedIn.
Documentary Screenshots
Why this Documentary?
The film looks at how technology, community, and determination can reshape lives—and what it means to move forward when the world says you can’t.
What is the Impact?
This isn’t just about e-bikes. It’s about recovery, resilience, and the freedom to find your own way—one e-bike pedal stroke at a time.
E-bike Tour Photos
