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How Do Electric Bikes Work: A Guide to the Basics

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E-bikes are incredible inventions that started becoming popular in the 1990s. They are a complex combination of both mechanical and electrical engineering. Although you don’t need to know every single aspect of how an e-bike works, it’s a good idea to understand some of the basic principles behind the e-bike if you own one or are thinking of buying one.

An electric bike works much like a regular bicycle. However, e-bikes have electrical components, a motor, and a battery, that assist the rider in moving forward. The electric power helps a rider manage hills and wind as well as to ride longer and farther (without getting over-tired).

This article will go into detail about how an e-bike functions as both a mechanical vehicle, as well as an electric motorized machine.

The Basics of How an Electric Bike Works

An electric bike uses electrical energy to move the bike forward, either entirely on its own or with the assistance of the rider. An e-bike will have the same structure as a normal bike but will also have a battery and a motor.

I’ll explain the details of each component of the electric bike in more detail below, but here are some of the basics.

An e-bike is first and foremost a bicycle

Because an e-bike also operates as a normal bike, here are the basics of how your e-bike moves.

As you pedal, the rotational motion turns a set of gears, known as the cranks, which are attached to a chain. The chain is also attached to a set of gears in the middle of the rear wheel.

As the cranks turn and move the chain, the chain will rotate the gears on the rear wheel. Because these gears are attached to the rear wheel, the wheel will also begin to rotate, propelling the bike forwards. 

How does the motor help an electric bike move?

Electric bikes can move in one of three ways.

You can choose to ride your electric bike without the battery or motor, using it as a normal bike as I explained above. This works either by not turning on the battery at all or by setting the pedal assist gears to the “off” or level “0” power assistance.

This isn’t recommended on any amount of an incline because electric bikes are naturally much heavier than regular bikes, making them harder to ride. But you might want to do this if you’re going downhill or riding on a fairly level surface, either to get more exercise or to conserve your battery. Further, having this option allows you to still get home if you run out of battery, as you can pedal it like a normal bike.

The most common way an e-bike will move is by pedaling with the power turned on. With most motors, the act of pedaling engages the power in the motor, so you don’t have to actively turn on the power assistance. This motor contributes to either the rotation of the chain or the wheel to make riding the bike easier.

Usually, you can cycle through multiple settings that alter how much assistance the motor provides. Some people prefer to use minimal assistance to spare their battery and increase their workout. Others prefer to use maximum assistance to make the ride easier and more enjoyable.

The final way of moving the electric bike is with a throttle. This means you don’t have to pedal the bike, you just have to twist the throttle on the handlebar to make the bike move forward. The motor, again, either moves the chain or rotates the tire, but this time without any help from you.

The more you twist the throttle, the faster the electric bike will go. It’s similar to a motorbike but won’t go nearly as fast. However, it’s not common to have an e-bike that only has a throttle function. More commonly e-bikes will have both a throttle and pedal-assist motor, or they’ll just be pedal assisted.

So do you have to pedal to make it work?

If you have an electric bike that has a throttle, you can choose not to pedal the bike at all. However, this does drain your battery very quickly. If you have a pedal-assisted e-bike, also known as a ‘pedelec’, you must pedal for the motor to be engaged.

Find out more about how to use a throttle and pedal assist here:

Does the e-bike charge itself?

Technology exists for an e-bike to charge itself while you ride, but this is not a very popular or common feature. The main way the bike can recharge its battery is by using ‘regenerative’ braking. A sensor will detect when you are using the brakes, trigger the motor into a reverse mode, and then use the excess energy to charge the battery.

Unfortunately, this technology would make the battery component of the bike significantly heavier and only 5-10% of the energy lost while braking can be fed back into the battery.

This means you would get 1 extra mile out of your battery on a 10-mile trip. Because of the extra weight of the recharging components, this small recharge is generally not worth it. Therefore, most e-bikes don’t have this feature.

I go into depth about e-bike batteries and their charge further on in this article.

Do you need to change gears on an electric bike?

Some e-bikes don’t come with gears and these are known as single-speed electric bikes. In saying that, most e-bikes do have gears included. Most commonly, e-bikes will have 5-8 gears to cycle through as you pedal.

So if you have a single-speed electric bike, you won’t have to change any gears. If you have an e-bike that does have gears, you’ll want to change them as you ride, starting in the lowest gear (which is paradoxically, the highest-numbered gear).

You’ll want to shift gears because riding in a consistent low gear will make your motor work harder and drain your battery. And riding in high gear (the lower-numbered gears) will make it much easier to pedal.

Most people prefer to have gears on their electric bikes so they have more control over how much effort they put into the ride. This also allows them to control how much battery is used and makes it easier to ride if they run out of battery.

Shimano 7-Gear Shifter on a Rad Mini E-Bike
7-Speed gear “thumb” shifter

How do I change gears on an e-bike?

In terms of changing gears, think of an electric bike as a normal bike. Start pedaling in the lowest gear and change gears in increments as you pedal.

Depending on your electric bike’s type of gears, this is done either by turning the gear lever or switching it with your thumb, both of which are usually found on the right handlebar. If you are coming to a stop, try to shift down the gears as you do.

Learn everything you need to know about shifting gears here:

How to change the level of pedal assistance on an electric bike

Changing the level of assistance that the motor provides is another way of controlling how much effort you put into the ride and how much battery power is used.

On the left handlebar of a pedal assist electric bike, you should find buttons that control the pedal assist system (PAS). Sometimes this is found on a central control panel, but each manufacturer is different so you might need to find where these are on your particular e-bike.

These buttons will cycle through different levels of assistance that the motor will provide. On the lowest setting, you’ll be doing most of the work, using very little battery power. On the highest setting, you’ll be doing minimal work, but your battery will drain very quickly.

On a throttle-assisted electric bike changing your speed simply involves using the throttle, typically by twisting. A small twist will provide minimal assistance from the motor and a larger twist will give you more assistance. The difference between this and a PAS is that you don’t have to pedal at all with a throttle. If you choose not to pedal, adjusting the throttle will simply adjust the speed of your e-bike.

Keep in mind, however, that just like increasing your motor-powered pedal-assistance, using the throttle will deplete your battery charge rapidly.

Here is a list of common electric bike assistance modes, based off of the Bosch motor.

  • Off – 0%
  • Eco – 40%
  • Tour – 100%
  • Sport – 150%
  • Turbo – 225%

Having 100% power assistance essentially means that the electric bike will match your power. Given that a cyclist will generate 100 watts at a reasonable pace, this means that the bike receives 200 watts of power. At 225%, you might contribute 100 watts and the bike contributes 225 watts, totalling 325 watts of power.

Considering a professional cyclist will generate an average of 300 watts of power, you can see why people say riding an e-bike is like having someone pushing you along.

How an E-Bike Motor Works

As I mentioned earlier, the motor is what drives the electric bike forward when it’s activated. There are different types of motors that are used in e-bikes, each working in a unique way to propel the bike forward. First, here’s a list of common terms for the motor that will help.

Common Terms
TorqueA measure of force that rotates something around a central axis.
Cadence SensorMeasures how fast you are pedalling.
Torque SensorMeasures how hard you are pedalling.
WattsA measure of power.

Types of motors

There are two main types of motors on an electric bike:

  • Hub-drive motor
  • Mid-drive motor

A Hub-drive motor is located on either the front or rear hub of the bike, which is the center of the wheel. It’s more common to see hub-drive motors on the rear hub as those on the front are usually retrofitted motors, meaning someone has attached a motor and throttle to a regular bike.

In saying that, front hub motors are becoming increasingly popular as manufacturers experiment with different designs.

A mid-drive motor is located near the cranks of the bike, which sit in the center of the bike frame. This motor is what is used in all pedal-assisted e-bikes. They are generally more expensive but more energy-efficient than hub-drive motors.

How does a hub motor work?

There are two types of hub-drive motors; direct-drive hub motors and geared hub motors. Both essentially attach to the wheel and create torque to move the wheel.

A direct-drive hub motor will spin around a stationary shaft, which is the rear axle of the wheel, taking the wheel with it. The wheel is therefore rotated and the e-bike will move forward. Because the central shaft remains fixed, this type of motor is the only motor that can enter reverse mode and therefore use the regenerative braking discussed earlier.

A geared hub motor has a number of gears within it that are connected to the wheel hub. When the motor spins, the shaft of the motor turns the gears at a slower rate, generating torque that, again, propels the bike forward.

Essentially, both types of hub motors are attached to the wheel and will move the electric bike by directly rotating the wheel. These motors will put more strain on the tires and are less energy efficient, but are a cheaper option.

A hub motor placed on the back wheel of an electric bike

How does a mid-drive motor work?

A mid-drive motor adds another step to the process of turning the wheels. It sits in the middle of the electric bike with the shaft connected to the bike’s chain. When the motor rotates, this moves the chain, which then turns the wheel and propels the bike forward.

Because this motor is attached to the bike’s chain, it works well with the natural gear system of the electric bike, making it more energy efficient, whereas hub-drive motors tend to be single-speed motors. This however can be more expensive and can put more strain on the chain.

What is motor power?

The power of an e-bike motor is measured in watts. This is the maximum power output of the motor, but it may operate with a lower output, depending on the assistance level selected.

E-bikes can have a range of motor sizes, usually ranging from 250 watts to 1,000 watts. Unfortunately, a motor that has more power will be bigger and heavier, so you might need to compromise with a smaller motor to keep the weight down.

These numbers represent how much energy the motor can draw from the battery to turn electrical energy into mechanical energy. As a comparison, a professional cyclist can produce about 400 watts over the space of an hour. This means that most motors will feel as though a professional cyclist is pushing you along.

How Does Pedal Assist Work With The Motor?

Pedal assist is more commonly used with mid-drive motors but can be applied to both using sensors. The sensors will detect how much effort you are putting into pedaling and will adjust the power of the motor as a result.

There are two types of sensors in a pedal assist system. These include a cadence sensor and a torque sensor. A cadence sensor will measure how fast you are pedaling and a torque sensor measures how hard you are pedaling. The motor assistance will be the most accurate if the bike uses both sensors.

On its own, a cadence sensor will detect slower pedaling when you are working hard to take off, but also when you are cruising along at higher speeds. In both instances, you may be pedaling at the same rate, but require different levels of assistance.

A torque sensor is a bit more accurate at measuring how much power assistance you need, but it won’t be correct 100% of the time. This is why, if you had to choose, a torque sensor is the better choice. But a pedal assist system works best when both are used.

How Does an E-Bike Battery Work?

The battery of an electric bike is where the energy comes from. There are a few confusing terms that you might come across when looking at batteries, so here are the most important terms to know.

Common Terms
Volts (V)How fast the electricity will flow.
Power / Watts (w)The rate at which work is done, measured in watts.
Amps (A)Amount of electricity (electrons) flowing past a certain point every second.
Watt Hours (Wh)
Wh = Ah x V
Measure of power delivered over one hour.
Amp Hours (Ah)Measure of electric charge delivered over one hour.
RangeHow far your e-bike can travel on one fully charged battery.

A battery will store energy that can be used to supply the motor when required. The motor will turn electrical energy into mechanical energy, moving the bike forward.

When buying a battery, you’ll probably be given the voltage and amp-hours of the battery. The voltage, as mentioned above, tells us how fast electricity can travel, whereas the amp-hours indicate how much electricity can be delivered by that battery over one hour.

Discover the 15 essential battery charging tips!

Voltage and amp-hours

Increasing the voltage makes an electric bike faster while increasing amp-hours increases the battery range.

These two factors can be multiplied to calculate the watt-hours of the battery, meaning how much power is delivered to the motor over an hour. This ranges from 300-1,000Wh in a typical e-bike.

Watt-hours are an easier measure of how much you’ll get out of your battery because there are many different voltage and amp-hour combinations in batteries. Having watt-hours gives us one number to compare.

A fully charged battery will allow you to ride a number of miles before it runs out. This is called the battery’s range. This is affected by many variables, which I will discuss further down, but on average, an electric bike will use 10-20Wh per mile.

This means for a smaller battery (300Wh) and using 20Wh per mile, you will be able to travel 15 miles on the one battery. If you conserve the battery, using around 10Wh per mile and have a larger 750Wh battery, you will be able to travel 75 miles.

Watt-hours

Increasing watt-hours also increases the battery range.

This, however, is assuming you are using a pedal assist motor. If you’re using a throttle, your battery range is going to be much smaller (if you’re using only the throttle). This is because, when a pedal assist motor is involved, you will be contributing to the power. Therefore the power required for an electric bike to move is divided between you and the battery.

With the throttle, you’ll need to compare the power of the motor with the watt-hours of the battery to give you the number of hours the throttle will last. If a battery has 1,000Wh, a 200w motor should last 5 hours, but a 750w motor will last around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

These are very simplified examples, but they should give you an idea of how the battery works with the motor to power your electric bike. 

An e-bike battery attached to the center of the bike
The Battery is attached to the center, just underneath the seat.

What batteries does an e-bike use?

Most e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are the same that you would find in your phone or laptop. The benefit of these batteries, and the reason they are so widely used, is that they last a long time.

This is because they are very energy-dense and can therefore hold more charge than other batteries of the same weight. Considering weight is a big disadvantage in an electric bike and actually works against the battery longevity, this is currently the best option for e-bikes.

Lithium-ion batteries work by the movement of positively charged lithium ions through the battery, which discharges negatively charged electrons through an external circuit. These electrons are what provide your e-bike with electrical energy.

Lithium-ion batteries are also rechargeable. This is done by re-introducing electrons into the circuit, resetting the lithium ions. Over the recharging cycle, they will all move back to the other side of the battery.

Unfortunately, there are no batteries that will last forever, as you may have experienced when your car’s battery died or you had to throw away the old rechargeable AAs from your camera. E-bike batteries are the same.

Depending on usage, lithium-ion batteries can only be recharged a certain number of times. On average, they will need to be replaced every three years. But for those who don’t use their e-bike every day, they might get up to 10 years on their battery. It all depends on how often it is recharged.

Some people may be wary of lithium-ion batteries because of their perceived safety concerns. Some lithium-ion batteries have been known to explode if overcharged or if they get too hot. This is why they aren’t permitted on planes. However, modern batteries will be equipped with a circuit breaker to prevent overcharging, making them much safer.

How do you charge an e-bike battery?

Charging an electric bike battery is very simple. It will come with a charging cable that you can plug into any regular power socket. Recharging a fully drained battery can take anywhere from 3-6 hours.

This is why most people will charge the battery overnight, or if riding their bike to work, they can charge it at their desk during the day.

However, not every electric bike is the same. Some have the batteries mounted externally, some will be semi-integrated into the frame, and some will be entirely encased within the frame.

Those that are within the frame are inaccessible, which means that you can’t remove the battery to charge it. You’ll need to take the entire bike to the power source.

The semi-integrated and external batteries can be removed, meaning you can take just the battery with you into the house or office to recharge. These batteries are usually locked into place with a key to preventing theft.

What affects battery use?

There are many variables that affect the range of your e-bike battery. Some you can’t control, but some you can.

  • Size of the battery: A battery with more watt-hours will increase your range.
  • Size of the motor: More powerful motors will use more energy from the battery.
  • Weight of the bike and rider: Adding weight to the bike, whether from the bike itself or the rider, will increase resistance when riding, which will use more energy from the battery.
  • Inclines and declines: Going uphill will demand more power from the battery, whereas going downhill will conserve energy. So if you live in a hilly area, the battery will usually not last as long.
  • The type of terrain: Rougher terrain, such as grass or gravel, will increase resistance on the bike, requiring more power.
  • The wheels: Heavier and wider tires provide more resistance when riding, draining the battery.
  • Type of assistance (throttle vs pedal assist): It’s well-known that pedal assist motors are more energy efficient because they constantly adjust the amount of power used. On easier rides, they will drain less power from the battery.
  • Level of assistance: On a pedal assist bike, you can choose to lower the amount of assistance the motor provides as you are pedaling. This generally ranges from less than 100%, known as ‘eco mode’, to around 300%, which is often called ‘turbo mode’. Even with a throttle, you can choose to twist by a smaller increment to use less power. The less assistance you use, the longer your battery will last.

I hope this article has answered any questions you’ve had about how an e-bike works and prepare you for purchasing and riding your very own. Understanding how an e-bike works will help you have more fun riding and, hopefully, encourage you to take good care of it.

Now find out how to use an electric bike!

How to Care for an E-Bike: A Step by Step Maintenance Guide

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Maintaining e-bike chain

Buying an e-bike is an exciting step after researching which brand you’d like to buy and what type will suit your needs. But some people forget that e-bikes require general maintenance, just like any other bike or motorized vehicle.

This step-by-step guide will help to answer any questions you have about maintaining an e-bike from simple cleaning tips to when you should be replacing key components of the bike. Find out the preventative measures you can take, as well as common issues and how to fix them.

Step 1. Your Pre-Ride Check

Before you ride your e-bike, it’s good practice to run through a few quick checks of the bike. This helps prevent breaking down unnecessarily and makes riding more carefree.

The ‘M’ Check

One popular method is the ‘M’ check. This runs through all the major components of the bike, from front to back, that you should check before going for a ride. If you draw a line through each of these points on the bike, you will notice it forms an ‘M’ shape.

The ‘M’ Check
1. Front Wheel and TireCheck the tire pressure and for any signs of damage or punctures in the tire. Make sure there is enough tread. Spin the wheel to check stability and smoothness. Check for any loose spokes.
2. Brakes, handlebars, and displayCheck that the brake pads have not worn away and work when engaged. The handlebars should be tight (you shouldn’t be able to twist it when the front wheel is held still). Turn the e-bike on to check the display is working and also that it is not loose.
3. Battery and cranksCheck the battery is locked and loaded. You shouldn’t be able to remove it without the key and it should be fully charged or have enough power for your trip. Make sure the cranks and secure and working properly.
4. Saddle and Seat PostCheck the height of your seat is correct for you Make sure the seat is tight and won’t move.
5. Rear Wheel, Chain, and GearsCheck the rear wheel as you did with the front wheel. Make sure the bike chain is clean and lubricated. Check the rear cassette/freewheel and derailleur for signs of damage.

The ‘ABBC’ Check

Another popular method is the ‘ABBC’ check. This method is also quicker so it’s good for those early mornings before work when you’re running short on time. It covers the bare minimum of what you should check before riding your e-bike.

The ‘ABBC’ Check
AAir in both tires
BBattery has enough charge
BBrakes are working in the front and back
CChain is lubricated

As you can see, the ‘ABBC’ check is much simpler than the ‘M’ method. However, the ‘M’ check will give you peace of mind that you’ve checked all that you can before setting out on your ride.

Step 2. Provide Safe Transportation

If you need to transport your e-bike before your ride, like to a riding trail or while traveling, there are a few more things you need to consider that are not usually an issue with a normal bike.

Transport with a Car

Transporting any bike with a car usually involves two options; a roof rack or a rear, hitch-mounted bike rack. The main issue with an e-bike is the heavy weight of the bike. It’s not recommended that you transport your e-bike with a roof rack because the weight will make it less stable than a regular bike and risk damaging both the bike and the roof rack. You may also struggle to haul so much weight above your head.

The preferred option is using the rear-mounted bike rack. You’ll only need to lift the e-bike about 18-20 inches (half a meter) or so off the ground and it’ll be far more stable. Just check that your e-bike does not exceed the weight limit of your particular bike rack.

If there are some components of the bike that you don’t want to get wet, you might want to consider using a waterproof cover. This is mainly a good idea for the electric console. Most components of an e-bike should be water-resistant and therefore tolerate a bit of rain. 

Transport on a Plane

If traveling on a plane for a holiday or when moving, you won’t be able to bring the e-bike’s lithium-ion battery onboard a passenger plane. This is the same whether it is in the cabin or in the cargo hold and is because of fears that these batteries may explode.

Technology has helped resolve this issue; however, you still can’t fly with e-bike batteries. Therefore, if you’re taking your e-bike, you’ll need to remove the battery prior to check-in.

With this in mind, you might consider sending your battery on a cargo plane to your destination. This can be expensive but might be the best option if you are moving interstate or overseas.

If you’re going on a holiday, it might work out cheaper and easier to hire a battery instead. You’ll just need to make sure your battery is stored correctly, which I’ll talk about later on.

Safety Considerations

It’s a good idea, no matter what method of transport you’re using, to remove any valuable and removable components of the e-bike so that they don’t get stolen. They can be stored safely with you or in your car until you reach your destination. This mainly includes the battery and the electronic console. 

Step 3. Clean Your E-Bike

Cleaning your e-bike should be done after every ride. This is particularly important if you have been riding in areas that might cause your bike to corrode, such as in the sand or even near the beach.

Find out more about maintaining your e-bike after riding in the sand:

Riding Your E-Bike in the Sand: Tires and Maintenance

Water is good enough to clean your e-bike in most circumstances. Some people use water from their garden hose to wash the e-bike down. Although this seems quick and easy, you’ll have to be very careful not to use any high water pressure on the bike. High pressured water can make its way into the electronics.

Instead, you can just use a damp rag to wipe it down. You might also want to use a gentle brush or sponge to help remove any stubborn dirt or grime. Some cyclists will opt to use bike shampoo or some form of gentle soap or detergent on their bike as well.

How to clean your e-bike with a damp rag

When cleaning the e-bike down, it is important to cover the electronic console with a cloth to prevent any unnecessary water damage. It’s even better if you can remove this and the battery from the bike before giving it a clean.

You may also need to use a dedicated degreaser for the drivetrain. Because there is oil lubrication on the chain, this area can pick up dirt and debris and become quite dirty if not cared for properly. A degreaser should get rid of all the grime. Just remember to lubricate the components again when you’re done and then wipe off any excess lubrication.

Step 4. Store Your E-Bike Safely

  • Store your e-bike undercover or indoors.
  • Always clean your e-bike before storage.
  • Be mindful of your e-bike’s weight.
  • Store your e-bike in a cool, dry place – ideally 32-68oF.
  • Make sure to store the battery indoors with a 30-60% charge.

Your e-bike should be stored undercover in a cool, dry place. This could be a garage or shed, depending on how hot those areas get. But, typically, your shed will be exposed to large temperature fluctuations, so this isn’t recommended. If it’s possible, as generally happens with a folding e-bike, you should store your e-bike indoors.

You should make sure your bike is clean and dry when storing, whether long-term or just for the night. This will prevent dirt build-up and will make it easier to clean every time. As I mentioned earlier, if you’ve been in conditions that could be corrosive to the bike, it is very important to clean the bike down straight away to prevent irreversible damage.

It’s up to you exactly how you store your e-bike undercover. Some people will simply ride the bike into the shed and lower the kickstand. Others will mount the bike on the wall or hang it from a ceiling mount. If hanging the bike, you just need to consider the weight, as electric bikes are usually much heavier than regular bikes. Make sure the brackets are reinforced in the wall or ceiling to accommodate this weight. Additionally, you’ll need to be careful when you lift your e-bike every time.

Ideally, the temperature in storage should range between 32-68oF. This is primarily because of the battery. Freezing or higher temperatures can lessen its life span. However, because the battery needs to be recharged, most people will usually remove the battery and store it within their home to charge anyway. If you can remove the digital display, it’s a good idea to store this with the battery as well to prolong its life.

If you’re storing the battery long-term, such as throughout winter, you need to take extra precautions. Try to keep the battery indoors in an area that is dry and, again, within 32-68oF. You should also store it with 30-60% residual charge. If it is fully charged or discharged, this puts stress on the battery and reduces its lifespan.

Learn more about storing your e-bike… Read this:

How to Safely Store an E-Bike: Outside vs Inside

Step 5. Conduct At-Home Maintenance

There are several main components of your e-bike that you can check and take care of on your own at home. We’ll take a look at them here.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is all the components that are involved in moving the bike. These components include:

  • Pedals
  • Cranks
  • Chain rings
  • Chain
  • Cassette
  • Derailleur

These components are made of metal, so they require lubrication to continue functioning correctly. If there is no lubrication, the metal grinding against other metals will cause friction, making it harder to use, and will also cause it to wear away a lot quicker.

The main movement occurs in the chain, which is why bike chains are usually the first thing to go. For e-bikes, specifically those with mid-drive motors, the chain has even more stress because of faster average speeds and more weight in the bike. For this reason, you should lubricate your chain once a month if using your e-bike regularly.

My bike chain gets a dry lube because I live in a dry climate.

Because the drivetrain components are all connected, lubricating the chain should also help lubricate the rest of the components. When you do this, you don’t want a build-up of grease around the cassette or brake discs, so it’s best to target the center of the chain, away from the other components. Then the chain will carry the lubrication to the other components as it cycles through.

You should also be using a degreaser prior to lubricating the drivetrain to remove any old excess grease and oil.

As part of your at-home maintenance, you should keep your eye on the wearing of your chain. This should be done roughly every 250-500 miles for an e-bike. Generally, it will need to be replaced after around 2,000 miles.

Checking your chain can be done using a cheap tool called a chain wear indicator. This tool checks any elongation of the chain and any thinning in the rollers.

The cassette should be replaced at the same time as the chain. So this will also need to be replaced roughly every 2,000 miles. Keep in mind that some e-bikes will wear the chain and cassette faster, such as electric mountain bikes. If you are taking your e-bike off-road, you’ll generally find you need to replace these components twice as often.

Frame and Wheels

The frame is easy to fix, provided you have the right tools. Here are some tools you might find convenient:

  • Torque wrench
  • Spoke wrench
  • Allen keys
  • Tire pump with pressure gauge (I use this one)
  • Pedal spanner
  • Lubricating oil

The most common thing you will be doing is checking the tire pressure. Tires will lose pressure over time, even if you haven’t run over any thorns or glass. It’s therefore important to know what pressure the tires should be on your particular e-bike. This is measured in PSI, which means pounds per square inch.

Here is a general overview of what PSI you can expect in different types of e-bikes. But keep in mind that you should always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendation for your specific tires.

Road E-Bike80-120 PSI
Standard E-Bike40-80 PSI
Mountain E-Bike25-45 PSI

If you have a tire pump with a pressure gauge, this process will be made very easy. It’s a good idea to keep one of these with you while you ride so that you can pump up any flat tire tubes along the way.

Another part of the tire that you’ll need to be mindful of is the tread. Make sure the tires haven’t worn too thinly because this will increase the chance of the tire going completely flat.

The spokes of the wheel should be checked to determine if any have become loose. This is where the spoke wrench will come in handy. This tool simply tightens the spokes at the rim.

In terms of the rest of the bike, there are many bolts that you can check over. If there are any loose, you will need to tighten them. However, these bolts should not be over-tightened as this can cause damage to the bolt and thread. This is why it’s a good idea to have a torque wrench to monitor how tight they are.

Brakes

Depending on which brakes you have on your e-bike, there will be different maintenance requirements. Brakes are something that you want to ensure are serviced correctly, so if you’re unsure about what you’re doing, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

An e-bike will commonly have either mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes. In both instances, you need to make sure the brake discs do not get any oil on them. If they need to be cleaned, you can use a cloth and isopropyl alcohol.

Besides cleaning the disc brakes, you can also replace the cable in the mechanical braking system when needed, or change the oil in a hydraulic system. This is generally recommended if the oil has changed color.

Hydraulic brakes are changed roughly every 6 months, whereas replacing mechanical cables should be done every 6-12 months. Mostly, people will rely on service technicians to replace these things or will have a look themselves if they find the brake levers are not as responsive.

Here is a general timeline of maintenance that you can do at home on your e-bike between services.

General Maintenance Guide
Before Each Ride (minimum ‘ABBC’ check)Check air in tires; Check battery is charged; Check brakes are working; Check chain is lubricated
Every WeekCheck bolts and tighten as required
Every MonthLubricate the chain and other drivetrain components;  Check chain for signs of wear (usually after 250-500 miles)
Every 6 MonthsConsider replacing your cassette and chain (usually after 2,000 miles); Book an official service if you haven’t had one in the past 6 months (regular use;) Consider draining hydraulic brakes or replacing brake cables
Every 12 MonthsBook an official service if you haven’t had one in the past 12 months

Step 6. Servicing an E-Bike

Of course, if you aren’t mechanically minded and everything in the above section scares you, you don’t need to worry. That’s what service technicians are for. Service your e-bike at least once a year, or every 3-6 months if you use your e-bike on a regular basis.

E-bikes are like cars. Some people enjoy the technical aspect of maintaining a vehicle by making small adjustments here and there, but others are quite happy to only drive their car to the service center when instructed to do so.

If you take your e-bike in to be serviced, the technicians looking over your bike are going to check everything I mentioned earlier, and more. They know exactly what to check and when to check it.

In particular, they can look over the electronics and motor. These are things that can be more complex to deal with, and therefore it’s not recommended that anyone but a qualified bike mechanic touch them. Trying to fix or service these components yourself may void your warranty.

When you do get your e-bike serviced, it’s better to take it straight to the manufacturer. The service technicians there will know exactly how to work on their own brand of motors and batteries. On average, an e-bike motor will last around 10,000 miles, so keeping it going as long as possible should give you a decent run. They can also run updates and diagnostics on the software.

Even though servicing your e-bike will cover all aspects of essential maintenance, it’s still a good idea to know some of the key points of maintenance that I’ve mentioned in case you do break down and you can’t get in last-minute to have it fixed.

This is because, even if you service every 6 months, riding just 11 miles each day is going to add up to over 2,000 miles in that 6 months. That means someone commuting to and from work would need to live less than 5.5 miles from their workplace and service their e-bike every 6 months to potentially avoid replacing the chain and cassette themselves.

Step 7. Understand Common E-Bike Problems

Here are some common issues that people have with their e-bikes. Having these in the back of your mind and knowing how to solve the issue will save you from a world of frustration.

Over-tightening the Bolts

I mentioned earlier that over-tightening the bolts on your e-bike can cause damage to the thread and bolt. It can also make it hard to undo them again when more maintenance is required. This is particularly an issue if you use a more powerful tightening tool at home, only to be stuck on the road with a multi-tool that can’t undo the bolts.

This is easily prevented by becoming familiar with the recommended torque to use on your e-bike’s bolts. You can then use a torque-wrench to tighten the bolt with that recommended torque. Make sure you can loosen the bolts with your multi-tool before you finish so you know you’ll be able to work on the bike when on the road as well.

A Flat Battery and Leaving the Battery In

Forgetting to charge the battery is a simple, yet very common, mistake. It is easily fixed by charging your battery after every ride. Try to get into a routine when putting your bike away.

Another common and potentially dangerous issue with the battery is leaving it in when you work on the bike. Particularly if you are working on the drivetrain, you don’t want any components to receive any power while your fingers are caught up in the chain or gears. Simply remove the battery every time you do any kind of maintenance on your e-bike.

Hanging Your Bike Upside Down

Some people might choose to store their e-bike upside down like they would with a regular bike. However, this is something that will damage the electronic console over time. Small amounts of water that is trapped within the bike can also drain into and collect within the head tube, causing it to seize up over time.

Incorrect Tire Pressure

Having the wrong tire pressure will make you work harder to pedal unnecessarily, and also cause the e-bike motor to work harder. This then drains the battery faster than normal.

This is mainly an issue for mountain bikes because some people will use them both on-road and off-road. You can find a table above that gives a rough estimate of the PSI required for each situation, but in general, rougher terrain does not require as much air in the tire.

Misaligned Sensors and Loose Cables

Whether the sensors have become dirty or misaligned, or the cable has become loose, sensors that aren’t working correctly will mean that the power assistance will also fail. To prevent this, make sure to keep all aspects of your bike clean after each use and check the cables if you suspect the power assistance is not working properly.

On a similar note, if you’ve been unplugging electronic equipment, such as removing the motor, make sure you return all the cables as you found them. What seems like a major fault in the e-bike could be a cable that was not reconnected properly. This is generally why it is recommended to leave electrical maintenance to qualified service technicians.

Stray Lubricating Oil

Getting lubricating oil on other parts of your e-bike leads to unnecessary dirt build-up, as well as serious complications. One common mistake is lubricating the chain close to the brake discs. If there is lubrication on the brake discs, they will no longer have the friction required to work and you could be in serious trouble if traveling at high speeds.

This is completely preventable by oiling your chain in the mid-section where it is free from all other components of the bike. If you do happen to get oil on the brake discs, carefully wipe this off using isopropyl alcohol until there is definitely no oil left. Then it’s a good idea to test the brakes at low speeds after that to make sure.

Parting Words

You might be mechanically-minded and can’t wait to get into your e-bike parts, or you might just want to take your bike to the service center when required. Either way, I hope this article has helped in your understanding of e-bike maintenance and how you can keep your e-bike in the best condition. 

Are Electric Bikes Safe? Safety Tips for Riding an E-Bike

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You are probably wondering whether e-bikes are dangerous, especially after hearing confusing information about e-bike accidents. Concerns are heightened even more when you hear that a well-known person has been severely injured, such as what happened with celebrity Simon Cowell who required back surgery after a fall.

So, it’s important to gather all of the correct information you can before deciding that riding an e-bike is for you.

Electric bikes are generally as safe as regular bikes but do have some added risks because of their electric power. However, there are simple safety tips to follow that’ll remove any potential increase in danger.

If you take the time to learn safe riding techniques, follow distinct road rules, check your equipment regularly, and use the appropriate gear, you’ll be just as safe as riding a regular bike. So if you’re wondering… are electric bikes dangerous… you’d better read on!

How to Ride an E-Bike Safely

In many ways, riding an electric bike is just like riding a normal bicycle. You need to balance yourself while pedaling, make turns, apply the brakes when needed, and watch for cars and pedestrians. However, there are a few concerns that are unique to riding on an e-bike, primarily having to do with its increased speed and power.

But fortunately, there are easy ways of minimizing these risks. Just follow these tips!

https://www.ebikingtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Electric-Bike-Safety-Tips.jpeg

Don’t Start Off Too Fast!

One of the biggest mistakes new e-bike riders make is to hop on and head off too fast. This is so easy to do since your e-bike is typically defaulted to pedal assist level 1. And if you’ve never felt what it’s like to have pedal assistance, you can end up taking off a little too fast, especially if you’re starting on even a small downhill.

Instead, try to start on a flat surface in a safe place that isn’t headed directly into the street. And make sure you’re starting at the lowest level of assistance (check your pedal assist gear level before riding). This becomes even more important because once you’re moving, stopping may not happen as quickly.

Additionally, if you have a throttle, you can take off unexpectedly. You might not be prepared for this sudden lurch forward and attempt to stop immediately, which will be harder after your unexpected burst of speed.

So, try out the throttle for the first time somewhere quiet and safe, an empty parking lot perhaps. And apply the throttle slowly (this is not a motorcycle after all!). Once you get a feel for it, you’ll know how much effort to give it to get you started at a reasonable speed.

Understand The Power of Your E-Bike

Many e-bikes can go up to 20-30 mph, depending on the battery and motor power, as well as your weight, and wind, and road factors. A regular bike just won’t move at this speed for average riders. So, this is something new to get used to and the only way to get comfortable with the speed is practice, practice, practice.

So try out different levels of pedal assist and gear shifts while you’re in an uncrowded place. Although you’re probably excited to ride new places, I promise that you’ll have tons of time to ride everywhere you want to go later.

Further, to stay safe while riding such a powerful e-bike, you should consider other factors such as the type of terrain you’re riding on, the number of pedestrians around, and automobile traffic.

Always match your speed with your surroundings, slowing down when approaching pedestrians and moving as far around them as possible, or riding with the speed of traffic.

Watch Your Turns!

In general, electric bikes are bulkier and heavier than regular bikes. This tends to make them less agile and reduces the ability to take tight or fast turns. Compare this to driving a large SUV instead of a small sports car… you need to take turns slower in an SUV or risk it flipping over, while you can really hug the corners with the sports car.

I’ve actually fallen on my e-bike when trying to make a tight turn and not slowing down enough first. So be prepared to slow down before heading into a turn.

Use Your Rear-View Mirror

When you’re riding at a higher speed, which is easy to do with an e-bike, you’ll need to maneuver it quickly when presented with turns, lane changes, and stops at intersections or to avoid hitting someone or something.

A rear-view mirror can really help with this when you need to make fast decisions. This is one of the top items on our Recommended Gear list! And many e-bikes don’t come with them when you buy. However, they’re inexpensive and you should have one right away. They’re easy to clip onto your handlebar, but just make sure you find one with a clip size that fits your e-bike.

A rear-view mirror attaches to your e-bike's handlebar and makes it easier to see cars and other bicyclists to the side and behind you.
Keep safe by attaching a rear-view mirror like this.

E-Bike Road Rules & Safety Tips

E-Bikes can move faster than regular bikes, pedestrians, and even possibly cars (especially when in cities with traffic) which can increase the chance of accidents. So, aren’t electric bikes dangerous then?

Fortunately, most e-bikes only go up to 20-30 mph at their top speed. You’ll want to understand how fast your bike can go and what the implications of that are before you head too far from home. In other words, take these tips seriously!

Ride With the Traffic

Just like riding a traditional bike, you should always ride with traffic, not against it.

However, the concern with an e-bike is that you may be riding too fast, thanks to your motor assistance, and actually passing traffic. This can be unsafe if a car doesn’t see you. Will a car be expecting a bicyclist to come up extra fast on their right when they’re moving over to take a turn? Probably not. And will you be able to slow down fast enough when you see a car moving into the same lane just in front of you? Maybe not.

Further, you’ll be expected not to surpass the posted, legal speed limit, and an electric bike can easily do that in school or construction zones not to mention residential streets.

The way to stay safe on an e-bike just might be to restrict your use of pedal assistance in these key places.

Warn Pedestrians

Always use a bell or warning when passing or riding close to other people. They could move into your path unexpectedly or get frightened or annoyed when you whiz on past. And since you could be moving at a faster speed than a normal bike, every time you pass someone is a potential accident waiting to happen.

So, not only will you and they be safer by giving a warning that you’re near, a pedestrian will be happier to share the space with you, which will make your ride more pleasant as well.

Just be respectful. Use your bell and/or let someone know you’re passing using a friendly call such as “On your left… Thank you” or “Excuse me”. It’s also much safer to slow down when you pass, especially if it’s a child, dog, or elderly person who may suddenly move or sway out in front of you.

Learn how to ride safely with your dog here!

Use Extreme Caution Riding Near Other Moving Vehicles

Unfortunately, cars don’t always realize how fast you may be riding, especially on an electric bike. So, when they turn left in front of you, it’s probably because they’ve assumed that you won’t get across the street before they do.

However, on an e-bike, with the assistance of a motor and throttle, you’re likely to get across the street in a couple of seconds, ending up meeting the car in the intersection.

Therefore, you never want to assume that you’re safe to go just because you have the right of way. Instead, proceed with caution and make eye contact with the driver before crossing the intersection.

Use Your Hand Signals

There are four basic hand signals you might already know from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They’re almost the same as if you were driving a car without working turn signals. Take a look at the image below from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Warning: You just might want to slow your e-bike down a bit to be comfortable letting go of the handlebar before making your signal.

Images showing the four hand signals needed for bike riders
Shared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Don’t Take the Right of Way!

Yes, you might legally have the right-of-way on your e-bike when crossing at an intersection. However, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to take it!

You will always lose the battle against a two-ton hunk of metal. So, even if you think you can beat a car through an intersection by using your throttle or speeding up your electric gears, you might just let the car go first in some cases. For example, let the car win if you haven’t made eye contact with the driver, if the driver keeps moving forward (even slowly) or if you can see the driver is speeding or acting recklessly.

Restrict Your Power and Speed

When riding around pedestrians or cars, make sure your speed keeps the safety of yourself and others in mind. If you’re using electric power assistance, keep it one level lower than you would under other circumstances. This’ll slow you down a little and make it easier to stop quickly.

Just like driving a car, your speed shouldn’t go over what is safe in any given situation. In other words, don’t zip down the bike lane at 30 mph when the cars around you are only going 15 mph!

Want more info on how to use an e-bike? Go here:

How to Use an Electric Bike: Step-by-Step Instructions for Beginners

Complete an Equipment Safety Checklist Before Riding

If you’re still concerned that e-bikes are unsafe, you’ll feel better knowing that your e-bike’s equipment is in good shape. Because electric bikes cost more than regular bikes, you’ll be happier with your investment if you take better care of it than you ever would’ve with a normal bike.

So, learn more about the e-bike’s expensive parts than you planned on. And always complete an equipment safety checklist before you ride.

Equipment Safety Checklist: Check Off All 4 Before Each Ride
Battery Care
Tire Inflation and Wear
Chain Lubrication
Brake Check
Read each section below to find out how to complete this checklist

Take Care of Your Electric Bike Battery: Here’s How

Your battery may very well be the most expensive part of your e-bike. So, taking care of it is essential. Further, lithium batteries have been known to catch on fire. Therefore, protecting your battery could actually keep you safe.

How to do it: First, always keep your battery pack above freezing and let it warm up even more if you can before charging it. Charge it fully before each ride so that you don’t get stuck without electric power, especially if you’re far from home.

Also, make sure it’s securely attached to your e-bike… do this by checking that the lock’s in the correct position and tugging on the battery gently to see if it’s loose.

Check Your Tires: Here’s How

Keeping your tires inflated properly and watching for worn-out tread will make your ride easier and safer, especially on an e-bike with its extra weight and higher than typical speed. Proper tire inflation will give you a smooth ride instead of a bumpy or sluggish ride, which will keep you in your lane and out of the way of others.

And, as a bonus, you’ll save money from having to replace the tires too frequently.

How to do it: easy to use a traditional hand air pump with the correct valve (check to see if your e-bike requires a Schrader Valve or a Presta Valve) to fill your tire tubes. Get one with a pressure gauge directly on it to make it easier to fill and check the pressure.

However, if you have bigger than normal tires on your electric bike, such as extra-wide “fat” tires, you may need a more powerful version. In that case, you might need to get a pump made for a mountain bike with an “oversized barrel” (I use the Topeak Joe Blow Mountain pump from Amazon to fill my fat tires).

Lube Your Chain: Here’s How

Apply a lightweight, waterproof lube to your chain before riding if it moves clunky or you hear a lot of noise coming from it. Find one that is specialized for bikes (usually called “Bike Lube”).

So, don’t just use WD-40 because you have some in the house. WD-40 actually has its own “Bike Chain Lube”. You can also get “Muc-Up DRY Bike Lubricant” on Amazon.

How to do it: Leave a drop of lube on top of each chain link and use your hand to backpedal a few full revolutions. This will help distribute the lube everywhere it needs to be. Then, wipe off any excess lubrication so that dirt particles aren’t attracted to it.

This is the chain on an e-bike that should be lubricated regularly
Run little drops of lube across the top of this chain

Keep Brakes in Check: Here’s How

Check your brakes before each ride to make certain they’re tight and will stop you fast if needed.

How to do it: Roll your bike slowly forward as you squeeze both hand brakes. You should feel them tighten and the bike should easily stop.

Personal Safety Gear

Although similar gear is needed for an e-bike rider as compared to a normal bike rider, the reasons you need this gear while riding an electric bike make them even more important.

Do You Have These Items Ready to Go?
Helmet- Perfectly fitted to your head size
Electric lights attached to e-bike
Rear-View Mirror securely attached
Reflective and bright clothing on your body
These items are even more important when riding an electric bike

Wear a Bike Helmet

As far as safety goes, every bike rider should make wearing a helmet top priority! Not only will you protect the most important part of your body, helmets are a great place to add more reflectors so that you’ll be easier to see as well.

And on an e-bike, when you’re riding even faster than on a regular bike, a high-quality helmet (like these MIPS helmets on Amazon) becomes even more essential!

Learn more about helmets for e-bike riders!

Use the Electric Lights

Here’s another great thing about e-bikes… they can have lights powered by electricity! So you’ll know that your lights always work when your electric bike does, without worrying about it giving out at the wrong time like a battery-operated light would (and just a small reflector will never be enough).

Don’t Forget the Mirror

As mentioned earlier, this is the very first cool accessory my husband and I bought for our e-bikes (since thankfully, our bikes came with electric lights). We knew after our first ride down the street that we weren’t comfortable riding at a high speed without one.

A mirror can be added on one or both handlebars to make it easier to see if a car or another (faster) bicyclist is coming up on the side. You can even see if a car is following close behind or if your riding partner is keeping up with you!

Wear Reflective or Bright Clothing

Being seen is even more important while riding a fast e-bike. There’s simply less time for another moving vehicle to see you. So always wear a reflective vest or have a couple of tops or jackets that are fluorescent or brightly colored.

Check out all of our Recommended Safety Gear here!

Are E-Bikes Safe for Seniors?

Although electric bikes are generally considered safe if you follow the tips above, there are somewhat greater risks for people over the age of 65.

First, an e-bike can be pretty heavy. So as an older person, you’re more likely to hurt your back or obtain other injuries by trying to lift it… even if it’s just to get it over a curb. You might also go to catch it as it falls over or you might need to push it home if it accidentally runs out of battery charge, both of which increase the chance of injury. Performing anything physical with an e-bike can present a greater risk due to typical muscle loss as the body ages.

Then, of course, if you fall when riding, not only might you incur the usual injuries, the extra weight of the e-bike might also cause more damage.

Finally, because of the speed, it’s easy to find yourself going faster than planned. This means that you might need to stop quicker than planned as well and, depending on age and general health, your reflexes could be slower as a senior.

But here’s the good news about seniors staying safe while riding an e-bike. Reuters Health, who reviewed seventeen years worth of emergency room data, noted that the biggest group of people involved in accidents with e-bikes were aged 18-44 and 45-64, not seniors over 65!

This is likely due to the fact that people over 65 are more cautious on e-bikes, riding slower and in safer places (and not through cities on a daily commute).

Find out how electric bikes are really different than traditional bikes

Safe E-Bike Riding in Summary

Although there are risks associated with riding an electric bike, you can see that they can be as safe as other riding traditional bikes if you follow a few rules and safety checklists.

Make sure you follow the safety tips for riding which include using safe electric bike riding techniques, following road rules, checking your equipment regularly, and wearing or bringing along important safety gear. Doing these things will minimize the added risks that come from power and speed on an e-bike.

The Purpose of Electric Bikes: 11 Ways They’re Different from Normal Bikes

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Thinking about getting an electric bike but not sure if it would be useful or even any different from a regular bike? Well, there’s a reason for the uptick in the electric bike trend. Once you have one, you’ll never want to go back!

Electric bikes allow for more flexibility in how and where you ride them than standard bikes. With the battery and electric motor, you have the ability to ride longer, faster, and farther, which increases an e-bike’s utility for most people, regardless of fitness. Additionally, it provides greater access for quickly riding to work, school, on remote trails, and wherever you need to go.

Speaking from my own experience and gathering ideas from other e-bike riders, I’ll show you 11 ways that e-bikes have a unique purpose as compared to a normal bike! 

1. You Can Ride Longer and Farther with a Battery and Motor

For most riders, this is the number one purpose for having an electric bike. An e-bike is simply much easier to ride farther and for a longer distance than a traditional bike. An electric bike is powered by a battery, which then powers a motor, which then gives you assistance in pedaling. Standard bikes move forward simply through your own exertion.c

So, having electric power can definitely make the ride easier and faster. Plus, you don’t have to tire yourself out as quickly because you always have backup assistance. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the battery will lose its charge eventually.

And while it may be easier to ride farther and for longer, you’ll need to keep an eye on the battery level so that you aren’t left stranded in the middle of your ride! Most e-bikes can travel about 22-50 miles on a single charge and are sometimes even able to go up to 80 miles (but only if you have an e-bike model with a battery that can do this). 

2. E-Bikes Offer Assisted Pedaling

Riding a standard bike can get exhausting, and while feeling the burn in your legs is a sign of a good workout, sometimes you might just want to be able to pedal without hurting yourself too much.  E-bikes make it much easier to pedal with the assisted pedaling options. 

You can increase the electric gear (generally on your left handlebar) to allow less effort for pedaling while still traveling at a good speed. By bumping up the electric gears, pedaling becomes easier and the bike can pick up speed.

Many e-bikes can be increased to Level 5 pedal assist. And when you consider the difference you feel when you turn on the electric assistance (like going from 0 to Level 1), you can bet that being able to increase to level 5 will seem almost unbelievable at first.

On a standard bike, you can really only ride as far as your body can handle. This could be 3 miles, 10 miles, or 30 miles, but odds are there will be a point where your body, or even just your legs, needs a rest. On an e-bike, you can take a break while still being able to cover a lot of ground.

Additionally, many e-bike models have an electric assist throttle that will propel the bike at a decent speed without pedaling at all.

3. Commute to Work or School Faster on an E-Bike

An e-bike serves a direct purpose in this case. It’s a very efficient and enjoyable way to travel to work, school, or around town, perhaps to the grocery store! In some cases, you can actually get there faster by cutting through traffic.

It is much more eco-friendly than a car, not to mention that you can save gas and beat traffic by not having to stop at as many lights. You can take back roads or the bike path to get to where you need to go, and depending on where you live, this may be more efficient than driving a car. 

You also won’t have to worry about waiting for the bus or sitting next to a stranger. And because it’s much faster than walking or riding a standard bike, you might find it easier to give up driving your car as frequently. You can even have a basket added to the front or back of the electric bike where you can store your backpack, briefcase, or grocery bags. 

4. More Flexibility in Customization

E-bikes have a great deal of flexibility in their functions, therefore making them more versatile than normal bikes.

Like traditional bikes, you can adjust the seats, handlebars, or pedals, and can install baskets to the front or back to help you carry your dog, groceries, books, or even your cat!. If you love the bike, but the seat just isn’t comfortable, you can easily order a new seat separately and install it yourself.

However, e-bike customization does differ from a standard bike when it comes to speed and motor. 

For example, if you’re a thrill-seeker or professional bike rider, you can customize the speed of your e-bike to go faster than it typically allows. This can happen by swapping out the battery, motor, and/or tires for better ones, and even rewiring your LCD settings!

You can also purchase a conversion kit to customize your bike. Electric Bike Conversion Kits are a set of prepackaged tools and items that are made to fit on a traditional bike that can be converted to fit on an e-bike. These kits are an easy and efficient option for e-bike users to purchase compatible parts all at once.

Some kits may include DIY kits with minimal parts while others will include a complete package of parts to make your electric bike top-notch. Conversion kits range from roughly $500-$1,000 in cost. Take a look at this one.

Here are the multiple parts in this e-bike conversion kit
Example Conversion Kit

5. Allows the Disabled and the Elderly to Ride a Bike 

Once you ride an e-bike you’ll realize that it has great purpose when it comes to people with disabilities, injuries, or less overall strength, such as the elderly population in general. Access to bike riding itself, fresh air, and exercise suddenly become a reality for those who couldn’t manage it before.

As mentioned previously, the electric pedal assist makes it so that you need to exert less energy to get where you want to go. But, with an e-bike, you can still get there!

Further, getting the proper amount of exercise can get increasingly more difficult as we get older, or if you have an injury or physical disability. Perhaps going for a jog can be hard on your knees, and riding a standard bike just isn’t good for your back. On an e-bike, the elderly and disabled will have a much easier time riding a bike.

Because E-bikes are a lot larger and heavier than traditional bikes though, it’s important to be more cautious while braking and making turns to avoid being injured. If you are concerned about your safety, a step-through e-bike may be a better option as it is easier to get on and off as well as put your feet down on the ground.

Here’s something you might want to consider… an electric trike. These are 3-wheeled tricycles that are adult-sized. If you’re uncertain about balancing on a standard 2-wheel bike, you can get an electric trike that provides an extra wheel for stability (you won’t have to worry much about balancing).

Read this article to learn more about e-biking for seniors:

Are E-Bikes Good for Seniors: Pros and Cons

6. To Get You Where You Need to Go Much Faster Than on a Regular Bike

E-bikes can definitely go much faster than a standard bike! While it depends on the power and battery level of the model you buy, most e-bikes are limited to 20 miles per hour with the electric assist. But depending upon the terrain and how much you are pedaling along with it, you can go up to around 30 miles per hour on some e-bikes.  

The average e-bike (250W-750W) will go up to the same general speed of 20-30mph, at its fastest. However, a specialized 3000W one can go almost 50 mph (but it’s still the safest option to stay under 30 mph). Unless you are a professional and very fit cyclist, you probably won’t be able to travel this fast on a standard bike.

7. You Can Cut Back on the Expense of Driving a Car

Driving a car requires a lot more work and expense than riding an e-bike. Cars are constantly needing to update old parts or have damages repaired, and these modifications can leave a fairly large hole in your wallet. While you may need to occasionally replace the parts on an e-bike, it is much less expensive and there aren’t as many parts, in general, that would need repairing.

Not to mention, buying a new car would cost thousands of dollars at a minimum while most e-bikes are only within the $1,000-$3,000 range. Gas is also growing more and more expensive and can be a pain to have to keep refilling. And if your car is dirty, you might take it to an expensive car wash. But your e-bike can be cleaned with a simple wipe.  

8. Get Exercise (in more places)

Many riders use their e-bikes to get fit, primarily because they can ride them just about anywhere (but you’ll want to make sure you have those padded bike shorts handy for long rides). (but you’ll want to make sure you have those padded bike shorts handy for long rides).. With the right bike, you can enjoy varying terrain, paths, and locations while still getting a workout.

E-bikes can also be more motivation for going up large hills that would otherwise be too daunting or exhausting to go up. With larger tires and pedal assist, traveling uphill isn’t much of a challenge. Because of this, you can exercise for longer and get more of a workout since you aren’t over-exerting yourself all at once.

But you will need to find the right e-bike. Although you can get electric mountain bikes or dirt bikes that let you ride on rough terrain, you can also choose from a hybrid e-bike that’ll allow you to ride wherever you want to. 

Being a hybrid generally means that the bike is good for street riding as well as riding on dirt roads, gravel, sand, or even grass. So, if you’re riding on a paved path but then find yourself on a rocky road, you won’t have to worry about turning around and can continue riding right through. And riding on the street won’t be a problem either.

Can you really get any exercise on an e-bike? Read this:

Do YOu Get Any Exercise on an Electric Bike?

9. Age Restrictions on an E-Bike

Electric bikes are made for adults, the purpose originally being to get them from point A to point B, such as to work and back.

So, it’s important to remember that, unlike a normal bike, there are age limitations to riding and owning an e-bike. This age limit varies in different states in the United States, but a majority of the states require you to be 16 or older in order to ride one.

However, in many European countries, acceptable rider ages are lower and range mostly from 14-16. But some countries have the lowest minimum age set at 12 years old.

Check out the chart below to see a few of the countries and U.S states and their minimum age requirement for riding an e-bike.: 

Age 16States: California, Arizona, Oregon, Florida, Tennessee; Countries: Mexico, Canada
Age 15States: Hawaii, Georgia, Texas, Idaho, Minnesota; Countries: Spain
Age 14States: Alaska; Countries: Scotland, Ireland, England
Age 12Countries: Japan, Italy, Portugal, Russia 

So you really do need to check with the laws in your state or country before letting your children ride an e-bike.

But, if you’re old enough to ride an e-bike, it’s an efficient, fun, and safe way to get to school or work, especially if they don’t have a car! Plus, they’ll get more exercise and probably enjoy it more than taking the bus or walking. 

10. Environmentally Friendly: Improve Air Quality

E-bikes have an environmental purpose as well. They don’t emit any toxic gas into the environment since they’re battery-powered. So, instead of driving your car everywhere and releasing toxic chemicals into the air, you can choose to take your eco-friendly bike to go to work, pick up groceries, or visit a friend. 

And, the less that people drive gas-fueled cars and turn to green e-bike options of transportation, the better our air quality will be! 

E-bikes also cause less damage to roads since they’re much lighter than a car and have much smaller tires.

11. Recreational: Way More Fun Than a Normal Bike!

Don’t forget that one of the main reasons to ride an e-bike is that you have more fun on it than on a traditional bike. Because e-bikes can go much faster and generally have bigger tires than a traditional bike, riding them tends to feel more like riding a recreational motor vehicle than a bike, especially if yours has a powerful motor.

Plus, it feels great to get out into the fresh air and nature while being able to take a long ride, either for exercise or without too much effort at all if you prefer it that way (just crank that pedal assist to level 5). Exercise, in addition to fresh air, has proven to be great for your emotional health as well. It’ll help you release endorphins, facilitate blood flow, and reduce stress. And riding an e-bike will ensure that you spend more time exercising just because it’s tons of fun.

Let’s face it, sometimes riding a standard bike can be frustrating, like when you aren’t able to make it up a hill or when you’ve traveled far and realized that you still need to go all the way back. With an e-bike, you won’t have to worry about this and can focus more on just enjoying the ride. 

Electric Bikes Serve Many Purposes

In summary, e-bikes are quite different than normal bikes in that they serve many purposes for riders. These include a faster ride for college students or commuters, a comfortable way to exercise, being able to ride farther and faster, and even reducing toxic emissions!

Still not sure why you should ride an e-bike over a traditional bike? Take a look at the related articles below.

How Much Should I Pay for an Electric Bike? Costs for Different Types of E-Bikes

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Cost of e-bike types: How Much You Should Pay for an E-Bike

Due to the increasing popularity of owning an electric bike, there are so many different types to choose from, as well as a wide range of prices. When it comes to buying an e-bike, the vast majority of riders aren’t sure what type they want. Plus, it’s hard to understand the varying costs of purchasing different models.

So, how much should you pay for an e-bike?

Most good quality electric bikes range in price from $1000 to $8000 or more. In general, you’ll pay a minimum of $1000 more to buy an e-bike than you would a standard bike. However, you should pay less than $4000 for any type of e-bike unless you’re a professional cyclist.

You should also consider that the costs can differ depending on the type of e-bike you want to ride.

For instance, road e-bikes can cost quite a bit more than hybrid or commuter e-bikes, as do electric mountain bikes. Road bike prices begin around $1500 and end upwards of $9000, on average.

E-Bike Prices: Cost & TypePriceRoad
Bike
Off-RoadHybrid
E-Bike
City/ Commuter
E-Bike
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand Fat Tire$1399XX
Rad Power RadRunner Plus $1749XXX
Lectric XP 3$999XXX
Giant Trance E+1 Pro$5600X
Trek Domane+ HP$7499+X
Blix Packa$1999X
Ecotric Hammer Electric Fat Tire$1275XX
Ride1UP Roadster$1095X
Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty$6300X
Ride1UP 700 Series$1695X
Aventon Level Commuter E-Bike$1499+X
Bakcou Mule Elite Electric Hunting Bike$5147+X
Specialized Turbo Levo SL$14,500X
Sample of 13 E-Bikes of Different Types and Their Cost

But figuring out how much you should pay for an electric bike is hard enough without factoring in the differences between a road e-bike and a hybrid one or an e-mountain bike and a road e-bike.

In this article, I’ve done the research for you so that you can compare the costs of the different types of e-bikes to help you decide how much you should pay for the type of electric bike you want.

What is a Road E-Bike and What Determines the Cost?

A comfortable electric road bike is, first and foremost, designed to ride smoothly and quickly along any paved road, path, or bike lane. That’s why they’ve historically been called “racing bikes”. This focus on riding comfort is one of the features that drive their generally higher price. However, there are other important factors that directly affect the cost and we’ll discuss these below.

Overall, a road e-bike with high-quality components and workmanship will cost you more than one with mediocre parts that you have to put together. That’s why road e-bikes have an average range of $1500-$9000, although you can buy them for slightly less and quite a bit more as well.

Road E-Bike for purchase
Trek Domain Road E-Bike

Comfort Features and Perks of a Road E-Bike

Because road e-bikes start at a higher cost than most other electric bikes, you can expect them to have higher-end features. They generally weigh less and have the perfect, narrow tires for riding on the road. So, the ride should be fast, smooth, and easy… and even more so when riding an electric bike!

And even the best electric bike companies know that if you’re willing to pay more for comfort features, then you’re also going to expect other perks. These will likely include more powerful GPS and LCD displays, built-in lights, and comfortable seats. Naturally, they’ll charge you more for these features as well.

Long-Range Batteries Cost More

If you want to go further on a single battery charge, then you’ll need a more expensive battery. Although this is true for any e-bike, it’s assumed that a road bike rider will want to go farther than other riders, thus needing a more powerful battery. And if riding long-distance is going to happen, then several other things need to be considered as far as reducing a battery’s charge.

Wind, temperature, tire pressure, and a biker’s own weight (plus the extra weight they are carrying on the bike) can drastically affect how long the battery lasts. Further, riding far is likely to include a more varied terrain in which the ride could end up climbing more hills along the way, thus requiring even more battery juice.

So, most road e-bike riders should consider whether they need a higher-powered battery to take the long rides they want. But they should expect to pay more for a higher Wh (Watt Hour) battery.

How Motor Power Affects the Price

Like other e-bikes, a road bike’s power is directly tied to the overall watts of the motor attached to it. The more help given to the rider when pedaling, the more powerful the motor is.

Most motors are between 250 Watts and 750 Watts, with some going up to 1000 Watts. The good news here is that, for a road e-bike, you may be able to stay within the 250 to 500-watt range, which will keep the cost down.

This assumes one of two things: Either you are a semi-professional bicyclist who needs only a little or occasional pedal assistance (because you’re already a strong rider without electrical help) or you’re planning on riding the road leisurely and don’t need to go up many hills. In the latter case, which includes most of us, you won’t need extra motor torque and can save a little money on this feature.

The Cost of High-End Road E-Bikes

At $9000, you’d expect to have the most comfortable, powerful, lightweight, easily balanced e-bike on the market. And that’s exactly what you’ll get!

Check out this incredible road bike from Colnago costing $7999+:

Colnago Road E-Bike Costs $8000

However, you don’t need to pay that much to get a good solid road bike that’s highly rated!

For example, you can get the Ride1UP Roadster for around $1095:

Red Ride1Up Roadster Best Overall E-Bike with thinner frame and tires
The Ride1Up Roadster is a great road bike for just over $1000.

What is an Electric Mountain Bike and Is it Worth the Cost?

So, what’s the difference between an electric road bike and a mountain bike? A lot actually! Whereas the road bike is built for paved roadways, a mountain bike is built for riding dirt and muddy mountain trails. They have flatter handlebars and wider, dirt and gravel-gripping tires, and full suspensions.

e-MTB Electric Mountain bike model
Trek Powerfly 4 e-MTB

Features That Increase the Cost

There are quite a few different things that affect the cost of an eMTB (electric mountain bike) as compared to any other type of electric bike. These will focus on the type of mountain bike, tires, and the other components that’ll get you over rough terrain successfully. Most eMTB’s are similar in price to electric road bikes: The average price is $1500-$10,000.

Full suspension is really the defining feature of any mountain bike and will add to its expense overall. This means that the bike has a suspension fork in front as well as a rear shock. These allow the bike to maintain control and traction when maneuvering over rough terrain. It also adds to the comfort of the ride.

Additionally, you’ll get wider tires built to handle dirt and gravel, a higher quality derailleur (chain system), and hydraulic disc brakes.

Higher Maintenance Costs

Not surprisingly, an electric mountain bike will cost you more to maintain given the bumpy, uneven terrain it rides through. So, this cost should be considered before purchasing one.

The fact is that more extreme riding conditions result in more frequent breakdowns and maintenance required. As electric bikes already have more expensive components than standard bikes, it’s like doubling the cost of maintenance! And, unfortunately, the original price of the e-MTB is a huge factor here: Cheaper bikes have cheaper parts. And these are even more likely to wear down faster.

Is an Electric Mountain Bike Worth the Cost?

Giver the higher buying price and maintenance costs of an eMTB, you might wonder if buying one is even worth it. First, understand that if you want to ride on dirt trails with steep hills and narrow paths, you just won’t be satisfied with any other type of e-bike.

Yes, there are hybrid e-bikes that cost less and can handle dirt paths. But there just isn’t any other e-bike that can handle this rough terrain flawlessly. Safety is a huge concern when you’re on narrow paths up high in the hills. So you need a bike that’s stable and easy to control through turns, and slips, and slides.

And, like any other recreational item, the cost is worth it if you use it regularly and get a lot of joy from it.

What is a Hybrid Electric Bike and Why Does It Cost Less Than a Road E-Bike?

Trying to pin down what exactly a hybrid e-bike is can be a bit confusing, which is why there are so many varieties of them in many different price ranges. In general, a hybrid is any variation of an e-bike that allows a cross between two different types of riding.

One type of riding allows you to ride smoothly on the road as well as on rougher terrain. Another might allow you to ride easily through the city but also do some light off-roading when needed. Some hybrid e-bikes have 4″ fat tires while some may have 3.0″ tires or smaller.

Interestingly, they actually have the benefit of being quite versatile while not being as expensive overall.

The Benefits of Hybrids and What They Cost

Since individual companies create their own variations of hybrid e-bikes, it’s harder to compare costs. However, in general, you can get a hybrid for between $800 and $4000.

The biggest benefit of choosing a hybrid is that you can choose a bike that has exactly what you want or need. You don’t have to get roped into only riding in one type of terrain or getting a bike that doesn’t have room to carry cargo. So you don’t have to limit yourself to only one type of riding experience or buy two different e-bikes to cover all of your desires.

Here’s why a hybrid is perfect if you’re in your 20’s and 30’s!

Here’s the e-bike my husband bought: A RadMini from Rad Power Bikes. He rides it on the road and in dirt trails (plus, it’s foldable). So, it really covers all of his needs. If you want to learn more about this awesome e-bike, now called the RadExpand, you can find it here.

Additionally, they are well-suited to just about anyone at any age because you can choose the features most important to you just by shopping around. If you want the ability to ride off-road but are more comfortable sitting upright than leaning over, then a hybrid could be right for you.

Or if you will mostly be riding through your city but want to be able to cross through city park dirt trails, then a hybrid will work out well.

Finally, electric hybrid bikes are just more cost-effective.

Why are Hybrid E-Bikes Cheaper Overall Than Electric Road or Mountain Bikes

The truth is that their price range seems to be lower than an electric road bike or mountain bike because they don’t specialize in one type of riding. Therefore, most of them don’t have the more expensive “comfort” parts made just for fast road riding or the higher-end suspension needed for rough terrain on a mountain bike.

Instead, you’ll find many electric hybrid bikes with good to very good quality parts but in a more moderate price range.

Get the ultimate comparison: electric road bikes vs hybrids!

What is a Commuter E-Bike and Why Are They Priced Cheaper Than Other E-Bikes?

A commuter e-bike might also be called a city bike or utility bike. It’s essentially the perfect bike for getting around town, running errands, or riding to and from work or school.

You can get one for under $400 (but we can’t vouch for quality here)! And you certainly don’t need to spend more than $2000 to get what you need.

Ready to know more about buying a cheaper e-bike? Find out!


Why Commuter E-Bikes Are Less Expensive

Because these “utility” e-bikes are considered more of an urban necessity, companies have designed models that are far cheaper than the other more recreational models. Although riding any type of e-bike can be a lot of fun, these are typically purchased to solve a need rather than a desire. Further, they’re likely to be ridden shorter distances.

Therefore, you can get a relatively inexpensive e-bike to take you on errands, such as buying groceries, that get you to work every day, or that allow for large cargo, such as bringing your kids along on the back. Depending on the e-bike, you can include a front or back storage rack, or both.

If you plan on riding with kids on the back, just make sure you find a cargo bike that will accommodate them. Don’t assume that each one will because they do come in different body length sizes.

Other Styles of Hybrid or Utility E-Bikes

Just as there’s so much variety in e-bikes, as discussed earlier, there’s also a great variety of uses for an e-bike. So there are a few more e-bikes to consider as far as need and cost go.

Foldable E-Bikes- Do They Cost More?

Yes, there are electric bikes that fold up! This allows you to travel with them, put them in the car to get to your favorite riding trail, and store them in a smaller place. this might be considered a utility bike, but there are many hybrids that offer this option. However, it will cost you more to include this feature because of the modifications made to an otherwise standard e-bike.

Not only does it need to be built to fold, but it’ll also need somewhat smaller tires to allow for folding without damaging the motor or the battery getting in its way. Even though this might increase the cost, there are several e-bikes in the lower price range that have this option. You shouldn’t have to pay more than $2000 for a good quality, foldable e-bike.

Want to Learn More About Foldable E-Bikes? Read this:

How Much is a Foldable E-Bike: Are Cheap Ones Any Good?

Get a Cruiser/Comfort Bike for Less Money

Often thought of as a beach cruiser, these e-bikes have wider, lightly-treaded tires and an upright seated position. Since they’re made for slow cruising, you can get them with a 250 Watt motor and still easily ride around. And without any other special features, you can find one for $1500 or less.

Costs of Owning The Different Types of E-Bikes

The cost of an e-bike isn’t just dependent on the purchase price; there’s also the cost of using it and maintaining it.

Using an electric bike will cost money in electricity and maintenance. But unless you live in a high-cost area, this shouldn’t really be much, especially when considered next to the price of putting gas in a car. Other than that, you can easily clean the bike yourself (just use a slightly damp rag to wipe it down but don’t spray it).

As mentioned above, electric mountain bikes can be quite a bit more expensive to maintain simply because of extreme riding. Even still, every type of e-bike needs extra care for the electrical components. Here’s what needs to be done and the general cost of doing it:

  • Tune-Up: On average, a regular tune-up will cost $75-$150 (about $300 per year on average)… Get your e-bike serviced every 3-6 months depending on the amount of time spent riding (and how hard you are on it)
  • Brake Adjustment and/or New Pads: This can be done during your tune-up, if needed, and will cost around $30-$40
  • Drivetrain Adjustment (or Replacement): $25-$75
  • Battery Replacement Every 2-3 Years or 600-1000 charges: $300-$800 (make sure you replace it with the best battery for your e-bike)
  • Extra Services for shocks and forks on an Electric Mountain Bike: $80-$300+ (this really depends on which services you’re having performed)
  • New Tires: $30 and up
  • New Tire Tubes: $5-$25
  • Flat Tire Fix: $10-$20
  • Helpful Accessories Under $25: $5-$25 each

Summary: Why You Should Pay Less Than $4000 for a New Electric Bike

Thanks to the immense and ever-growing variety of electric bikes, you shouldn’t need to spend more than $4000 on the perfect e-bike, especially if you’re a beginner rider. Even then, you should be able to find a good quality one with the features you want in the $1200-$3000 range.

Since most buyers will find a bike in this price range, I’ve included a list of e-bikes to check out that’ll work for most riders since they’re hybrid or commuter:

Hybrid or Commuter/Utility E-Bike Models Under $3000PriceType
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand$1499Hybrid
Rad Power RadRunner Plus$1199Commuter/Utility
Blix Packa Genie$1799+Commuter/Utility
Aventon Level Commuter E-Bike$1499+Commuter/Utility
Ride1UP 700 Series$1695Hybrid
Lectric XP 3 Folding$999Hybrid
List of E-Bikes You Can Buy That Don’t Cost a Fortune!

How Much is a Folding E-Bike: Are Cheap Priced Ones Any Good?

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E-bikes have many features that will make you want to buy one but there isn’t a more useful feature than having the ability to fold up in half. And the surprising truth is that the cost of having this additional feature isn’t that different than any other electric bicycle.

But how much does a foldable electric bike cost and are the cheaper ones still good quality?

Folding e-bikes cost between $450 and close to $4000, with a huge selection averaging around $1500. Because folding e-bikes are so popular, there are several high-quality brands and models to choose from that are priced in the cheaper range.

E-bikes are, in general, quite a bit more expensive than standard bikes due to their electrical components. And so you might think that having the added feature of being foldable would make it even more expensive than a non-folding e-bike. But, in actuality, brands need to modify features in their regular e-bikes to give them the ability to fold up, thus reducing some costs in other areas.

Some of the components that may decrease the overall price are the heavier weight, smaller wheel size, battery, and use of a hub motor instead of a mid-drive motor. I’ve addressed these more later in this article.

10 Folding E-Bike Brands and Models Listed from Cheapest to Most Expensive

Foldable E-Bike ModelPrice (USD)WeightWheel SizeBattery
Range
ANCHEER an-EB5 Plus Folding Electric Bike 350W$359.9926.5lbs12 inch15 miles
SWAGTRON Swagcycle EB-5$499.9937lbs14 inch15.5 miles
G-Force Electric Bike T42$899.0045lbs20 inchUp to 40 miles
Rad Power Bikes Rad Mini$1499.0067lbs20 inch45+ miles
Rad Power Bikes Rad Mini Step-Thru$1499.0068lbs20 inch45+ miles
Blix Vika+$1599.0050lbs20 inchUp to 45 miles
Emojo Lynx Pro Sport$1699.0055lbs20 inch30 miles
E-Joe 500W EPIK Carbon Folding Electric Bike$1799.0055lbs20 inchUp to 40 miles
Furo systems Furo X$2399.0033lbs20 inchUp to 38 miles
Tern Electric: Vektron S10 $3999.0048lbs20 inch15.5 miles
Hummingbird Folding Electric Bike$6000.00+23lbs13.7 inch30+ miles

To help you with your decision on what price to pay for a foldable e-bike, I’ve put together more information below.

How Much Does a Good Folding E-Bike Cost?

Depending on your personal budget, you can get a high-quality, good foldable e-bike for around $1500 give or take.

The reason for coming up with this price point is that if you want it to last and you want to be comfortable riding your e-bike frequently or long distances, you need one made with good quality components. If you buy one that’s too cheap, you’ll get an e-bike made with cheap, substandard parts… and it probably won’t even have a decent warranty.

To get a good folding e-bike, you can plan on spending at least $1000. When buying one, consider what affects the price so that you can decide what is more important to you.

How the Cost of a Foldable E-Bike is Determined

When it comes to anything electronic, smaller and lighter is more expensive. The same is true for electric bikes.

If a bike only weighs 48 pounds versus a hefty 68 pounds, it’s going to be more expensive because brands have to use smaller, lighter-weight components. And it costs a company more to get those components in the first place. So, they forward the extra cost to the buyer… you!

Parts that will vary significantly in price on a foldable electric bike are the battery, motor, weight, and tire size.

  • Battery: Batteries may be smaller than some electric bikes, especially mountain bikes, in order to fit properly and still allow the e-bike to fold up. And, if the battery is smaller, it is either going to be a good battery but more expensive, or it’s going to have a shorter life.

    So, this is a good example of why buying a very cheap folding e-bike isn’t such a good idea. It will cost you more in the end when you have to replace it quickly.
  • Motor: Foldable e-bikes often use a Hub Motor, as opposed to a Mid-Drive Motor. This is likely due to the ability to place a hub motor more towards the front or back of the bike, and out of the way of the folding component. Since a mid-drive is known for better performance, and is thus more expensive, using a hub motor will bring the cost of the e-bike down.
  • Weight: As discussed above, weight is the factor of the parts used on the bike. Bigger, less expensive parts make the bike heavier. And, thus, brands can charge less for these parts.
  • Wheel and Tire Size: Foldable e-bikes come with smaller wheels so that they can be folded up. The tires are usually about 20 inches as compared to a standard size of 26 inches. So, this makes an average foldable bike less expensive.

    However, many foldable e-bikes now have “fat” tires, which are wider and grip better on rough terrains like mountain trails, dirt, and sand. So, although the tire is smaller, it’s now wider, which can add back to the cost of the bike.

Further, although charging and maintenance costs will be close to the same as a non-folding e-bike, you should keep in mind that the part that folds the bike could need to be repaired at some point.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Folding E-Bike (Pros and Cons)

Before you decide to buy a foldable bike, take a look at the pros and cons to make sure that it’s right for you.

ProsCons
Easy to store in smaller areasIf you don’t have a place to store an e-bike at all,
having a foldable one won’t help much
May be cheaper overall than a standard e-bikeYou’ll still spend a lot of money
There are many good-quality foldable ones to choose fromIf you get a cheap one, it might not last long
They look cool!You might get a nasty look or two
(Fat tire folding bikes look a little like mopeds)
Fits more easily in your car, or on a bus or train
(perfect for commuters and travelers)
Heavy and can be hard to lift

The main reason anyone wants a foldable e-bike is so they can take it wherever they go. This is a huge advantage if you commute daily to work or school, love to travel, or want to ride on paths far from home. And it’s good to know that even with a relatively small budget, you can make it happen.

If you still think it’s too costly and unaffordable, consider how much money you can save as compared to driving a car. Not just in gas, but in maintenance! Buying a $1500 e-bike and riding it 10 miles every day will save you thousands of dollars compared to buying a car. And you’ll save thousands more in maintenance.

And an e-bike will get you further, faster than any other electric vehicle such as a scooter. Plus, can you ride your scooter on a dirt hiking trail? Probably not… the tires simply aren’t big enough.

Here’s another advantage. If you need a really small and lightweight folding e-bike, then you can find one with 16 or even 12-inch wheels, which will make storing, folding, and lifting so much easier.

So you just have to decide if the pros of having a foldable e-bike outweigh the cons. Once you decide to get one, you can find reasonably priced models in your budget range.

Best Folding Electric Bike under $2000:

As I’ve said, there are a ton of foldable e-bike options under $2000, so it’s a bit difficult to pick the very best one, especially since buyers value different things.

However, if you want an all-around flexible bike with tons of great features, then, after many hours of research, I can suggest what my husband and I decided to purchase…

A Rad Mini Foldaing E-Bike has smaller 20 inch wheels than a standard e-bike
RadExpand (RadMini) Folding E-bike by Rad Power Bikes

It’s the RadExpand (RadMini) Foldable E-bike from Rad Power Bikes. Check it out!

First of all, this bike is awesome because it comes in the standard model and then also has a step-through version. So you’ll most likely fit on the Rad Mini Step-Thru even if you’re a smaller-than-average person. And it’s super easy to get on and off it, without having to swing your legs over the top bar.

At $1500, it’s made with quality parts, like Shimano gear shifters, and has features that every serious e-bike rider will want:

  • A twist throttle (super easy to use and has quite a kick)
  • 20-inch wheels with 3.3-inch wide fat tires (grip the ground well through water and dirt)
  • 750 Watt, geared hub motor (powerful enough for just about anyone)
  • A speed of up to 20mph (up to 28mph with the throttle)
  • Five (yes 5!) Pedal-Assist Levels (there is no such thing as not being able to ride up a steep hill)
  • And up to 45+ mile battery range (which is way higher than most foldable e-bikes)

With this e-bike, we can go faster than we even want to and ride pretty much anywhere, including on sand and dirt trails thanks to the extra-wide, gripping fat tires.

Read my in-depth review about the Rad Mini Foldable E-Bikes here:

The Rad Mini Folding E-Bike: Is it any good for adults

Here’s the only downside to the RadExpand… it’s fairly heavy, weighing around 68 pounds. So if you don’t have the muscle or the help you need to lift it into the car, then you’ll want to find another option.

Best Folding Electric Bike under $1000:

If you’re looking for a bike under $1000, you’ll have lots of options but you’ll have to be careful about the quality. Some cheap e-bikes will just not measure up to ones that cost just a couple of hundred dollars more.

If you read the reviews, you might find that a 4-star rated foldable e-bike doesn’t measure up to what you want or need. If you plan on riding a lot, or far, a bike with a poor battery or a frame that squeaks will just cause you grief.

Further, even the e-bikes with a 4 1/2 star rating and 200+ reviewers seem to have one or more issues. And only you can decide which concerns are serious enough to make you want to avoid that bike.

So, choosing the best folding e-bike under $1000 basically comes down to what minor (or sometimes major) issues you are willing to put up with.

How Much is the Cheapest Electric Bike?

So let’s say that you decide you really want to try out a foldable e-bike but just don’t want to shell out the cash for an expensive one not knowing if it’s what you really want. You can then actually buy a foldable e-bike for $400-$600, either through the manufacturer or even on Amazon.

The cheapest electric folding bike I’ve found is under $400 (plus tax and a $20 delivery fee) from Ancheer.

It’s a pretty surprising find, given that Ancheer is a solid brand with lots of mid-range pricing. I also can’t believe it offers a throttle and can get you up to 20 miles per hour!

Here it is!

ANCHEER Folding Electric Bike, 20” Commuter (Amazon)

ANCHEER Folding Electric Bike Ebike, 20''
Check out the 20″ wheels… these offer a better riding experience than 12″ or 14″ wheels!

Because the tires are only 20″, as opposed to a typical 26″, this ebike is easy to fold up and put in a car or bus, or store in a small area. However, with narrow tires, this bike is best for riding on a paved path.

If you’re a commuter, student rider, or simply want to ride around town for groceries or for fun, then this could be the very cheap e-bike you’re looking for. It might also be the perfect electric bike for parents to give their teenagers who need an inexpensive ride to school!

And, this is nice… it has an overall 4 1/2 star rating on Amazon and you can read lots of reviews before purchasing!

So, although that might be the cheapest e-bike around, there are many that cost under $600 that are foldable.

You might like to read this article before buying a cheap e-bike:

Top 12 things to KNow Before Buying a cheap E-Bike

What is the Lightest Folding Electric Bike?

If you’re certain that you want a high-quality foldable e-bike, but you also want the lightest one, then you won’t get it for cheap. It’s going to cost you but it’ll certainly make it easier to fold and travel or commute with.

However, the price is going to be dependent on the type of e-bike you want as well. If you want a lightweight folding mountain electric bike, then you’re going to pay more than for an electric road bike.

Hummingbird claims to have the lightest foldable electric bike, coming in at under 23 pounds (3.4 Kg)! This UK company has definitely figured it out. But you’ll be paying around $4500 U.S. dollars (3745 Euros). Describing it as a “city bike”, they call it the “lightest electric folding bike in the world”.

Watch their video to see how easy it is to fold up and lift:

However, if you’re not quite willing to pay nearly $5000 for a foldable e-bike, then there are some other relatively lightweight options that’ll cost less.

In fact, there are some really cheap options, including the SWAGTRON Swagcycle EB-5. It folds up and comes in at 37 pounds and only $500.

Keep in mind that, in order to make a folding electric bike weigh less, you have to give up something. Most of the lightweight options are all about commuting and riding on the road. So, you won’t be doing any amazing off-roading. You’re also generally giving up power when you get rid of the weight.

What is the Average Cost of an E-Bike?

Average e-bikes, regardless of whether they’re foldable or not, range from $400 to $4000, with the most good-quality options in the $1000-$3000 range.

However, unlike foldable bikes that seem to cap their price around $4000, regular e-bikes can cost as much as $8000 or more! However, very few people will want or need to purchase an e-bike in that price range when you can get a high-quality one with fantastic features for less than $3000… and most likely for less than $2000.

Further, as e-biking becomes more popular and there are more brands and models to choose from, the average cost of an e-bike will likely decrease. As it is, there are so many different models. Therefore, you need to know what type of e-bike you want before searching for the perfect bike.

For example, an average road e-bike can cost quite a bit more than the average commuter e-bike. In general road bikes are priced closer to $1500 and end up on the expensive end of $8000. Electric mountain bikes are priced similarly higher.

And then there are hybrid e-bikes. Because of their cross-over nature, you can find a lot of these in the $1000-$3000 price range. They’re priced this way because they provide the ability to conquer the road and the dirt, but they don’t really specialize in either.

Conclusion

You can buy a good folding e-bike that’s affordable but not cheap in the $1500-$3000 range. But if you want to buy a cheaper one, you may get what you pay for.

So, the most important consideration becomes what type of foldable e-bike you want and what features will be most useful to you. Once you decide this, then read reviews on the brands and models you’re looking at before buying.

How to Use an Electric Bike: Step by Step Instructions for Beginners

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You’re planning on riding an e-bike for the first time and it’s a little scary. Getting injured or breaking an electrical component are both concerns. But if you follow simple instructions, those fears can be squashed in a matter of minutes.

Beginners can easily learn how to use an electric bike by following simple step-by-step instructions. They can complete each of these five steps and the included checklists and be safely riding an e-bike in no time.

5 STEPS: HOW TO USE AN ELECTRIC BIKECHECKLIST
Step 1. Do a Safety Pre-Ride CheckPre-Ride Checklist
Step 2. Check That You Have the Appropriate GearGear/Accessories Checklist
Step 3. Get Fitted to Your E-Bike and HelmetCorrect Fit Checklist
Step 4. Begin Your RideStart Riding Checklist
Step 5. What to Do After Your RidePost-Ride Checklist
Learn How to Use an E-Bike Step by Step!

Having been a beginner rider not too long ago, I remember all of the questions I had about how to use an electric bike. Now, in this article, I’ll answer a lot of the questions that I had when I was starting out.

I’ll also share a few of the mistakes that my husband, Marc, and I made when we were new to e-bike riding.

Step 1. Do a Safety Pre-Ride Check

As a beginner e-bike rider, you most likely have a new bike or are renting one from a reputable bike company… so both should be in good working condition.

But for safety’s sake and to reduce later inconvenience when something doesn’t work right during your ride, the first step to using an electric bike makes a lot of sense.

Doing a pre-ride check-up on your e-bike will give you the assurance that it’s safe and will work as you expect it to. You don’t want to get stuck far from home with a flat tire tube, loose chain, or battery that’s lost its charge. After all, e-bikes are heavy to push and may not even fit in the car that comes to rescue you.

Pre-Ride Checklist

Tires Inflated Properly
Battery Charged
Brakes Work
(Double-check if riding down hills!)
Chain in Good Condition
Headlight Shines Bright
Check off as you go!

Tires Inflated Properly

Check the air pressure with a tire pump or gauge. Make sure it’s set to the manufacturer’s specifications (check your e-bike’s manual or find it online). Tire pressure can be very different depending on the type and size of the tires, so it’s better not to guess on this.

Additionally, riding on tires that are under-pressurized can wear them out sooner or cause damage to the rims.

You might also want different pressure depending on what type of terrain you’ll be riding on. But, as a beginner, just know the standard pressure.

Battery Charged

Because you’re a beginner when it comes to riding an electric bike (and this might be your first time), you probably don’t realize how long you can actually be out riding. Not only will you have a ton of fun so time will pass quickly, but you can go fast, therefore ending up far away from home before you know it.

So make sure your battery is fully charged!

Additionally, check that your battery is securely locked onto the bike. Give it a gentle tug to make sure it isn’t loose.

Brakes Work

Squeeze both hand brakes to make sure they’re working. You should feel them tighten. You can even move the bike forward slightly as you apply each hand brake so you can feel them stop the bike.

If they squeal loudly and don’t clearly stop the forward motion of your bike, then get this fixed by a professional before you ride.

Chain in Good Condition

Check to see that your bike chain has not come off and that it rolls smoothly with the bike. If it makes a lot of noise or is “crackly”, then give it a bit of lubrication.

Headlight Shines Bright

Make sure your headlight turns on before you head out. You wouldn’t want to end up riding home later than you thought you would and end up in the dark, not at all visible to cars. However, a headlight is an important safety feature that can be used during the day as well to give you an extra level of visibility.

Step 2. Check That You Have the Appropriate Gear

Not only will the right accessories keep you comfortable on your ride, but they may also protect you from unforeseen mishaps and things you may have forgotten.

And comfortable gear will make your ride more enjoyable. Plus, for example, as a beginning rider, you may not realize how much colder it can be riding a fast e-bike, even if it seems warm outside in general.

Gear Checklist

Helmet
Water
Ear Coverage
Eye Glasses
Layered clothing
Sturdy Shoes
Tire Repair Kit
Rear-View Mirror
Sunscreen
Read Below to Discover Why These are More Important Than You Think!

Helmet

No bike rider should set out without a helmet. Period. But the fact that even an average rider tends to go fast on an electric bike (because it’s easy to do!) makes it even more important.

Further, as a beginner, you need some time to understand how quickly you can get moving on an e-bike, as well as how to slow down when you need to. Because it’s motorized, it starts a little quicker and but doesn’t stop as quickly.

FULL DISCLOSURE: On my first ride, I almost didn’t stop before hitting my daughter’s car. And when my husband was a beginning rider, he throttled too hard going up a dirt hill and did an accidental wheely, almost flipping the bike entirely. Thankfully, no one was hurt and we learned how to handle our e-bikes quickly.

The point is, you are too important not to protect your head! Take a look at the Recommended Gear list to get more info and suggestions on getting the right helmet.

Water

Many newbies set out without water thinking that it’ll be a short ride. However, when you’re out there having so much fun, it quickly turns into a long ride. Further, riding fast can really dry out your mouth and throat.

So take water with you. If you don’t have a water holder on your e-bike yet, then you can always take a small backpack or attach a water bottle to your bike rack.

Ear Coverage

Like I’ve said before, even if it’s fairly warm outside, riding fast wil make it feel much colder. If you have snestive ears, then you’ll definitely want to protect them.

Wear a headband that covers your ears, a hoodie (if it fits under your helmet), or a scarf or ski mask that covers your ears (these will keep your neck and face warm if it’s cold too).

Eye Glasses

The wind from riding can also dry out your eyes or whip small particles into your eye. You can help prevent this by wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses.

Layered Clothing

Even if it’s warm and you wouldn’t wear a jacket while walking, you might end up feeling pretty cold while riding. So, take at least a lightweight, stretchy jacket on your trip that’s easy to tie around your waste or fit inside your backpack or on your bike rack.

Wear comfortable top layers to peel off later in case it gets warm.

Sturdy Shoes

Wear sturdy shoes that help your feet grip the ground if you need to stop quickly. Solid shoes can also protect your feet from the bike and the ground in case you take a tumble.

Tire Repair Kit

As a beginner, especially if you have a new bike with new tires, you probably won’t need to repair any tires while out on your first few rides. However, there are no guarantees.

So it’s a good idea to have (and know how to use) a tire repair kit. You can get a small tire repair kit on Amazon for under $30.

Rear-View Mirror

I put a left-side rear-view mirror on my e-bike within a week of getting it. And there’s really no reason to wait. On my first ride, I immediately got nervous not being able to see what was coming up on my side. And, once I had it, I felt so much more comfortable riding.

The goal is to see what cars and other fast-moving bicyclists are coming up on your left (this applies to how we drive in the USA). This gives you an opportunity to move further right or slow down a bit to let them pass.

Sunscreen

Okay, this may be obvious, but you’ll be outside in the harmful rays of the sun much longer on your e-bike than if you were on a regular bike.

Take a look at the Recommended Gear I’ve compiled!

Step 3. Get Fitted to Your E-Bike and Helmet

Make certain your e-bike is well-fitted to your body before riding and that your helmet fits snugly. Because e-bikes are quite heavy, they can be harder to stop and manipulate than a regular bike.

Take a look at this list to be sure that everything fits correctly so that you have the best chance of staying in control of your e-bike.

Correct Fit Checklist

Fit Your Helmet Snugly
(Protecting your head comes first!)
Raise or Lower Your Seat
Tilt Your Seat If Possible
Adjust Handlebars
Adjust Rear-View Mirror
Get Comfortable on Your E-Bike with the Best Fit

Fit Your Helmet Snugly

Your e-bike helmet should fit snugly but also be comfortable. Look into a mirror to see that it’s laying flat on your head with the front edge well over your forehead. The tip of the helmet should be just above your eyebrows so that the front of your head is protected but it’s not blocking your vision.

Raise or Lower Your Seat

Move your seatpost up or down (keeping it pointed to the center of the bike) until you think it might be in a good spot. Then test it out by straddling the seat. When in this position, only the balls of your feet need to reach the ground.

Your feet do not need to be flat but if you fit on your e-bike this way and can still pedal comfortably, then it might work for you.

Tilt Your Seat If Possible

If your e-bike has this feature, play around with the tilt until you’re comfortable but still feel like you’re seated squarely and won’t slide off.

Adjust Handlebars

If your e-bike has adjustable handlebars, play with them until you find a comfortable arm position. This might differ depending on the type of e-bike you have and how you’re riding it.

Most beginning riders on an upright bike will find that having their hands reach the handlebars just below their shoulders will work nicely.

Adjust Rear-View Mirror

Your e-bike might not come with this, but as it was included in your “Gear Checklist” above, I obviously think it’s very important. So, if you have one, seat yourself and go ahead and adjust it away from your body.

This works just like a car rear-view mirror. If you can see a good part of your body, tilt it to the left more (assuming you have a left-side mirror) until you can see more of the street and less of your arm.

Step 4. Begin Your Ride

If you’ve completed the previous 3 steps, then you’re ready to start riding. This is where the fun begins!

You may have to complete some of this as a “mental” checklist once you take off riding, but you’ll most likely remember it since it’s just a couple of steps at the end.

Start Riding Checklist

Turn on Your E-Bike Battery Correctly
(Be careful not to unlock it!)
Set Your Display
Get on a Level Surface to Start
Begin Riding Far Away From Cars
and Other People
Start Pedaling on Level 1 Pedal Assist

Turn on Your E-Bike Battery Correctly

First, make sure you know how to turn your battery to “on” versus unlocking it from your e-bike. Practicing this a few times will also ensure that you’ll notice when you’ve accidentally left it in the “on” position when you’re done riding (I’ve done this!).

Then take the key(s) and decide where and how you’ll keep them safe (they’re usually pretty tiny). You may wish to take your key with you in case you’d like to stop in the middle of your ride and save the battery charge while you do.

Set Your Display

Make sure your display has the most important modes easy to read. You’ll definitely want to make sure you can read which pedal assist level you’re in at any given time. Make sure you know how to easily move between pedal assist levels.

And having your trip odometer reading showing will let you know if you’re going farther than planned.

In addition, you might like to know how fast you’re going at any given time, rather than your average speed.

Get on a Level Surface to Start

Since you’re new to using an e-bike, walk it to a level location before riding it for the first time. The first few times you ride you’ll really notice a kick to it when it starts.

So it’s best to explore how this feels where it’s flat and you don’t have to deal with shifting or changing pedal assist levels right away.

Begin Riding Far Away From Cars and Other People

The same is true here. Start far away from moving and parked cars, people, and other bike riders. Get adjusted to how the bike stops and starts, rides around corners, and uses its electric motor power, before riding in congested areas.

Start Pedaling on Level 1 Pedal Assist

When you begin riding, your e-bike should be at the lowest level of pedal assistance. Don’t worry about changing this immediately. Stay at the lowest level until you’re super comfortable with the feeling of the motor, as well as starting and stopping.

Read more about how to use the pedal assist feature and throttle:

How to Ride an E-Bike without Pedaling: Pedal-assist vs throttle

Step 5. What to Do After Your Ride

Don’t worry. There’s not much to do here. The purpose of completing this step is basically to make sure your e-bike is in good shape and ready for the next ride.

Then you’ll have less to do when you’re back to Step 1 (your safety pre-ride checklist).

Post-Ride Checklist

Clean Your E-Bike
Check Tires for Damage
Re-Charge Battery if Needed
Stretch Your Muscles
(yes, e-biking is exercise!)
Finish here and you’ll know how to use an e-bike!

Clean Your E-Bike

Wipe down your e-bike after each ride with a dry or slightly damp rag. Keeping it clean and free from debris will keep the electrical components in good shape for longer and protect your investment.

Read this article for more information on cleaning and maintaining your e-bike:

Riding Your E-Bike in the Sand: Tires and Maintenance

Check Tires for Damage

Check to make sure your tires haven’t lost significant air pressure. This can suggest damage to the tire. You might also like to fill them up so that they’re ready to go riding again tomorrow!

Re-Charge Battery if Needed

Before you turn off your digital display, check the battery level to see how much you used. This will give you a good idea how quickly the battery can be discharged based on the type of riding you’re doing.

Then you can go ahead and re-charge it so it’s ready for next time.

Stretch Your Muscles

Yes, you heard me! Don’t think for a minute that you won’t be getting good exercise riding an electric bike. New bike riders of any kind might feel tight in the hips, glutes, or legs (consider wearing padded bike shorts to reduce some of the discomfort). And, on an e-bike, you’ll likely ride farther and longer than expected.

So, be sure to ask your doctor or fitness professional about stretching before and after each e-bike ride.

Congratulations New E-Bike Rider: You’re Now an “Experienced” Beginner.

If you’ve followed each of the five steps and completed each checklist, you’ll have an easy time using an electric bike. Although you’ll probably feel like a beginner for several more rides, every riding experience you have will make you feel more comfortable.

Even though this step-by-step guide on how to use an e-bike seems lengthy, trust me when I say that these five steps will come naturally after doing them a few times. You’ll only be a beginner for a short time!

And using an e-bike to get around will provide more excitement and fun than any regular bike possibly could. The rewards will be great. Enjoy!

Do You Get Any Exercise on an Electric Bike?

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A common misconception about electric bikes is that riding one will make you lazy. The belief is that it is cheating when it comes to exercising. So, I have considered my riding experience and whether riding an e-bike is cheating. Further, I reviewed the research to determine whether you can get any exercise on an e-bike.

Because a rider has to pedal in order to activate the electric motor, riding an electric bike is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise. E-biker riders can get more or less exercise depending on how much they ride and how they ride. Moreover, certain riding habits directly affect the exercise benefits of e-biking.

In fact, a recent study confirmed that the average heart rate increases during e-biking use to 94% of the average heart rate. So, you can definitely get your heart rate up.

Still, there are a lot of things that affect how much exercise you get from riding and the quality of it. Keep reading and I’ll help you get the greatest health benefits by riding an electric bike.

How to Get Exercise on an E-Bike

The first thing to understand in order to get the most exercise is that electric bikes are meant to provide electric assistance. And this assistance is only given when you are actually pedaling, as this is when the motor senses it is time to work.

Most e-bikes have multiple levels of “pedal-assist” which lets the rider decide how much help they want from the motor at any given time.

In other words, you have to pedal to make e-bikes go. Thus, you’ll burn calories while pedaling using electric assistance, just as you would riding a traditional bike.

So what it comes down to is this:

You’ll get a varying amount of exercise by riding an e-bike. It’s up to you. You can increase your effort to get greater quality exercise by following these tips to improve cardiorespiratory fitness.

Riding Habits: Tips That’ll Improve the Quality of E-Bike Exercise

Naturally, when you ride longer, you’ll get more exercise. So creating good riding habits, just as you would with conventional bikes, will help you improve the amount and quality of exercise that you’ll get.

Here are some tips to improve your e-bike riding habits:

  • Keep your pedal assist level on the lowest level (0 or 1) for as long as you can, whenever you can. Increase it one level at a time as needed.
  • Don’t rely on the throttle to keep you moving. Use it when you need to move forward quickly (like out of the way of a car) or need a boost to get started up a steep hill. Just don’t use it to avoid pedaling entirely!
  • Ride to work, high school, or college classes. Because an e-bike can get you where you need to go easier than a standard road bike, you can get consistent exercise by riding every day on your commute. But what’s nice is that you won’t have to end up tired out or sweaty when you get there.
  • Pick up groceries or run errands. Just put a little rack or basket on the front or back of your e-bike or carry a backpack to put your groceries in.
  • Ride up hills. Riding hills provide a fantastic form of exercise because they require greater sustained effort to get up them. And with an e-bike, there’s no reason not to try going up even steep hills. You can make it as pleasant or as hard as you’d like. And as long as your pedaling, you’re getting exercise.

    Here’s how I tackle a hill: Start on your lowest pedal assist level and challenge yourself to pedal as long as you can without extra help. Then add more assistance by increasing your pedal-assist level little by little.

    I also find that setting my gears to 3 or 4 on a steep hill helps me get better exercise because I don’t need to increase pedal assist as quickly.
  • Make riding a daily habit. Start your day off with a ride around your neighborhood. This will get your blood flowing and increase your heart rate, giving you a burst of cardiovascular exercise. And, as a bonus, it can help you focus and increase your productivity for the day.
Put a basket or rack on your e-bike so you can get exercise by riding it to go shopping.
Exercise by shopping on an e-bike with a basket or rack to carry your purchases.

How E-Bikes Can Get You More Exercise Than on a Normal Bike

What’s all of the fuss about e-bikes making you lazy or not providing “real” exercise? It’s possible to get more exercise each week when you ride a fun electric bike instead of a conventional bike.

The truth is, because an e-bike makes pedaling easy, you’re much more likely to ride it in the first place. And, you’ll ride it further because you know you can handle it and that you’ll be able to get back home with motor assistance if you need it.

In turn, your motivation to ride is likely to increase even more. Therefore, you’ll ride more, burn more calories, and get more exercise.

If you have to ride up hills just to get in or out of your neighborhood, then there’s a good chance you’ll avoid bike riding entirely (like my husband and I did before we got our e-bikes).

But when you know that you can easily ride up a hill while still warming up your muscles and then easily get back up a hill to get home even though you’re tired, you’ll get on that e-bike way more often! And using the riding habit tips mentioned above, you’ll get exercise consistently and get fit on your e-bike.

Exercise Benefits for Seniors and Physically-Impaired

E-bike riding can provide great exercise for everyone. And that becomes even more clear when you consider how it can help seniors and the physically impaired.

Unfortunately, many seniors have limitations when it comes to exercise. Walking or riding a conventional bike could be a problem for many reasons, including a lack of strength, an injury, getting tired easily, or a chronic illness.

But, as long as they have no problem with balancing on and riding a bike, an electric bike will help seniors get the motor assistance they need to get where they want to go.

Senior woman getting exercise riding e-bike
Seniors will get more exercise riding an e-bike because it’s easier.

They can e-bike to their friend’s house, the recreation center, the store, or the doctor’s office. These places might be too far to walk or take too long to walk to. And if a senior is no longer driving, riding an e-bike is a great alternative.

So, not only can an e-bike give senior e-bike riders the freedom of mobility that they otherwise wouldn’t have, they can get the benefits of exercise as well.

This is true for anyone who has physical limitations that would still allow them to ride an e-bike, no matter their age.

With the assistance of the motor, they can get where they need to go, get a good workout, and get proper cardiovascular exercise.

More Research on E-Bike Exercise

Many people have wondered what the downside is to riding an electric bike versus a traditional one. And “exercise” is often brought up.

However, a 2020 study in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health used a real-world setting and let the participants decide how and when to ride their e-bikes for a two-week period. The results suggest that riding an e-bike is a “suitable” way to promote physical activity in otherwise healthy adults.

Another study in JMIR Publications compared exercise response in e-bikers, among other things. Although participants perceived their exertion while riding an electric mountain bike to be low, the results showed that most of them fell into the “vigorous-intensity heart rate zone”. Therefore, riding an e-bike was an intense form of physical, aerobic exercise for even experienced, athletic mountain bikers.

Additional research shows that e-bike riders take longer trips as compared to people on standard bicycles. Thus, even if the exercise isn’t as intense, e-bike users ride farther and for longer periods of time, providing them with physical exertion for longer.

One more study discovered that when people rode e-bikes, cars were used much less frequently. And, naturally, riding an e-bike will increase your exercise time substantially over sitting in a car.

E-Biking for Exercise Conclusion

When you ride an electric bike, you are getting effective exercise. No matter whether your goals are to burn fat, increase cardiorespiratory fitness, reduce blood pressure, or achieve weight loss, e-bike riders can get moderate-intensity exercise and reach desired fitness levels.

Riding an e-bike just makes exercise a bit easier and even more enjoyable than brisk walking.

E-bike riders can get moderate exercise on an e-bike with less effort and less physical fatigue. If you’re not feeling like you’re getting enough energy expenditure, just decrease motor assistance and use your entire body to tackle hills, or simply ride more often to the places you want to go.

Are E-Bikes Allowed on Sidewalks in the United States?

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Riding an e-bike provides a ton of rewards. However, the one major risk of riding is getting into a collision with a motor vehicle, leading many cyclists to want to ride on the sidewalks where they feel safe.

But are you allowed to ride an e-bike on a sidewalk in the United States?

In general, e-bikes can ride on sidewalks in many cities and states. However, the Federal government leaves it to the individual states, counties, and cities to determine whether they will allow e-bike riding on sidewalks.

Some states still classify e-bikes as motor vehicles (and treat them like a moped) making riding on sidewalks clearly illegal. Therefore, you need to obey the local laws.

And figuring out the laws is a bit of a challenge. It’s hard to understand whether or not it’s okay to ride on the sidewalks because each local area may have different rules.

However, the good news is that there are usually clear bicycle laws in each city as well as rules of etiquette when riding an e-bike that’ll keep you safe and out of trouble. I’ll tell you about these and give you several tips to make sidewalk riding (when allowed) more comfortable and enjoyable.

When Electric Bikes Can (or Should) Ride on Sidewalks

Other than when you’re in a state that still classifies e-bikes as motor vehicles, such as New Mexico, Alabama, or Massachusetts, you’ll be allowed to ride on a sidewalk in many local areas.

In fact, if the e-bike you’re riding is classified and defined as a “bicycle” within the area of the U.S. in which you’re riding, then you should feel comfortable following the standard bicycle laws about riding on the sidewalk.

Read the article for more on bike classification and where you’re allowed to ride your e-bike in the U.S.

So, you really must find out from each city you plan to ride in:

1. Where e-bikes are allowed to go in the city: Specifically ask… can you ride them on the sidewalk, on multi-use paths, in the business district, in shopping centers, or in other pedestrian areas?

2. And if they can be legally ridden on the sidewalk: Be sure to clarify where it is acceptable to ride on a sidewalk. It may be okay in the residential areas but not in the city’s “downtown” area.

Contact the local City Hall online or in person for more information.

Finally, there are a few reasons that you probably should ride your e-bike on the sidewalk (it still might not be “legal” however):

  1. When there are no bike lanes and you’re in a busy area or on a street where cars are moving fast.

2. When the bike lane isn’t wide enough for cars to stay a safe distance from you (in California and other states, that’s at least 3 feet).

3. If your bike isn’t working properly and could put you in danger if you’re on the street.

4. Anytime you’re stuck in a situation where you fear for your safety and it would be better to get a ticket (and worth fighting it) even if it might be illegal. Or… maybe you should just walk your bike. Some e-bikes even have “walking” modes to make it easy.

Woman and man walking bikes across a crosswalk in a city

You won’t have to ride on sidewalks on these amazing USA paved trails!

Reasons E-Bikes Should Not Be Ridden on a Sidewalk

Even if you feel safer riding on a sidewalk than on the road with fast cars, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are safer or that you should stay on the sidewalk.

Here are several reasons you should avoid riding on sidewalks whenever you can:

  1. Business districts in large cities have a lot of people walking around: The potential for injury to both the e-bike rider and pedestrian magnifies greatly just based on the larger number of people in one area.
  2. Risk of harming pedestrians: Any time there could be a significant danger to pedestrians, you should stay off the sidewalk.

    For example, someone could get harmed while riding on the sidewalk when kids are getting let out of school, or there’s a “walk-a-thon” charity event, or the sidewalk is just too narrow for you to pass anyone safely.

    If the road is too dangerous for you to ride on, then consider walking your e-bike on the sidewalk until you get into a safe spot to ride again.
  3. You like to ride fast: If you’re not willing to slow down for pedestrians, and even children riding bikes, then everyone will be happier if you stay off the sidewalk.
  4. Too many driveways and crosswalks are in your path: Riding on the sidewalk can actually be more dangerous to the bike rider in some circumstances.

    Cars don’t expect fast-moving e-bikes to suddenly appear when they are backing out or when they’re moving through crosswalks. In other words, bike riders can be invisible!
  5. It’s illegal: Yep, this is pretty straightforward. If it’s clearly illegal to ride your e-bike on sidewalks where you’re at, you shouldn’t ride there. Some cities will post signs and have street markings telling bikes where they can ride.

    And it’s most likely for a good reason: Your safety and the safety of pedestrians.

How to Keep the Peace with Pedestrians on the Sidewalk

Woman riding her bike in densely populated are on the sidewalk

You won’t find many pedestrians happy to share the sidewalk with you. Most would rather you were not allowed on a sidewalk. Having a bike whizzing past while you’re walking, especially when it wasn’t there a second ago, is sometimes startling and scary.

Then add the fact that you’re on an e-bike. They might hear a slight whirring of your motor which makes them feel even more that you shouldn’t be riding on the sidewalk. Or, if your e-bike has fat tires, it might look more like a moped to them.

People on the sidewalk are often walking casually and may even swerve a little while talking to a friend. Or a parent may stop suddenly to take care of the baby in the stroller. And a child could quickly dart to the other side of the sidewalk to see a lizard.

So, when you zoom past someone walking, even if you ring your bell as a warning (which can be startling in itself), they’re likely to be annoyed, imagining what could have happened.

So, here’s a suggestion… Slow down considerably when you’re approaching a walker or jogger. This will let them know that you understand their concerns and are looking out for them.

You should be going slow enough to offer a friendly “Hello” or “Have a nice day”. And use your bell close enough for them to hear and have a warning that you’re coming, but not so close that you’re already passing by.

Bike Lane Safety for E-Bikes

So, if you don’t want to (or aren’t allowed to) ride your e-bike on the sidewalk, then you’ll most likely end up riding in a bike lane.

When riding in a bike lane, follow these safety tips:

  1. Get and use a rearview mirror: This will give you the ability to always see if there’s a car coming up on your left. You might realize that you can then move further to your right in the bike lane, or decide to slow down until it passes.
  2. When in the bike lane, always stop at red lights or stop signs and yield the way to pedestrians, just as you would if you were driving a car.
  3. Signal when you’re going to make turns or stop. Review those hand signals!
  4. If the bike lane contains debris or construction, use your hand signals to safely move around it or move off the road (and perhaps onto the sidewalk briefly).
  5. Always stay as far to the right in the bike lane as possible.
  6. If your electric bike has a throttle, use it to move out of intersections and unsafe locations quickly. But, first, take a glance around you and don’t use the throttle to speed through intersections or crosswalks.

Thankfully, many cities are becoming more bicycle-friendly, some even adding wide, protected, well-marked bike lanes. These lanes keep you safely separated from cars, with at least a low barrier. You won’t even miss sidewalks!

Consider traveling to these cities with your e-bike to catch the views and travel safely within miles of protected bicycle lanes: Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA, and Portland, OR

The 7 Best Places to Ride Your E-Bike in California

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California is one of the most amazing places to ride your e-bike in the U.S. thanks to the weather, beautiful views, and wide bike paths. Exploring scenic California on an e-bike gets you to places you never could have on a standard bike.

There are seven incredible bike paths to ride your e-bike on in California, each one with stunning views and a wide, paved path. These paths include coastal and forest trails in southern, central, and northern California, including trails in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Monterey.

I’ve researched and put together a list of the best places to ride an electric bike up and down the state of California.

Here are the seven best places to ride your e-bike in California:

California Bike PathsSouthernCentralNorthernCity
Rincon Bike TrailXVentura
Monterey Bay Coastal
Recreation Trail
XMonterey
West Cliff Drive Bike Path XSanta Cruz
The StrandXLos Angeles
Joe Rodota Bike TrailXSanta Rosa
American River TrailXSacramento
Pacific Beach BoardwalkXSan Diego

Learn about each of the trails below so that you know what to expect before you go. And make sure to check out the E-Biking “Thumbs-Up and Thumbs-Down” for each place mentioned in this list.


Rincon Bike Trail

One of the best places to ride your e-bike in California is on this beach path

Thanks to the installation of a paved bike path running alongside the 101 highway (instead of on it!), this California route is now a fantastic 10-mile bike ride between Ventura and Carpenteria.

With a nonstop view of the coast, a wide bike lane, and your electric bike, it’s also an easy and comfortable ride. Watch the surfers and playful dolphins as you cruise.

You can start in either Ventura or Carpenteria. However, there is a parking lot at Rincon State Beach in Carpenteria that makes for easy parking and a State Beach to hang out on before or after your ride.

And the other great thing is that you can enjoy a fantastic meal or snacks on the beach at either end of your ride.

Try fish and chips on the Ventura Pier or tacos in Carpenteria. Further, you can stop in the middle at the famous Cliffhouse Restaurant, which overlooks the ocean. It’s pricey, but you can always stop for a nice appetizer as well.

I haven’t stopped here myself, but I’ve read that there is a Fire Station (Number 25) along the route in Faria Beach where you have access to a clean bathroom, drinking water, picnic tables, and even a bike pump and tool station. So, keep an eye out for it!

E-Biking Thumbs upSince it’s mostly flat, you can really get moving fast on your e-bike (but do watch for people walking)!
E-Biking Thumbs DownIf you’re going to use low pedal assist for exercise or to take it slow, you may want to bring your own snacks since there isn’t anywhere to stop in between the two cities.

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

View of the ocean from Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail

Monterey is one of my absolute favorite places in California (one of my kids graduated college here). It’s well-known as one of the most scenic coastlines and has a multi-use trail that you can ride your e-bike on for 18 miles.

Also called the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail, you can begin riding the trail in Castroville and continue down the coast to Pacific Grove, following an old Cannery Row railway route.

Your breath will be taken away by the unique cypress trees and rocky coastline. Even the ice plant along the path is amazing, turning fall colors and blooming majestically.

Stop to view the sea lions along the way, or perhaps catch a glimpse of a sea otter or even a pod of whales Just be sure to turn off your e-bike’s motor while you enjoy them.

And there are plenty of other places to stop along the way. Take a few hours at the well-known Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove.

You’ll find great places to eat and people-watch in both Monterey and Pacific Grove. But be sure not to get lured into complacency because of the surrounding beauty. You still need to lock up your e-bike tight!

But don’t let the end of the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail stop you. Once it ends in Pacific Grove, you can continue to ride to Carmel and get on the famous “17-mile drive”. If your electric bike’s battery can keep its charge for 40+ miles, you just might make it!

E-Bike Thumbs UpCan’t beat the Monterey peninsula’s scenery and you can take it all in because you’re riding an e-bike!
E-Bike Thumbs DownIt can be cloudy and chilly, so come prepared wearing layers (but trust me when I say that the scenery is amazing on almost any day)

West Cliff Drive Bike Path

View of the West Cliff Drive Bike Path in Santa Cruz

Even though this is a short 3-mile path, this bike trail has a ton to offer for a day of sightseeing on your e-bike.

Since the path is so short, you may even just wish to rent an electric bike when you are in the area. You can do this at Pacific Ave Cycles, just a short block away from the trail.

You can start your ride at the San Lorenzo River and head north to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, where you’ll find the classic California amusement park with carnival games, rides, and more.

Then use a little pedal assist to climb up the cliffs to Lighthouse Field State Beach and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Naturally, you can watch the surfers crash through huge waves here.

Finally, keep going up the stunning coastline while keeping an eye on the kelp beds for floating sea otters. And, in the Spring, you may even catch the whale migration! You’ll reach the end of the trail at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Park your bike on the sand, being careful not to throw sand all over your bike and its electric parts, and take a relaxing break while enjoying the beauty.

E-Biking Thumbs UpYou’ll have no problem tackling cliffs on your e-bike, and even riding around the more hilly areas of Santa Cruz.
E-Biking Thumbs DownIt’s a really short trail on an electric bike but plan on stopping frequently to enjoy the views and activities.

The Strand

E-bike on the Strand bike path in Los Angeles, California

The Strand (aka the Marvin Braude Bike Trail and the South Bay Bicycle Trail) in Los Angeles is a busy place, like many in Southern California.

But this path is like no other, especially on an e-bike. It’s 22 miles long and passes through multiple classic Los Angeles coastal cities including Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Manhattan, and Redondo Beach.

If you start at Torrance Beach, you can ride your e-bike north all the way to Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades. Stop along the way for lunch at your choice of numerous on-the-boardwalk, ocean-view eateries.

Although this paved trail is abundant with bikers, walkers, runners, skateboarders, electric scooters, and people maneuvering the crowds with large surfboards, it’s still quite roomy and easy to navigate. Just watch out for other people moving fast and not paying attention!

The path is well-maintained and has markings on the ground and on signposts making it easy to see where you should be riding your e-bike.

People-watching is in abundance here. You’ll find people playing volleyball, sunbathing, skating, biking, and doing any number of things you may never have seen before, especially in Venice Beach!

Plan on spending some time checking out the restaurants and shops in Venice and Santa Monica. Plus, you won’t want to miss the Santa Monica pier with its roller-coaster and carnival rides.

Because you can literally ride and explore all day on your electric bike, make sure you have a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen… you’re in sunny southern California after all.

If you don’t have your ebike with you, there are a number of bike rental shops where you can rent an electric bike as well.

E-Biking Thumbs upPlenty of interesting people and sights to discover all day long
E-Biking Thumbs DownVery crowded on weekends… pick another day during the week or be prepared to move slowly on your e-bike through the more crowded areas (like Santa Monica and Venice Beach)

Joe Rodota Bike Trail

This is an 8.5-mile bike trail that runs between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. It’s hard to believe that this trail, even though paved, offers a variety of landscapes to view, all of which are super easy to take in on your e-bike.

Start the path between West 3rd Street and Railroad Street at the Prince Memorial Greenway in Santa Rosa. Throughout this bike trail, you’ll follow an old railway and pass three bridges, a huge wetland area home to over 200 animal species, and agricultural land.

Because it’s in the lowlands, make sure you’re prepared after a rain… you and your electric bike might get wet. So, wear your rain boots and bring a towel to dry off your electric components after your ride.

Grab a variety of local eats in Sebastopol at The Barlow Center, an upscale farmers market.

E-Biking Thumbs UpBecause it’s relatively flat, you can get great exercise by turning off your e-bike’s pedal assist or keeping it on low
E-Biking Thumbs DownI’ve read complaints of homeless encampments along the trail, so if you’re concerned, make sure to check on this situation before you go.

American River Trail

The American River Trail travels through inland California and is one of the longest, paved, two-lane bike paths in the United States at 32 miles! This is why it’s perfect for e-bike riders, as most people couldn’t make a 32-mile ride on a standard bicycle.

Start in Sacramento’s old town at Discovery Park. Because this path follows the snow-fed American River and meets up with the Sacramento River, swimming spots can be found throughout the route.

Although you can’t beat having access to the river, you’ll be happy to know that there are also plenty of places to get fresh drinking water, have a picnic, and take a restroom break.

This American River Trail has been named “Traveler’s Choice” on Trip Advisor. With its immense wildlife and stunning scenery, the ride goes by quickly. Bicyclists report seeing deer, egrets, herons, and even turkeys, along with Steelhead trout and Chinook salmon during the spawning season.

Further, there are parks, restrooms, and water fountains along the way, making what could be a very long ride without amenities, easy.

And Because you’re in Sacramento, there is no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat or to take in California history when you’re done riding.

E-Biking Thumbs UpMultiple swimming spots along the way… bring your swimsuit and water shoes.
E-Biking Thumbs DownBecause it’s a very long trail, consider your fitness and health before setting out… of course, you can always choose to ride just a portion of the trail

Pacific Beach Boardwalk

Cassic wooden rollercoaster on bike path in San Diego

In San Diego, California, the Pacific Beach Boardwalk (which connects to the Mission Beach Boardwalk) is a place not to miss. Although the boardwalk is only a little over 5 miles long, you’ll want to bring your e-bike along.

Start your ride at the beginning of the boardwalk at Law Street Park. As you head south, enjoy the beautiful white, sandy beaches, surfers, and people-watching.

It can get pretty crowded during the summer and on weekends, so consider whether you can ride your e-bike on this path at a better time.

South of Pacific Beach, Mission Beach offers restaurants and bars, as well as a classic wooden roller-coaster (fully restored) and other carnival rides at Belmont Park. Plus, it’s fun to people-watch (check out the serious sand volleyball players), shop, view the beach houses, and get a bite to eat or drink.

Watch out for other fast-moving skateboarders and bicyclists. And slow down to keep the walkers and runners safe.

Since you can probably go much further than the five miles on the Pacific Beach Boardwalk on your electric bike, feel free to go up and down the boardwalk more than once! Or head into Pacific Beach using the bike lanes to find a great place to grab an ice-cold beer.

E-Bike Thumbs UpIf you’ll be in San Diego for more than one day, there are lots of other inland trails to ride your e-bike on.
E-Bike Thumbs DownYou’ll probably need to ride slowly as it’s often a crowded boardwalk.

Traveling by car? Find the right bike rack here!

Is It Legal to Ride My E-Bike on Bike Trails in California?

Before you head out on all of these amazing rides, many of which you might do while on a California road trip, you probably want to know if it’s actually legal to ride your electric bike in certain places.

Fortunately, California is very e-bike friendly. E-bikes can generally follow the same rules and laws as standard bicycles. However, each bike trail, city, or location can have its own limitations.

find out more about e-bike riding rules in the National parks, State Parks, and public lands.

Often these limitations have to do with your e-bike’s classification and use of the throttle or pedal assist.

Check out each location, prior to driving a long distance, to find out if there are any limitations. And watch for signs on the trails. Some trails will exclude bikes entirely, while others won’t allow the use of the throttle.

The primary reason for e-bike trail limitations in California is to keep these trails safe for all using them (including hikers and walkers) and to minimize damage to the trail itself.

So although California encourages e-bike riding, you should always know the local laws and rules before heading out on a ride on any bike trail or multi-use path.

Discover more trails! Learn about the 7 best e-bike trails in Colorado!