Why You Should Buy An Electric Bike

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular and are a great investment for a number of reasons you should buy.

They are environmentally friendly, they save you money on fuel and they are really fun to ride. E-bikes can be an incentive to those not necessarily inclined to ride a regular bike, onto the roads and trails for a healthier lifestyle and it does not matter what age you are. 

So have a read through all the information below on why riding an electric bike is the way to go if you are hesitant about getting on 2 wheels.

What Is The Difference Between An Electric Bike And A Regular Bike?

E-bikes offer many of the same benefits as a traditional bike, but with some added advantages.

An ebike is a bicycle with an electric motor that pedal-assists the rider, this can make climbing hills and riding into a head wind so much easier. The motor can be activated by a throttle on the handlebar or by pedalling. 

They typically have a maximum electric assisted speed of 15-20 mph, once you pedal above this speed, the motor will not assist you.  They also have a range of 20 to 40 miles before needing to be recharged.  If you run out of power, you can revert to pedal power, just make sure you don’t run out of power at the bottom of that big hill.

They are heavier than traditional bikes because of the motor and battery and they cost more than regular bikes, though, like all new technology, prices are coming down and bikes are getting lighter as new battery technology and motor systems emerge, but consider this, you probably will not notice the extra weight as the extra power generated by the battery overcomes the extra weight.

Why would I choose an Electric bike over a traditional bike?

Riding an e-bike gives you a helping hand with the extra power available so you can go further for less effort.  

Your preferred type of riding will decide what type of bike to purchase.  If you want to start exercising or commuting or just want one to use as a general mode of transport , but are put off by the exertion you will have with a traditional bike when faced with hilly roads or a head wind, an ebike is the way to go.

If you want to challenge yourself during your ride, you can always turn the power assist down or off, or reduce the throttle.

As riding an e-bike will make cycling easier, less stressful and much more fun, you will be more inclined to get out and ride your bike more often and receive all the health benefits that come with regular exercise, such as: 

• Cardiovascular health
• Muscles strength increased
• Stress relief
• Reduced body fat

Yes, you are still pedalling, so you still get a workout.

They can be safer in traffic, getting you out of potential trouble as they have the ability to accelerate faster than might be possible on a regular bike.

Heavier loads can be carried, making shopping trips more viable and also the ability to go on long distance touring trips.

If you have a recurrent injury, such as knee problems, an e-bike could help you get back on the road.

What types of Electric Bikes are there?

There are many types of ebikes available on the market today. Whether you’re looking for a commuter bike to get you to and from work, a road bike to enjoy the open road, a mountain bike to tackle the trails, a touring bike for long-distance rides, an urban bike for getting around town, or a gravel bike for exploring off-road, there’s an ebike out there that’s perfect for you.

Contact your local ebike retailer to find an bike that suits your requirements.

Are Electric Bikes heavy?

Compared to a regular bike, yes they are, this is because they have a motor and battery to assist you with pedaling, but as mentioned above, you probably will not notice the weight as the assisted power overcomes the extra weight and therefore they don’t require as much effort to pedal.

Do you have to pedal an Electric Bike?

Yes, you still have to pedal , the pedal-assist just makes it easier to pedal, you cannot ride without pedaling. Just do not let your battery run out, as pedaling without the motor is not much fun up a hill, unless you are a light weight cyclist who enjoy putting themselves through the pain.

You can also just use leg power, especially on those flat, tail wind assisted roads or on a long descent, saving battery power for those long rides.

How Far Will An Electric Bike Travel?

The distance an e-bike can travel depends on a number of factors, including the battery, the terrain, and the rider’s weight. A typical bike can travel between 20 and 50 miles on a single charge (I have seen reports of 100 miles). However, if the terrain is hilly or the rider is heavier, the e-bike may not travel as far.  Also depends on the Power (watts) and the battery (ah).

Apparently, a throttle assisted system will use more power than a pedal assisted system, how much of a difference that really makes doesn’t seem to be thoroughly researched, but gleaned through user experience, but maybe a factor to consider.

How Much Power (Wattage) Will I Need?

Not a question of how much power you need, more a question, how much wattage is allowed, and in most European countries the maximum wattage is 250w to be considered legal to ride as a bicycle.

In the US it is less than 750W (not = to 750W) as long as it does not exceed 20mph.  Check out the 3 classes of e-bikes in the US here.

What Is The Best Brand For An Electric Bike?

There are so many manufacturers it is near impossible to name the best brand to buy.

You could stick to well established bicycle manufacturers, such as Raleigh, Specialized, Trek, Brompton, Cannondale, Marin and Giant who now also manufacture ebikes.

You could look at other lesser known worldwide brands such as RAD, Orbea and Pedego.

You may want a brand that is manufactured in your own country.

Whatever brand you decide to go with, it needs to suit your budget and riding style.

How Much Does An Electric Bike Cost?

The cost varies enormously from $1000 to $10000, depending on what type of ebike you want.

On average you can expect to pay from:

• $3000 to $7000 for folding or cargo bikes.
• $3000 to $10000 for Road/Gravel (Racing) bikes.
• $3000 to $10000 for Mountain bikes.
• $1000 to $3000 for Urban/City bikes.

If you shop around, look for deals, you can always pick up a bargain.

Second hand market is also an option, but I do not need to tell you about “Buyer Beware”. 

Will I Need To Maintain My Electric Bike?

Think of your e-bike as a conventional bike, it still needs to be cleaned and requires the same basic maintenance to keep the bike road worthy and safe, regular servicing will also prolong its life.

Now,  you can either take it to your local bike shop, making sure that they are knowledgeable and experienced with servicing e-bikes or you can maintain and service it yourself.   If the bike shop offers a free service after X months, take advantage of this.

Doing your own maintenance and servicing is not difficult (ok, for someone who has ridden bikes all their life and is used to doing this, it is not difficult) but even for someone that is a complete novice, maintaining and servicing can be learnt, there are plenty of youtube videos out there, and you don’t need a fancy stand, though it does make it easier to work on.

How Do I Charge My E-Bike?

Batteries can be charged by plugging into any available 110V or 220V electrical outlet (depending on what continent you live on).

There are also alternative ways you can charge your battery, here is a small selection:

• Solar Panels.  If you live off grid or are travelling with your RV and have solar panels fitted, then you can charge your battery via an Inverter using a 100 -220 W solar panel.
• Solar Generator.  Continuing with the Solar theme, you can plug the battery into a solar generator, a generator which has already been changed by your solar panels.
• Car Battery.  Connect the positive and negatives terminals of both batteries, start the car and let it run until the bikes battery is charged.  Please ensure you know what you are doing.

Do I Need Insurance for an E-Bike?

As long as your ebike falls into the category of an ebike, then no, you do not have to be insured in the UK or US but check your own country regulations, but it is unlikely, however, it is recommended that if you don’t have to, that you do.

Reasons for having specific Bicycle Insurance: 

1. To protect your investment. An e-bike is a  significant investment, and you will want to protect it in case of an accident or theft. Bicycle insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement.

2. To cover your liability. If you cause an accident while riding your bike, you could be held liable for damages. Bicycle insurance can help cover the cost of medical bills or property damage if you’re at fault in an accident.   

3. Peace of mind on the road.

Bicycle Insurance from a specialised insurance company is not expensive, especially when compared to the price of a new e-bike, so therefore is well worth the small annual price charged.

Do I Need A Licence for an E-Bike?

In the US, in certain states, you may need a driver’s licence to operate an e-bike.  You can check the requirements for riding an ebike for each state here.

In the UK no licence is required and  as long as the ebike has pedals, the motor will not assist you over 15.5 mph and the power doesn’t exceed 250 watts, then it can be ridden as you would and where a regular bicycle can be ridden.  You can get more detail here.

In the EU, they seem to be similar to the UK regulations, however, with the extra requirement that in the EU, a man with a red flag must walk in front of the ebike, but this guide here will clarify the requirements.

For other countries around the world, you will have to check your country’s regulations.

Is An Electric Bike Good For The Environment?

Electric bikes are great for the environment. As they do not run on Petrol/Gas or Diesel, they do not produce any emissions, so they do not contribute to air pollution. They can also help reduce traffic congestion and save people money on fuel.

If the batteries are charged using solar power, the bike then becomes 100% environmentally friendly.

Conclusion

Buying an e-bike and the right type of bike that suits what you need it for, will be a confusing and somewhat challenging experience.  Go back and review this article, remember why you are looking at buying one in the first place.

But to save you the trouble I will tell you why you want to buy one, they are an economical form of transport, they will get you out in the fresh air, exercising and exploring, you can go faster on an electric bike than a traditional bike and with less effort, making cycling more enjoyable, and if you like contributing to an environment where there is a reduced reliance on fossil fuels, you should get one.