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How to Ride an E-Bike Without Pedaling: Pedal Assist vs Throttle

By
Lisa Sylvester
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0

Riding an e-bike is a truly exciting and new experience for many. And learning how to ride an e-bike can bring up so many questions about using the basic electric bike features like pedal-assist and throttles.

One of the first questions you might have is whether you can actually ride an e-bike without pedaling.

You can ride without pedaling as long as your bike has a throttle. A throttle will give you power with a simple twist of your hand or a push of the thumb, depending on which kind of throttle it is. Even if you’re not pedaling, the throttle will get power from the motor and propel you forward.

But the truth is that all electric bikes have pedals and only some have throttles. And how to ride using one or both features requires a little more understanding, which we’ll discuss in this article.

Should You Ride Your Electric Bike Without Pedaling

Truthfully, your electric bike wasn’t meant to be used without pedaling. Although it can be done, let’s first talk about “pedal assist” vs “throttle” and how they each will benefit your ride.

First, both of them get power from the electric motor on your bike. And the purpose of both of them is to move your bike forward.

How Pedal Assist Works

When using pedal assist, your feet give power to the motor by pedaling. Your feet basically tell the electric system to move the bike forward with a pedaling movement. It feels as though you’re getting help to move along easily and naturally.

On most e-bikes today, you also have the choice to increase your pedal assistance. My e-bike from Rad Power Bikes has 5 levels of pedal assist and boy do I fly when I increase the levels! But I do have to keep pedaling to make the bike go or it will eventually slow to a stop.

How a Throttle Works

Twist throttle on an Electric Bike
Twist Throttle

On the other hand, a throttle allows you to continue pedaling if you wish but engages the motor with an action from your hand. Some throttles can be twisted with your whole hand (like a motorcycle) or pushed with your thumb.

If you throttle your bike, you’ll go forward even if you’re not pedaling. However, a gentle turning of the throttle will move you faster and faster. So, you don’t need to go zero to 20mph in a second! But it will get you started much faster than just pedaling.

What Happens If You Don’t Pedal

The less you pedal, the more battery you will use. So, if you’re riding your bike using only the throttle to move you forward, then your battery will run out very quickly.

You’ll also hear more noise coming from the motor, making it sound more like a moped. And this can be a problem if you’re riding on a path that wasn’t meant for motor vehicles.

Yes, you may get some dirty looks when people think you’re riding a moped. But you might also get stopped by the authorities. And who wants a ticket for riding a bike?

So, you might think about riding your e-bike without pedaling only when you’re on a roadway or where there are no other bikers or walkers (if they’re the zombie kind, you’ll be thankful that you can pedal… and even more thankful if you have a throttle).

Just so you know, if you decide to pedal using pedal assist, this will decrease your battery further. So, using this also takes more energy from the motor, thus decreasing your battery power.

And, if you’re using pedal assist and the throttle, and going up hills or through rough terrain, your battery time will be cut even shorter. So make sure to plan ahead by fully charging your battery and knowing how far you can go on that charge.

Finally, here’s an option. If you don’t want to pedal ever, for whatever reason, you could just get a moped or motorcycle.

But I get that you might want something that doesn’t go as fast as a moped and that you can ride on bike paths and trails, or wherever other bikes can go. On a moped, you’re pretty much stuck riding on the road.

Can You Go Uphill Without Pedaling?

I’m just going to say this right now… if you want to ride up hills, you should plan on pedaling your e-bike or getting that moped.

As mentioned above, going up hills with only a throttle will drain your battery fast.

Further, you can go faster and climb steeper grades if you use pedal assist. A throttle may get you started but it won’t take you up a hill like pedaling.

You have to remember that electric bikes are much heavier than standard bikes. So don’t expect a throttle to be able to make a climb all by itself. You’ll end up slowing down more than you’d like and then wasting your battery.

The Best Way to Ride an E-Bike is By Pedaling

Older man riding in the city by pedaling

How you choose to ride your bike is really up to you. But it seems kind of pointless to buy an expensive electric bike and not want to ever pedal it.

How to Use Pedal Assist Effectively

So the best way to ride one is to use varying levels of pedal assist and your throttle if you have one. Pedal at a low-assist level until you need more power to get you up a hill or because you’re tired. It’s easy to power up one level just by pushing a button.

Turn down pedal assist when you’re going down a hill. You don’t need it. You might also want to switch your bike into lower gear.

Then use your throttle when you need a quick start, like at a street intersection with other fast-moving vehicles. And use it when you’re tired and need to give yourself a “push”.

Spend some time riding in places without too many people or traffic. Then you can really check out the different levels of pedal assist and how to use the throttle if you have one.

Caution is advised when first beginning to ride. E-bikes are heavy. So, you need to learn how to use the brakes to stop quickly. And you should know that slowing down takes a bit longer than on a regular bike.

I almost ran into my daughter’s car on my first ride because I wasn’t prepared to stop!

You also need to be comfortable switching gears, adjusting pedal assist levels, and using your throttle.

Pedaling Your E-Bike is Great Exercise

No matter whether you’re riding a standard bicycle or an electric bike, pedaling one will be great exercise for any fitness level.

Not only will you strengthen your legs, but you’ll also get some great cardio if you take a long ride or find yourself pedaling up hills.

And, no, you’re not cheating by riding an e-bike. Instead, you’re giving yourself an excellent means to get more exercise by riding longer and farther than you would on a regular bike.

Take a look at some of the research from the National Institute of Health. You’ll probably be surprised to find that even though riding an e-bike is less intense, it’s still considered moderately vigorous and can burn around half of the calories as compared to riding a standard bike.

This truly is not a bad thing if having an e-bike gets you out exercising more and for longer periods!

And as long as you don’t exclusively use the throttle and high levels of pedal assist during your entire ride, you’re going to get a workout.

Riding an E-Bike Without Pedal Assist or Throttling

Can it be done? Yes, it can.

The first option is to not turn on the electricity system.

You can ride your bike manually by doing this and save your battery as well. But make sure to keep your key with you and your battery charged. Riding a very heavy e-bike manually can tire you out quickly. You might just change your mind in the middle of a ride.

Or, keep your bike on “zero” pedal-assist, if your bike has this option. This is a good choice because you’ll be able to increase the power to the bike any time you need it, whether you suddenly get tired or you need to get away from those zombies fast.

Why It’s Still Great to Have a Throttle on Your E-Bike

Even if you plan on pedaling, you’ll love having a throttle if you want to have an e-bike that starts up quickly and goes fast when you need it to.

It’s especially helpful if you’re riding the roadways to work, school, or to run errands. Starting up quicker with other fast cars around will get you out of the middle of the street faster and get you to where you’re going quicker.

If you’re super adventurous, you can even use the throttle to help you jump rocks and bounce down bumpy paths without pedaling. Just don’t try this until you’re an experienced rider!

And did you know you can even get an electric bike that only has a throttle, like the Jetson Bolt?

And, honestly, having a throttle is just plain fun!

Top 12 Things to Know Before Buying a Cheap E-Bike

By
Lisa Sylvester
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0

The prices of e-bikes are finally dropping, thanks to the growing interest in e-biking. But that doesn’t mean that you should buy a cheap e-bike. I’ve taken a look at all of the things that can go wrong when buying a less expensive bike and when it might be okay to save your money.

Most electric bikes cost between $400 and $4000, although some cost up to $10,000 and more. So, it’s fair to say that anything under $1000 can be considered a cheap e-bike.

However, there are a lot of things to know about e-bikes in general before deciding on which bike to buy. And saving money by buying a cheap bike may leave you unhappy and feeling as if you wasted your money entirely.

So, before you buy a cheap electric bike just to save money, take a look at the 12 things you should know before buying one.

1. What is the Reason You Want an E-Bike?

First, ask yourself what you will primarily use an electric bike for. If you plan on riding it for your daily commute to work or school, you probably want a road bike, with tires that work best on the pavement.

However, if you are planning to ride on dirt trails, sand, snow, or mud, then you’ll definitely want a bike with bigger or “fat” tires. Or you might choose a bike that’s the best possible hybrid of both.

Therefore, it’s not a good idea to just buy any bike, especially because it’s cheap, without making sure it’ll do what you need it to the most.

2. Consider How Fast You Want It To Go

There is a big difference in the speeds of e-bikes. If you’re planning on getting somewhere really fast or riding fast just for fun, you can get a bike that has a 1500-3000 watt motor that’ll go upwards of 35mph. But, bikes with these motors will cost you big.

Anyway, most e-bike riders don’t want or need that kind of speed. You’ll probably want to buy a bike with a 250W-750W motor instead. These bikes can still cost more than you want to pay but you can definitely find some cheaper options here.

And most of these bikes will get you up to 20mph easily. Still, make sure you know how fast you can go on a particular e-bike before buying it.

3. Consider How Far You Want Your E-Bike To Go (Super Important!)

E-bike rider traveling a long distance

Knowing your minimum battery requirements is probably the most important consideration when deciding whether to buy a cheap e-bike or not.

Some batteries will take you up to 45 miles and even more. However, a cheaper bike is going to have a cheaper battery and won’t take you as far without a fresh charge.

So if you’re riding 20 miles to work and 20 miles back each day, you’d better know that your battery will last… or at least that you have a safe place to charge your battery every day at work. I mentioned that it needs to be a “safe” place because your battery is very expensive to replace (high-quality batteries cost $500 +)!

4. Take a Look at Maintenance Costs

All e-bikes will need tune-ups to stay in top shape, which can cost $75-$150 every 500 miles. So what you really need to look at here is how often you might need to replace other parts.

And if you buy a cheap e-bike, you’ll most likely be replacing things much more often. Because these bikes are made with cheaper parts, these parts will break.

The good news is that, if you replace the broken parts with more cheap parts, it won’t cost as much. The bad news is that even a new bike tire can cost $30 or more. Further, the maintenance cost will be roughly the same for a cheap e-bike as it is for a somewhat more expensive one.

A brake adjustment will still cost $20-$40, no matter what e-bike you own.

5. What Are You Willing to Spend on Accessories?

Yes, you can buy a cheap electric bike. But will you then end up spending more money on accessories that your bike didn’t come with? Or will you want to upgrade the seat because it’s not comfortable enough?

So consider the trade-off before saving $300 on one bike over another.

6. How Often Do You Plan on Riding Your E-Bike?

If you’ll be an occasional rider, a cheap e-bike might very well be a good fit.

But if you plan on riding daily or even weekly, chances are your bike won’t hold up as long as you’d like it to. When making a purchase, you should add potential repair costs to the overall price of your bike. Then decide whether cheaper is better.

7. Are Cheap E-Bikes Safe?

Riding any kind of bike comes with risks. And there really isn’t much of a difference when it comes to the safety of a cheaper e-bike versus a more expensive one.

But, there does tend to be one major difference which is a huge plus for cheaper bikes.

They are usually much lighter in weight! And this is something to seriously consider. Many electric bikes are really heavy… up to 70 pounds. Cheaper bikes generally weigh less because, primarily, their components are cheaper. Buying a $500 bike will keep your bike under 40-50 lbs.

And this will make your cheap e-bike (and your back) safer when it comes to lifting it. In addition, if you fall on your bike, much less weight will fall on you!

8. You Might Like to Have a Throttle

The throttle is on the handlebar and it makes your e-bike move forward quickly
E-Bike with Twist Throttle

A cheap e-bike won’t come with a throttle. As a casual rider, this might not be a big deal. However, if you’re going to ride a lot through busy streets, a throttle is really nice to have.

A throttle will help you get moving quickly, just as a car or motorcycle would. So, instead of starting up slowly through an intersection, for example, you’ll get through it quickly (and thus more safely).

9. Powerful E-Bikes Are More Expensive

Again this comes down to your purpose for riding an e-bike. If you are sticking to flat terrain and city streets, or you are just riding for fun, then you can save some money by getting a bike with a less expensive motor.

This will likely be a “hub motor”. They’re very common and fit almost any bike frame, so you’ll find them on a lot of bikes.

However, if you’re planning to ride a lot, go up hills, or ride on tough terrain, then you’ll need a bike with a “mid-drive” motor… and this will cost you more.

A big difference here is that a mid-drive e-bike motor is well-centered on your bike, therefore giving you greater balance and control over your e-bike. But a hub motor fits either on the front or back only.

10. Is Your E-Bike Adjustable?

The truth is that the more adjustable your bike is, the more comfortable you’ll be. Cheap bikes don’t have adjustable handlebars and seat posts may not go up or down as far. Basically, they’re cheaper because they’re not as hard to make.

This becomes really important if you aren’t an average-sized person and might have trouble fitting on your bike. Otherwise, it might not be a big deal.

11. Luxury Features Increase the Cost

Cheaper bikes just won’t have all of the bells and whistles of a more expensive bike, or at least the parts might not be quality (and might not last long!).

For example, if you’re going to ride through dirt or mud, you’ll want large front and back fenders to protect you from flying debris. You don’t want little “half” fenders put on just to look like you have fenders.

And, if you’re going to ride several miles at a time, you’re going to want a wide, cushiony seat. Cheap e-bikes will NOT have comfy seats (or they will be seats that tear and fall apart quickly).

So, just consider what you might be missing if you buy a cheap e-bike.

12. There Are More Cheap E-Bikes To Buy Than Ever Before!

As the popularity of electric bikes continues to increase, more manufacturers are building them. And thus, there are plenty of them to choose from, cheap and high-priced ones alike.

All bikes will have pros and cons. And the chance that you’ll find a cheap e-bike that works for you is growing just as the competition between manufacturers increases.

To Buy or Not to Buy a Cheap Electric Bike

You can now easily buy an e-bike at just about any cost. And because it’s easy to purchase one online, it’s also easy to act impulsively. However, I strongly recommend that you read all of the online reviews from previous purchasers before buying a cheap e-bike.

And make sure you’ve reviewed all of the things you need to know before buying one. Of course, e-bikes are expensive so cost is a huge factor in any purchase. But just don’t buy one that’s cheap to save money. Find out whether it’s right for you first.

How Much is the Cheapest E-Bike?

The cheapest e-bike I’ve found for sale online is priced at $440 from Ancheer. This bike is listed as a “commuter” bike and it folds for convenient storage and travel.

Ancheer has at least 18 different models, all of them under $1000. Since they’ve sold many models at a lower price, this may be a good place to start your search, as each model has a number of personal reviewers. Reading reviews for several bikes from the same manufacturer will give you a good idea about the overall quality of that company’s e-bikes.

Additionally, many other inexpensive e-bikes can be found for under $1000, most within the $500-$800 range. And these are from about 10 different manufacturers, some of them newer than others.

So, before buying any e-bike, especially from a low-priced manufacturer, find out how long they’ve been building e-bikes and whether they have been around long enough to get reviews. Then read the reviews before purchasing a cheap one!

Legal E-Bike Riding: Where to Ride in the USA

By
Lisa Sylvester
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0

When you’re ready to get out and ride your electric bike, you’re probably wondering where it’s legal to do so. With so many confusing laws and regulations, it’s especially hard to understand where you can ride in the USA.

So, where can you ride your e-bike legally?

You can ride your e-bike in many places where regular bikes are allowed. The chart below shows where it is legal to ride in the United States. These are the places that you can generally ride, but there may be some restrictions based on the classification of your bike or state laws (so read further).

Class 1 E-BikeClass 2 E-BikeClass 3 E-Bike
National ParksYESYES- May Be LimitedYES- May Be Limited
State ParksCheck Each
State Park		Check Each State Park Check Each State Park
Bureau of Land Management (Federal)Motorized Trails/Open OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle)Motorized Trails/Open OHVMotorized Trails/Open OHV
Non-Motorized Trails & Bike PathsMost StatesMost StatesMost States
Roadways (Bike Lanes)Yes, unless classified as motor vehicleYes, unless classified as motor vehicleYes, unless classified as motor vehicle
See Electric Bike Classifications Below

The truth is that there are different regulations for each state, government agency, and the local area. And many of these regulations are based on a classification system for Low Speed Electric Bicycles that many (but not all) states have adopted:

E-Bike ClassPedal-assist: Motor only
assists if rider is pedaling		Maximum Power
Output (Watts)		Motor Ceases
to Assist (miles per hour)
Class 1: Yes750W20 mph
Class 2:No750W20 mph
Class 3:Yes750W28 mph
E-Bike 3-Tier Classification
Image of USA showing general electric bike regulations
Photo courtesy of People for Bikes

The laws are definitely a bit confusing, so continue reading to find out where you can legally ride and when you need to get more information before you do.

You certainly don’t want to get fined because you were riding in a place that you weren’t supposed to.

Riding E-Bikes in the USA: National Parks

National Parks in the United States have finally made e-bike riding legal as of 2019! E-bikes are generally allowed anywhere that traditional bikes have always been able to go.

This is very exciting because now almost anyone can see much more of the parks than they ever could on a regular bike. This includes people who otherwise have been limited due to age (seniors or your kids), disability, or fitness. Anyone riding an e-bike can travel farther with less effort!

And e-bikes provide benefits to the parks themselves. They can decrease auto traffic, increase parking availability, improve air quality, and even provide transportation for park employees. Further, more cyclists on the roads will help their visibility and encourage cars to slow down.

But there is one place e-bikes (or any bike for that matter) can NOT go… EVER: Wilderness areas. So, stay on the roads and paths that are designated for bicycles!

And keep in mind that you still need to follow park rules, which can change often due to weather, traffic conditions, and even wildlife.

For example, parks may limit riding based on the classification of your bike (1, 2, or 3). In these cases, Class 1 e-bikes may be allowed on a particular trail, but Class 2 or 3 bikes won’t.

Further, Class 2 e-bikes are not allowed to use their motor exclusively to propel forward. You must ride the bike as you would any other bike… by using the pedals.

Rules of Riding in State Parks in the U.S.

In general, each state has its own e-bike riding rules. Therefore, you’ll definitely want to check with each state and individual State Park before going.

However, many states have updated their e-biking guidelines and have followed the newest classification system.

For example, in California, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are generally allowed wherever standard bikes are. However, if they’ve been altered or are specifically prohibited (due to their classification, motor wattage, etc.), then they may not be allowed in certain locations.

So, if the state park you plan on visiting doesn’t have specific rules, you might assume your class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike can go where other bikes can.

In fact, many state parks offer “hike or bike” campsites, which are located further away from the crowds. When making your reservation, be sure to ask about the use of electric bikes.

Most importantly, just be kind and respectful. Slow down when approaching others and make sure you know exactly how to ride your bike before going into a populated area. And never ride off trails or in wilderness areas, for your safety as well as to protect the natural landscape which we are all there to enjoy.

One more important note: There are still some states who have not caught up to the new classification system and may view your electric bike as a motorized vehicle, thus making it ineligible to ride on specific paths and trails.

If you live in one of these states, I’d definitely contact the state park you want to ride in before attempting it in these states!

Dirt path to ride e-bike on

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Access to e-bike riding has been extended to public lands. This gives all riders the ability to ride on trails that allow motorized vehicles.

Additionally, in December 2020, an e-bike rule was put into effect which defines e-bikes and determines their use on non-motorized trails as well. This rule allows BLM managers to authorize the use of electric bikes on non-motorized trails but doesn’t actually give the okay to do so… yet.

The good news is that the BLM believes that e-bike usage on public lands is good for all Americans and is continuously working on making public lands more accessible. So, it’s expected that land managers will re-evaluate land use and issue some plans to open more trails to electric bikes soon.

Always make sure to check with each Bureau of Land Management location before using non-motorized trails. Or, plan to stay on already-approved motorized and Open OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) trails.

And make sure to follow posted rules and protect trails by avoiding them during wet and muddy conditions. Further, make sure you have off-road tires or a fat tire bike to ride in sand and dirt!

United States Roadways: Laws for Riding an E-Bike

The United States has its own set of regulations for safety and the manufacturing of e-bikes. And Federal law allows them to go up to 20mph using a motor but states no maximum speed if the bike is operating as pedal-assisted.

However, actual e-bike riding laws are left up to the individual states (and local areas) to determine.

This means you’ll have to turn to the legalities of the specific area you’re riding in to determine the road laws. In general, and in most states, e-bikes are allowed in bike lanes or on the roads, just as with any other bicycle.

As mentioned above, most states have updated their e-bike laws and view e-bikes as either “motorized bicycles” or “electric bicycles”. Unfortunately, a few states still classify them as motorcycles, mopeds, or even motor vehicles. So, check with your state and local area to see if you can ride on the roads and in bike lanes.

As ridiculous as that is, laws in these states may be very strict on where you can ride your e-bike.

Riding E-Bikes Legally on Bike Paths and Non-Motorized Trails

Electric bike access to trails and paths can vary significantly in the USA. Again, where it’s okay to ride depends mostly on your state, county, and local trail laws. This is true even for the states with the more advanced laws and using the e-bike classification system mentioned above.

Generally speaking, however, in most states you can ride your e-bike on any path that allows for motorized and non-motorized use (here are some great places to ride in California) (here are some great places to ride in California). And trails that are only for non-motorized use may be acceptable, but you’ll need to check with the county, city parks and recreation, or local trail management.

Any trail that doesn’t allow bikes at all usually has a sign posted at the beginning of the trail. However, who wants to travel to a trail with bikes in tow only to find out they can’t use them?

And if you have an eMTB (electric mountain bike), you’re not automatically given permission to ride anywhere that other other mountain bikes are allowed.

Other Places to Ride Your E-Bike in the USA

  1. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS):

    Permits all 3 classes of e-bikes to ride where other standard bikes are allowed. Your e-bike must use the pedal-assist mode and individual wildlife refuges or FWS lands may have other restrictions.

    Check with your local wildlife refuge before riding.
  2. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR):

    E-bikes are considered “off-road vehicles”. However, the BOR will look for areas that traditional bikes use and may open those areas to e-bikes as well.

    Check with your local office before riding.
  3. National Forest Service (NFS):

    Unfortunately, electric bikes are classified as “motor vehicles”. Therefore, only trails and roads that are designated for motor vehicle use can be ridden.

    In other words, if a car can drive on it, so can an e-bike. But keep an eye out for changes. Currently, there are a couple of locations in the United States that allow only Class 1 bikes on a limited trail system (Durango, CO and Mammoth, CA).
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