Best Electric Bike Accessories (Travel & Camping Must-Haves)

June 7, 2021

Traveling or camping with an electric bike? Oh, the places you’ll go! But let me tell you, folks, embarking on a journey with an e-bike isn’t just about hopping on the saddle and riding off into the sunset—though that sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Nope, it’s all about prep. So before you pedal off into nature’s playground, let’s chat about the best electric bike accessories for travel and camping that promise to make your trip smoother, safer, and infinitely more fun. Because trust me, nothing kills the vibe quite like a dead battery, a flat tire, or realizing you’ve left your sunscreen at home (hello, lobster face!).

If you’re new to the electric bike scene, welcome to the future! E-bikes are game-changers, offering speed, power, and range that regular bikes can only dream of. But with great power comes great responsibility…and by that, I mean accessories. Riding farther and faster means you’ll need a few extra tools and gadgets (beyond your stunning personality) to keep things running smoothly and keep you safe.

So, with some enthusiasm, a little humor, and a lot of helpful tips, let’s dive into the ultimate list of must-have travel and camping accessories for your electric biking adventures!

Man sitting in front of electric bike with view of mountains

Must-Have Electrical Accessories for E-Bike Enthusiasts

Because your e-bike runs on electricity, you’ll need a few power-related accessories to keep the juice flowing. After all, no one wants to be stranded 20 miles from civilization. Trust me, pushing a 50-lb bike uphill while muttering about forgetting a charging cable is not the Insta-worthy moment we’re going for here.

A Second E-Bike Battery: Your Hero in a Crisis

An extra battery is kind of like having a spare tire for your car—it’s not glamorous, but when you need it, oh boy, will you wish you’d planned ahead. As much as we’d all love an e-bike that runs forever (science, do your thing!), the reality is that those miles add up, especially when you’re using pedal assist like it’s going out of style.

If you’re planning 30-50+ miles per day, an extra battery is non-negotiable. For shorter rides—say under 20 miles—one charged battery might work, provided you’ve got a dependable charging option at your destination. But when in doubt, pack that second battery—it’s better to lug it than regret it.

Example of what an electric bike battery looks like — Check out the prices for e-bike batteries here!

Pro tip: Always confirm the second battery you buy is compatible with your e-bike model. You don’t want to be stuck with the square peg of batteries when your bike needs the round one.

Charging Cable and Power Adapter: Because Duh

“Well, obviously,” you’re saying. But let me just remind you that forgetting your e-bike’s charging cable and adapter is the equivalent of heading to the airport without your passport. It’s THAT bad.

Take some time before your trip to double-check outlet compatibility if you’re traveling abroad. Not all outlets are created equal, folks—some need a universal adapter (bonus: these adapters work for your phone and laptop too). And pack an extension cord if you’re camping. Outlets aren’t always conveniently located, unless you enjoy charging in awkward yoga stances?

Large Tyson headlight — On the Heybike Tyson, a large headlight comes on automatically for safety.

PRO PACKING TIP: Wrap your cables neatly. Nothin’ worse than spending 15 minutes untangling a spaghetti mess of cords when you just want to ride.

Lights, Camera… Visibility!

If your e-bike doesn’t already have headlights and brake lights, it’s time to take safety seriously. Not only do lights make night rides possible (duh again), but they also improve your daytime visibility to inattentive drivers and fellow bikers. Not that we’re judging—you’ve seen those people nose-deep in their phones too!

Look for e-bike-specific lights that connect directly to your bike’s power system. That way, you won’t be left scrambling for AA batteries at the hardware store. Bonus: Many models today are USB rechargeable, which makes life so much easier.

Headlight and Brake Light Combo for electric bikes — Get your E-Bike headlight with Brake Light combo (Amazon)

Smartphone Mounts: GPS and Go

Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried to juggle navigating a map app while steering your bike. Dangerous, right? A smartphone mount eliminates the circus act by keeping your phone securely in place while offering optimal visibility. And if your e-bike has a USB charging port? Jackpot! You can keep that phone charged and play DJ on your camping playlist.

visnfa Upgraded Bike Phone Mount Anti Shake and Stable 360° Rotation Accessory — Secure your Smartphone with this stylish mount from Amazon

Don’t Get Stranded: Carry Repair and Maintenance Tools

Flat tires happen, folks. Chains break. Brakes get squeaky. This is the real world, not Narnia. So, to avoid muttering unrepeatable phrases on the side of the trail, pack a basic toolkit that’ll bail you out in unforeseen jams.

Tire Repair Kit + Mini Pump = Dynamic Duo

If you do one thing after reading this, make it this: Don’t leave home without a tire repair kit. Also, include a mini-pump because patching your tire won’t matter much if you can’t reinflate it.

Get all of these tools and tire inflator in one kit from XCH Robots — Bike tire and repair kit in one!(Amazon)

Need extra help learning how to DIY repairs? Watch a couple of tutorials before your trip. Better to be over-prepped than sorry.

FAQ:

What are the most essential accessories for camping with my electric bike?

Definitely bring a second battery, repair tools, a long extension cord, and a pannier bag to pack your essentials. Oh, and don’t forget all the safety gear like helmets and lights!

Can I use regular bike accessories, or do I need e-bike-specific ones?

Some accessories work for both, but e-bike-specific items like extra batteries and integrated lights ensure compatibility. Always double-check before buying!

What’s the best way to carry gear while riding?

Panniers, racks, or even a small single-wheel trailer make hauling gear easy. Avoid large backpacks—they can throw off your balance during long rides.

Conclusion: Ready, Set, Ride

There you have it—a comprehensive guide to the best electric bike accessories for travel and camping. From ensuring your battery doesn’t fizzle out mid-adventure to decking yourself out with repair kits and safety gear, you’re ready to roll. Now go forth, my adventurous friends, and dominate those scenic trails, campgrounds, and open roads. Just remember to bring sunscreen!

How Much Are Electric Bike Rentals (Cost and How to Rent)

Lisa Sylvester

May 30, 2021

Electric bike purchases are soaring… but so are electric bike rentals! After all, many people want to try one out before making such a big investment. And there are many other reasons you might want to rent one as well.

Renting an electric bike can be slightly more expensive than a regular bicycle rental and can require advanced planning.

Typical electric bike rental rates are $25 per hour or up to $80 per day. The cost of renting an ebike is based on the location and the length of the rental period.

Length of Rental	Price Range	Price for Premium Model (not available in all rental shops)
Per Hour	Call the rental shop to inquire	$30+
Per Day	$60-$70	$120+
Full Day (24 hours)	$75-$100	$150+
1 Week	$200-$300	$300+
1 Month	$375+	Call rental shop to inquire

In this blog post, we’ll look at the cost of electric bike rentals and what you need to know before making a reservation. I’ve compiled prices and information that’ll help make your rental decision easier.

Why Rent an Electric Bike

The reasons to rent an e-bike instead of buying one are numerous. Buying one is a big investment and you’ll have a ton of questions that could be answered if you rent one first. Here’s the list of reasons you should consider an e-bike rental instead of a purchase.

First, you should rent an ebike if you’re trying one out for the first time. This is especially true if you’re not much of a bike rider or it’s been a long time since you’ve ridden one. Or maybe you’re super tall or of small stature (and many things don’t fit right).
You’ll also get a feel for whether buying an electric bike is a good choice for you. Rent different types of e-bikes over several days or months to learn how they are each unique. Once you test out multiple brands with various motors, gears, tires, throttles, and more, you’ll be closer to deciding on the best bike to purchase.
Another reason why you should rent an electric bike is to decide if it’s something you’ll love doing regularly. Then you’ll know whether buying an e-bike is worth the cost.
An ebike rental is also a great way to try out a new form of exercise. If you aren’t physically active already or have an injury or disability, renting one will help you determine if you can physically manage it. This is particularly a good idea if you’re a senior (read: Are E-Bikes Good for Seniors for more info).
Perhaps you just want to ride one occasionally for a different form of recreation or instead of driving to reduce air pollutants. In this case, renting can be a much cheaper option.
Finally, getting an e-bike rental can help you explore your surroundings in-depth, whether it’s your own community or a premier vacation spot! You can get one for just an hour or two at your destination and see ten times as much as compared to if you walked.

Find out more in the Electric Bike Travel Guide!

Continue reading to find out the prices of renting an e-bike and how to rent one.

Cost of Electric Bike Rental

In general, an electric bike can be rented by the hour, day, or even by the week. Typically, you should expect to pay about $10-$20 per hour. Bike rental fees may be substantially higher if you’re in a popular tourist destination.

Be sure to ask about four-hour, all-day, 24-hour, or multi-day rates! Most electric bike rental shop owners will offer discounts if you plan on renting all day or longer than four hours.

As mentioned earlier, plan on paying a bit more when renting an e-bike as compared to renting a non-motorized bike. Electric bike models are more expensive to begin with and maintenance costs the bike rental shop more as well. Therefore, they transfer some of that expense to you.

Hourly electric bike rentals

If you’re looking for a two or three-hour electric bike rental, you’ll probably pay by the hour. Be ready to spend between $15-$20 per hour. Consider that you might benefit from paying for a 4-hour or full-day rental, instead of just 2-3 hours.

Renting an electric bike for a full day

Typically, you get more value out of your e-bike rental the longer you lease it. So for example, the rate for a full-day rental would be only $12-13 per hour for an 8-hour ride (or a total of $96). Whereas if you rented by the hour at $20 per hour, you’ll end up paying $60 for only 3 hours.

Weekly ebike rentals

Naturally, renting for a full week or longer will give you the most value for your money. For a full week, you’ll pay roughly $200-300. Compare this to a daily rental rate and you’re saving a whopping $600 or more (at $96 for 7 days)!

And, even better, this is significantly less money than if you were to rent a car and buy gas while spending 7 days in a top vacation destination.

Monthly electric bike rentals

Now compare your full-week electric bike rental to what you would pay for one month. You’ll spend close to $400… but that’s like getting 2 weeks completely free! In fact, that’s a 50% savings! Naturally, this is the most valuable option if you might want to ride the rental ebike regularly (or for more than 2 weeks).

Premium e-bike rentals

Some rental shops even offer “premium” ebike rates. This could just be a more valuable and expensive model. Or it could be a tandem (two-seater) or stretch bike with lots of room for a child or two on the back. These options are found most often in vacation destinations. Expect to pay an average cost of around $120 per day.

For example, Cal Coast Adventures in Santa Barbara, California offers the Specialized Turbo Levo with a battery range up to 70 miles as a premium rental. In Hawaii, Pedego Electric Bikes offers both tandem and stretch models starting at $30 for one hour.

Take your next California ride in one of these amazing places!

Leasing an electric bike and purchasing discounts

The last thing regarding the cost of an e-bike rental is very important to consider if you’re planning on buying one. You may be able to lease it (rent-to-own) or apply your rental towards your purchase.

For instance, the eBike Store in Portland, Oregon offers up to $198 off of the purchase by applying your rental charge! You’ll only find leases and purchase discounts in select bike shops around the world, however. So be sure to ask if interested!

Given the variation in prices, it really pays (no pun intended) to plan ahead regarding the length of your electric bike rental. If you rent it for one day, but then decide to keep it longer, you might end up paying more.

However, it doesn’t hurt to ask the bike shop if your one-day rental can be attributed to the cost of a full-week rental.

Additional electric bike rental costs

Finally, there may be extras that you’d like to add to your electric bike rental. Rental shops should include a helmet and lock with every rental.

Do you need a special helmet to ride an e-bike? Find out!

However, they may offer a GPS device for an additional amount. Unfortunately, you can be billed as much for including a GPS as for renting a bike for an hour! But, once again, you’ll likely pay less the longer your rental period is. For example, you might be charged $20 for the day but only $5 each day after.

Of course, most people will probably use their phones for GPS navigation. In this case, make sure the electric bike rental shop doesn’t charge you for a GPS!

Man on electric bike using phone as gps navigation

Rental shops might also offer an attachable bike trailer for around $25 per day or a hitch rack for 2-4 bikes for $5-10 a day. And, if you mention that you want to ride a long distance in one day, you’ll most likely be offered an extra battery for about $10.

Depending on the location and shop, you might also be offered water bottles, t-shirts, or trinkets with their logo on them. Of course, you won’t be expected to make these additional purchases. But if you might want a memento of your vacation, plan on spending some extra cash.

How to Rent an Electric Bike

Electric bike rental isn’t hard or stressful. However, it does take some planning, especially if you’ll be doing it on vacation. Keep in mind that electric-powered bikes may not be available from every rental shop.

Man and Woman Having Fun with Electric Bike Rental

What you need to rent an ebike

Typically, you aren’t required to get a license, permit, or any kind of insurance to ride an electric bike. There are some locations around the world, however, where there could be an exception. So, make sure to check the laws in your location or travel destination.

But you will most likely need to show a valid ID along with a credit card or cash. And most locations will expect you to be at least 18 years of age to rent one on your own.

How old your child needs to be to ride will be dependent upon the location, as it differs from state to state and country to country. In general, in the United States, a child will need to be a minimum age of 16 or 17.

Review the age chart in this article to determine whether your kid can legally ride an e-bike.

Questions you should ask the electric bike rental shop

The best thing to do when renting an e-bike is to ask questions of each rental shop owner. You may get different answers from each one you’re considering. So be sure to ask these 12 questions of each:

Do I need a reservation?
How fast will the electric bike go?
How far will it go on one battery charge?
Will my bike include a throttle and how do I use it?
What’s included with my rental fee?
Can I ride with an injury?
How do I prevent injury?
Where are the best places to ride (at your rental location)?
Am I allowed to ride on sidewalks in this city/location?
Do you have a model that’s better for seniors? For short, tall, or heavy people?
Can my child ride an electric bike rental?
How do I keep the bike safe when I’m not using it?
What are the laws about riding an e-bike here?

Where to Rent An E-Bike

So where can you rent an electric bike? Traditional bike shops and bike rental shops are the most likely place. Call your local bike shop to ask about electric bike rentals in your area. Or simply search “bike rentals near me”. Let them know you’d like to ride an electric bike (as opposed to a standard one).

Then proceed to ask the questions listed above. If you are interested in a particular model to try out, you might have to shop around a bit.

If you’re traveling to a popular vacation spot, you’ll likely find smaller bike rental shops at your destination. If you don’t know where one is located contact a hotel concierge for assistance.

I’ve compiled a list of bike rental shops in popular travel destinations (USA) for you to check out:

Rental Shop	Location	Hourly Rental Cost
Mod Bikes	Austin, TX	$20
Cal Coast Adventures	Santa Barbara, CA	$20
Pedego Electric Bikes	Kailua, HI	$16
Wheel Fun Rentals (Bayside)	San Diego, CA	$20
Bike and Roll (Central Park)	New York City, NY	$20

Note: It’s a good idea to call ahead to ask about discount deals and get your questions answered before you book your reservation.

What Types of Electric Bikes Can You Rent?

Most rental places offer popular, sturdy models as rental choices. Many are hybrid models (so they’ll ride on dirt trails and paved roads), but you can also get electric road bikes, mountain bikes, and cruisers in some locations. All of them will have pedal assistance but only some will include a throttle.

Typically, you won’t be renting the cheapest models nor the more expensive ones. For most people, this is quite adequate. If you’re testing out different brands and models before buying, these will mostly be in the average range of $1100-$3500.

Therefore, most people will also look into purchasing some of the same models. If you’re looking to eventually buy, let your local bike shop owner know which e-bike brands or models you’re interested in (if you already have an idea).

Read more about the different types of ebikes you can buy (and how much they cost).

Common electric bike models for rent

Just to give you an idea of the type of electric bike you can get, I’ve put together a list of those that are typically offered as rentals. If you’re particular (and you probably are since you’ve read this far) it’ll benefit you to do some additional research on the type of bike you’d like to check out.

E-Bike	Motor Power	Speed	Range	Price to Buy
Trek’s Electra Townie Go	250W	20mph	up to 100 miles	$1500
Specialized Turbo Como 3.0	250W	20mph	up to 60 miles	$3200
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand Fat Bike	750W	20mph	up to 45 miles	$1500
Rad Power Bikes RadCity	750W	20mph	up to 45 miles	$1600
Raleigh Route IE	350W	20mph	up to 30 miles	$2699

A Rad Mini Folding E-Bike has smaller 20 inch wheels than a standard e-bike — The Rad folding e-bike is perfect for adults whether you’re renting or buying!

Ready to buy instead of rent? Find out the best e-bike brands in the USA!

In Conclusion

I hope I’ve answered your question about how much electric bike rentals cost. Typically, the hourly cost doesn’t differ much between locations so you can plan how much you’re going to spend in advance.

If you’re new to the idea of e-biking or want to try out different types before committing to purchase one, renting one (or several) is a great way to decide what you need. And because you can borrow for a day, week, or month, you’ll have loads of opportunities to see if it’s right for you before buying one.

Figuring out how to rent an electric bike is easy. Just ask the questions I’ve laid out for you in this article beforehand and decide how long you want to keep it. Then contact your rental location or shop to inquire about getting a reservation. This will save you money, and unnecessary grief and help you enjoy your ride!

Best Electric Bike for Your 17-Year-Old: How to Choose One for a Teen

Lisa Sylvester

May 17, 2021

Teens in the USA are now turning to electric bikes. The newest bicycles, powered by electricity, can go up to 20 miles an hour and have a range of 40-50 miles on one charge. It’s no wonder that your 17-year-old teen wants one!

The best electric bike for your 17-year-old teen is a matter of personal preference and budget. Although your 17-year-old girl or boy can typically fit on an adult e-bike, you should consider which features are best suited for a teen lifestyle.

What Are the Benefits of an Electric Bike for a Teen?

There are several primary benefits to getting your teen an e-bike. Generally speaking, you will save money and keep your child safe, while giving them independence at the same time.

1. Cheaper than a car

First of all, they’re way cheaper than cars at $500-$3,000 for most models you’d consider for someone who’s 17. And they’re not just used as toys! Teens are using them to get around town for their daily commute to work or school, visiting friends, or doing chores (like getting groceries).

Riding an e-bike saves them (or you!) on gas, money, and car maintenance.

2. Safer than driving a car

E-Bikes for a 17-year-old have additional benefits such as being safer than driving a car! Now that they’re of driving age, they’ll want to zoom around visiting friends, going to the movies, and picking up some fast food dinners.

And when I say “zoom”, it’s because teens have a tendency to drive too fast, are more easily distracted, and just aren’t as skilled at navigating the road. Further, they won’t get involved in “road rage” or feel the need to overtake another vehicle (since there’s no chance of that happening).

But send them out riding and they can get where they’re going relatively quickly… without you fearing for their safety. Or worrying about your car!

Keep your teen safe with these e-bike safety tips.

3. A 17-year-old can ride just about anywhere

E-bikes can typically go up to 20 miles per hour and have a range of 20-50 miles on one charge. So, your teenage son or daughter can pretty much get anywhere they want to go. And this leads us to benefit number 4…

4. Independence

Another benefit of riding an e-bike for a teen is that they can gain the independence they want and need. Even without a car!

And, with that much-needed freedom, they’ll come back home (at least when they get tired!). Additionally, you won’t have to worry about them not being able to get home (as on a regular bike). They can use motor assistance at any time to get them back home in a timely manner.

If your teen doesn’t know how to ride a bike yet, be sure to read this article!

5. Perfect fitness activity for a teen

Last but not least, electric bikes can help your 17-year-old stay fit. This is a great bonus as it’ll encourage a healthy lifestyle before you send them off to ride an e-bike at college.. Even though these bikes use electric motors and batteries for power, your teen still has to pedal. So e-biking is a great way of getting physical activity!

Plus, e-bikes are actually fun, so your kid is likely to ride more often than on a standard bike!

Read the E-Bike Fitness Guide for more info!

How to Choose the Best Electric Bicycle for Your 17-Year-Old

– Consider the terrain that your teen is riding on.

If they’ll be riding through a lot of dirt roads or up hills, then consider getting them an electric bike with a more powerful motor and battery to ensure that it can handle these types of terrains.

And, if they’re interested in riding mountain trails for sport and/or fitness, you should consider getting them an eMTB (electric mountain bike). Sorry, but you’ll be spending a bit more money on a specialty e-bike with higher torque.

However, riding on flat terrain or paved roads requires less power, so you can consider a more budget-friendly electric bike. Your teen won’t need as powerful of a motor or battery, so don’t get conned into buying a more powerful, more expensive one without a good reason!

-Will your teen ride to school or work?

If your teen is interested in commuting or riding their e-bike to school or work, then you should consider what they’ll have to ride through and over each day. If there are lots of hills, you’ll need to buy a bike with a more powerful motor and battery so that it isn’t such a chore.

You might even want to get the one with a throttle. A throttle will propel the bike forward without even pedaling. This way they can ride over hills or long distances without the hassle of pedaling for hours on end.

– Consider how long your teen wants to ride each day.

If they are only looking at riding occasionally or small distances, then you can certainly consider getting them an e-bike with a smaller battery that’s perfect for shorter rides. And a less powerful battery will save you money!

– Do you want to encourage biking as a mode of transportation?

Look for an affordable e-bike with a lighter-weight frame when your son or daughter will be using it primarily for transportation.

E-bikes are quite a bit heavier than regular bikes in general. So, if they’ll be putting it on buses or trains regularly, they’ll need one they can lift easily… and preferably fold. Lugging a heavy e-bike around can get discouraging quickly.

– What type of power assistance do you want your teen boy or girl to have?

Ultimately, as a parent, you need to feel comfortable with the power you’re giving your teen. With a 17-year-old, you might not be as concerned about this as you would with a 13-year-old.

But let’s face it, all teens (especially teen boys) have higher auto insurance costs for a reason… they tend to drive faster, more recklessly, and are just plain inexperienced.

So, my point is that you might want to offer your 17-year-old son or daughter a lower-powered 250-500 Watt motor if you have concerns. And, did you know that you can actually buy e-bike insurance to cover your bike and personal liability?

Need help choosing a good e-bike? Read this article for beginners!

Which Features Should You Consider When Buying an E-Bike for Your Teen Kid?

Although your 17-year-old is still a teen, he or she is essentially an adult when it comes to buying an electric bike. There are a lot of features to consider but I’ve picked out the ones that will matter most to you as parents of a teen!

Take a look at this list of features to consider before buying an e-bike for someone 17 years of age or younger:

Weight capacity: Most e-bikes have a weight capacity of 220 pounds or more. This means your teen will likely be able to ride most e-bike models. Just make sure that if they want to carry a lot of cargo, they’ll still meet the maximum payload.

Lithium battery life: The longer the lifespan of a battery, the better the battery, generally speaking. If you’re using an electric bike mostly within city limits or close to home then having a shorter lifespan might not matter as much.

Motor assistance and speed: If your teen will be riding a lot in hilly terrain, then it might make sense to get an e-bike with a 500-750-watt motor. It’s more important to consider the power of the motor based on the terrain and riding conditions than on the speed.

Being a parent myself, I honestly can’t think of any reason to buy anything more powerful than this for your 17-year-old. And, personally, I’d choose a 250 to 500-watt motor for a 16-year-old or younger.

Weight of e-bike: The weight of an electric bike can vary from around 25 lbs to around 60-70 lbs, with the majority of reasonably priced ones being on the heavier side. A 17-year-old girl with less natural upper body strength than a boy generally has could have a very hard time lifting her 60+ lb e-bike upstairs or into a train, bus or car.

Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes have the greatest stopping power and are generally the safest for electric bikes. This is in part due to the fact that e-bikes tend to be heavy and take longer to stop. They’re easier to stop with than rim brakes due to less friction when braking.

Throttle: Although a twist-grip style accelerator is somewhat more common now, a thumb throttle, which might be more intuitive for teens to use, is something to consider. And do they need a throttle at all? I’d say “yes” if riding hills or long distances! And perhaps “no” if your 17-year-old loves power a little too much!

Frame: A lightweight frame is always going to be the better option when it comes to e-bikes. It’ll be easier to maneuver for a teen or younger kid. However, you’ll pay more for this feature!

Foldable: Is there any reason your teen needs to fold up their bike? If yes, then look for a small, foldable electric bike. The quality for one of these ranges considerably though, so take a close look at what you’re willing to pay versus how long the e-bike may last.

Learn more about folding electric bikes in this article.

Best Electric Bikes for a 17-Year-Old

The best electric bike for a 17-year-old depends upon your budget and what features your teen needs based upon their reasons for riding one.

Primarily, it depends upon where they’ll be riding to, how far, and how often they’ll ride. Not to mention that your child’s safety is a big concern.

So, the following e-bikes were selected as the best with teen lifestyle and safety in mind. I’ll point out the types of e-bikes that could be right for your teen. These e-bikes are all under $2000 in order to stay in line with both a parent’s and teenager’s budget.

I believe you can get a solid e-bike for a 17-year-old in this price range. After all, teenagers are likely to be harder on their e-bike and less careful overall… so do you really want to spend much more than that?

Best hybrid e-bike: The RadExpand

If you have about $1500 or so budgeted for an e-bike purchase then one of the best options for your teen would be the RadExpand from Rad Power Bikes.

Black Rad Mini Electric Bike from Rad Power Bikes

Not only does it look super cool with its 20-inch wheels and have the ability to fold up, but it’s also an entry-level hybrid e-bike. This means that it can ride on or off-road, in the dirt or on the street! This is perfect when your teen is going to traverse a lot of different terrains, whether it’s to get to school or ride around town.

I’ve ridden one several times and it is a ton of fun!

But I’d have to reserve it for a 17-year-old (or older) as it does have a lot of power with its 750 Watt motor and twist throttle.

I also like my Rad bike because of its integrated safety features which include:

Disc brakes make stopping fast and easy
Integrated front and rear lights for visibility
48V battery that’ll take your kid far (close to 40 miles depending on riding style)…you won’t have to worry about the battery giving out
Puncture-resistant tires

Read our full review of the RadMini Folding E-Bike!

Best commuter/cargo e-bike: NAKTO 26″ Adult Electric Bicycle City

This e-bike is perfect for either a 17-year-old boy or a girl. It sports two different looks… a white, low-step or a black traditional. Either are reasonably priced (around $650) cargo e-bikes with great reviews.

White NAKTO 26" Adult Electric Bicycle City — Image courtesy of Nakto

It has 26-inch wheels, a 250 Watt motor, and a 36-volt battery that lasts around 22-28 miles. So, as a city or commuter e-bike, that’ll get your child where they’re going without any problems. the great thing about a cargo e-bike is that you can use racks to carry your books, food, phone, or laptop, or your small dog..

A couple of additional perks include the front basket and horn. However, reviews indicated that some people got the basket and some didn’t. So, just be prepared to call the company if you don’t get your basket!

Best cruiser e-bike: Tower Beach Bum 2 Electric Cruiser

This may be a perfect e-bike for your teen, especially one who’s old enough to appreciate the quality. And a 17-year-old will likely be better at taking care of an electric bike than even a 15-year-old.

Tower Beach Bum 2 Electric Beach Vintage-looking Cruiser — Image courtesy of Tower Electric Bikes

Despite what you’ve heard, a cruiser is not only good for riding on the beach. Yes, this cruiser’s hefty price tag (around $1999) ensures that you’ll be able to ride the beach for up to 60 miles on its 48 volt Samsung battery. But the high-torque, 500 Watt motor also makes it capable of climbing big hills!

Further, Tower Electric Bikes Claims that even an adult can go up to 30 miles on the throttle alone. Therefore, if your teen is an explorer, or wants to visit friends or relatives out of town, this cruiser can cut it. Plus, it’s pretty darn cool to look at with it’s vintage brown seat and tires.

Best electric mountain bike: ANCHEER Electric Mountain Bike

This electric Mountain Bike (eMTB) has a 350 Watt motor and 26 inch tires, making it a full-size bike for climbing mountains. This makes it perfect for someone who’s age 17 or older.

Ancheer Electric Mountain Bike 350W — Image courtesy of Ancheer

It has a strong front suspension fork and double-walled rims which are necessary to take it on rough mountain trails. Further, it has 21-speed gears, a throttle, and pedal assistance which all provide the ability to get moving!

The best part about this e-bike is that you can begin mountain bike riding at a low price (around $750) yet customer ratings are super high!

One more thing before you buy… Read our Guide to Different Types of E-Bikes & Their Cost

To Sum Things Up

In general, the best electric bike for your 17-year-old teen is really dependent on their wants and needs, as well as yours as a parent. You’ll want to consider the features and benefits of each model. And you’ll have to decide how much you’re willing to pay (or how much is reasonable for your kid to pay).

I hope that this article gave you the answers you need to find the best electric bike for your 17-year-old or other teenage child.

You can find out more about buying e-bikes for children of other ages by reading the article below:

The Parents’ Guide to Buying Electric Bikes for Kids

Electric Bikes are Easy to Steal: 10 Tips for Preventing Theft

Lisa Sylvester

May 16, 2021

Electric Bikes are a hot commodity right now. They have been steadily increasing in popularity for the last few years, and it’s not hard to see why. And they offer many benefits over traditional bikes, such as increased range and speed that make them much more practical for commuters or casual riders.

However, they also come with an increased risk of theft because of their higher overall value! And they’re not any harder to steal than a regular bike.

The best ways to prevent your electric bike from being stolen are: You should invest in high-quality bike locks, be aware of where you park your e-bike, and consider using a bike alarm system or GPS.

In this blog post, I’ll give you 10 essential tips to prevent your e-bike from being stolen. I’ll discuss them in detail so you can enjoy all of the perks of owning one without worrying about someone stealing it. After all, a stolen bike is expensive to replace!

Invest in a High-Quality Bike Lock

There are multiple lock options for your e-bike, but despite which one you chose, be sure to invest in a strong, high-quality one. This might mean a slightly more expensive one, but locks that are too cheap can be broken and manipulated a lot easier.

In general, better quality locks are at least $35 but can be anywhere in the range of $40-$150. You want to make it as difficult as possible to break or cut off a lock, so make sure the material of the lock is plenty tough and solid. Locks that are at least 16mm in thickness are usually the hardest to break with bolt cutters!

Use multiple locks

Additionally, it’s a good idea to have more than one lock on your e-bike, as most thieves aren’t going to spend time lingering around if they intend to steal. Their goal is to find a bike that’s fast and easy to steal. So why would they take the time to go for a bike that has 2, 3, or 4 locks on it?

The better your bike is locked up, the less likely it (or the parts) are to be stolen!

Lock down the most important parts of your e-bike

You can also lock down certain parts of your bike. Specifically, the battery, as this is the most commonly stolen part on an e-bike! Make sure to lock it in a way that goes through the handle of the battery if possible. You can also remove the battery after your ride and keep it with you in your bag.

Additionally, it’s smart to secure your wheels, seat, stem, and handlebars to your bike to prevent the theft of these individual parts. The best bet is to lock down each wheel as it’s easy for a thief to steal the rest of the bike, even if just one wheel is locked down.

What Are the Best Locks for an E-Bike? Get two or three!

There are multiple locks that will work for your e-bike, but how do you determine the best one? Here is a brief description of the types of locks you can choose between.

U-Locks: These are U-shaped locks that wrap around the bike frame and wheel to prevent theft. These are great options for locking up your bike tightly. But they also can make your e-bike more difficult to transport because of the rigid shape. These are the most common and generally toughest locks to keep your e-bike from getting stolen. They’re typically less expensive than the chain locks.

This is what U Lock bike lock looks like — Kryptonite Kryptolok New-U

Chain Locks: These are slightly more portable because you can get them in various weights and sizes. You can also buy the chain and the lock separately. These locks are very strong and can be easily wrapped around your bike due to the different lengths of the chain. They tend to be quite expensive.

Chain Lock example for an e-bike — Hiplock Gold Chain Lock for Keeping Your E-Bike Safe from Thieves

Folding Locks: These locks are very transportable because they fold up into compact locks and are easy to use. Their quality will be different depending on the manufacture, so make sure you check reviews and research before buying one.

Folding Bike Lock Example — ABUS Bordo Granit XPlus 6500 Folding Bike Lock

Cable Locks: These are the cheapest options. However, that also means they are the least protective and can be cut easily. I really don’t recommend getting one of these for valuable electric bicycles!

The best brands for e-bike locks

I’ve researched and compiled a list of some of the toughest lock options to keep your e-bike from being stolen. Even so, I recommend using more than one lock, as well as more than one type of lock.

Of course, you can also read the reviews of the lock you are thinking about buying and see how others experienced it first!

Name:	Abus Granit X-Plus 540	Kryptonite Kryptolok New-U	Hiplok Gold Chain	Abus Bordo Granit 6500	Foldylock Compact	Kryptonite New York Standard Heavy Duty Bicycle U Lock
Weight:	3.2 lb	2.9 lb	4.8 lb	3.48 lb	2.2 lb
Thickness:	13mm	12.7mm	10 mm	5.5 mm	5 mm	16 mm
Price:	$121	$32.99	$84	$108	$85	$111
Rating:	4.7/5	4.6/5	4.4/5	4.6/5	4.9/5	4.7/5
Type:	U-Lock	U-lock	Chain Lock	Folding Lock	Folding Lock	U- Lock

Are Electric Bikes Easy to Steal in Crowds?

Some may think that your bike is in more danger on an empty street or shopping center, but oftentimes bike thefts actually happen in large, bustling crowds. This is because there are more distractions going on and people to hide behind. Unfortunately, many bystanders who see a suspicious person jiggling with a bike lock don’t confront the situation and continue walking by.

Your e-bike won’t necessarily be safer on an empty street either. It’s just that bike thieves know that tourist areas with lots of people are prime areas to find e-bikes left unattended.

Make sure to lock your bike up well no matter how populated a street or shopping center is and keep a close eye on it if you can. Otherwise, I’ll say it once again, use multiple locks!

Before you travel with your e-bike, read our e-bike travel guide!

Where Can I Chain My E-Bike?

Along with not letting your guard down in crowded areas, you should pay close attention to where you lock your bike up. Park in well-lit places whenever possible, and try not to leave it unattended outside too long, especially at night.

Chain your e-bike to a solid, hard-to-remove object such as a street light, metal post, concrete barrier, solid metal bike rack, or a parking meter.

Don’t attach your e-bike to a railing or object that looks flimsy or can be easily broken or removed, like wooden fences, flimsy trees, stop signs, or chain-link fences.

Another benefit of locking your e-bike up to an object stronger than its mainframe is that the only way to steal the bike will be to possibly damage it. The good news here is that most thieves don’t want to steal a bike that will end up damaged if they do.

Also, avoid parking in the parts of town that are reported to have more theft and petty crime. You probably know where these areas are within your city or county, so it’s a good idea to steer clear of parking your electric bike in these areas. At times it might be better to park your e-bike somewhere you know is relatively safe and walk the rest of the way to your destination.

And keep an eye out for any strangers who might be closely watching you lock up your bike, as they may be trying to gauge how easy it will be to steal it once you leave.

Store Your E-Bike Inside

This may be a bit complicated to do when out in public as most stores and public places won’t let you bring a large e-bike inside. But I’d certainly try keeping your e-bike with you whenever possible!

Talk to your boss about storing your e-bike indoors if you commute to work on your e-bike, or if you ride your bike to class, ask your professor. Some grocery stores and other establishments will let customers bring it inside as well.

When at home, try and designate an area of the house for your bike. This can be the living room, bedroom, or garage. However, it’s not uncommon to have an e-bike stolen out of a garage, so it’s still a good idea to lock it up in the garage for extra security!

And if you live in an apartment or condo, bring your e-bike indoors with you, as many bike thefts can happen overnight at apartment complexes as well. Consider putting down an extra rug to roll it onto if you’re concerned about damaging the floor.

If you’re struggling to find a place to keep your e-bike indoors, take a wheel off to make it a bit more compact. If you haven’t yet bought an e-bike, consider getting a foldable one so that it’ll fit into tight spaces.

Foldable E-Bike in Back of Car — A foldable e-bike may be easier to protect from thieves since you can fit it in more safe places.

Learn more about foldable e-bikes… read this!

Park Your E-Bike in Different Places

Parking your e-bike in the same place every day may raise the possibility of it getting stolen. If you use it to commute to work, school, or to volunteer somewhere regularly, an advanced bike thief may take notice. They’ll study your routine and find out how many hours the bike is left alone.

Try to find different places to lock it up or park on different sides of the building you are commuting to, as long as you can still safely lock up your bike. Don’t make it easy to steal!

What is an Alarm Lock? Add One to Your Arsenal!

You can also purchase a lock that sets off an alarm if your e-bike is being handled or tampered with. If there are people around, this may alert someone who will stop the thief. If not, the alarm sound will hopefully scare off the thief.

Some quality alarm lock brands and names include the AlarmD Pro, ABUS Bordo Alarm 6000A, ABUS 770A Smart-X, Wsdcam 113dB, and ZiiLock. Bike alarms are generally quite inexpensive, so it’s very likely to be worth getting.

Install a Bike Tracker or GPS Device

You can install a GPS device onto your electric bike so that, if it’s stolen, it can be tracked. And if a thief knows there is a tracking device attached to it, they might avoid it entirely. However, these trackers can still be taken off fairly easily if discovered, so it’s a good idea to try and hide or disguise them.

The company Sherlock offers a way to install a tracking device into the handlebars and can be tracked using an app on your phone, so it is much more difficult to find. Other brands that sell e-bike GPS tracking systems include the Samsung SmartThings Tracker, Tile Sticker, SinoTrack, Spytec GPS, and Invoxia GPS Tracker.

Find out more about GPS trackers!

Create Fake Warning Signs & Get Creative

If you can’t afford to buy an actual alarm or tracking device, a great way to outsmart a bike thief is to create a fake yet authentic-looking warning sign to place on your bike. Thieves will often go for the easiest option. So having even handmade signs (along with multiple locks) might cause them to pass up your bike and take their chances with another one.

Put up a security sign

You can find templates for certain signs, or just type one out yourself. These signs can include a warning label saying that there is a GPS tracker on the bike, or that an alarm will sound if the lock is broken.

If parked outside of your home or workplace, add that they are being watched by security cameras around the perimeter. You can do this even if there are no security cameras. If a thief doubts the authenticity of these signs, they will most likely not want to take their chances.

Camouflage your e-bike

Another creative way to add more security measures to your e-bike is to camouflage it as an older or less important bike.

Many e-bikes are new and shiny-looking, but if you’re willing to sacrifice their appearance for better protection, then this is a viable option! There are some ways you can help make it look much less desirable: Paint fake rust onto its frame and handlebars, place a grocery bag over the seat, get mismatched handlebar grips, add splotches of paint, or stick on little pieces of duct tape.

Camouflaged Bike — Make your shiny e-bike less appealing to thieves (a little extreme, but you get the idea).

Should I Insure My E-Bike? Get insurance if…

Some companies or websites will offer insurance when you buy your bike. So, it’s a good idea to look into the insurance policies of the company you buy your bike from. Be sure to look over all of the specific details, like whether the insurance will cover just your battery being stolen or instead only cover the whole bike.

Typically, e-bike insurance from renters and homeowners policies offer very limited coverage. So pay close attention to every aspect of the insurance you are looking to buy. Some homeowners insurance policies will only cover your e-bike if it is stolen directly from your home. But they won’t cover it if stolen off the street or outside of your work.

Do I need insurance for my e-bike?

So, it may be a good idea to buy e-bike insurance if you have an expensive bike and no other insurance will cover its loss. Some good insurance companies that may cover electric bikes include Progressive, Markel, Velosurance, Sundays Insurance, and SPOKE.

Need more info on the price you should pay for an e-bike?

In conclusion

Are electric bikes easy to steal? They may not be harder than any other bike to steal, but they are much more valuable and expensive to replace.

Therefore, electric bicycle theft prevention is not something to be taken lightly, and cases of theft are spiking in many places. As electric bikes continue to gain in popularity, so does the potential of thieves wanting to scavenge them for their value.

Unfortunately, it’s just too easy to steal one… and quite tempting since they’re generally worth more than an average bike.

Therefore, it’s a great idea to update your anti-theft protocols to better protect your e-bike! Purchasing quality bike locks, using more than one at a time, paying attention to where you park your bike, and using methods like an alarm system or GPS tracker can be very useful ways to protect you from bike theft.

What Is an Electric Trike? How to Ride One

Lisa Sylvester

May 8, 2021

Electric bikes have become a popular alternative to traditional bikes. Now many are wondering what an electric trike is and why they’re being ridden by adults instead of children!

An electric trike is an adult-sized motor-powered bike with three wheels, much like those that small children ride. It’s commonly used by adults with disabilities and seniors who may be unable to ride a two-wheeled bike. An e-tricycle offers motor assistance when the rider pedals and the three wheels remove the need to balance.

Without the concern of balancing, as on a traditional bike, riders can enjoy themselves more and reap the benefits of cycling in general. Like other e-bikes, these three-wheeled electric bikes have become an enjoyable way of getting around without having to worry about hills or headwinds.

How to Ride an Electric Trike

Generally speaking, riding an electric trike is very similar to riding any other bike. The main differences are that it has three wheels to remove the need for balancing and that when you pedal, the electric motor will kick in to help you.

This means that when you approach a hill, or if your legs are tired from cycling, you’ll be able to continue riding by using the electric motor.

Is it Easy?

Riding an electric trike will most likely require a learning curve like any new form of transportation, but it may not take as long to learn as some!

Overall, it is fairly easy to learn how to ride an e-trike, but it is important to be aware of the differences between an electric trike and an electric bike.

Also, please understand that young kids have their own electric bike options and that these are not the same trikes for young children. Be sure to give yourself time to learn and take it slow before taking it out onto the streets.

What is an electric trike? These tricycles have 3 wheels and are made for adults to ride. — Photo courtesy of Zize Trikes

Like an e-bike, electric trikes are motor-powered and include pedal assist, but e-trikes have much more stability and balance. You will be able to cruise up a hill at a more leisurely pace without the fear of falling over.

If you start to feel tired, a third wheel will prevent you from tipping as easily. For example, when stopping at a light or crosswalk, a rider of a two-wheeled bike will have to put their feet down to balance the bike. But riding a trike will provide that balance for you so you don’t have to switch positions and start back up again.

However, you might want to hold on to the brakes tightly so that you don’t roll at all while stopped.

It’s easy to ride an e-trike by following these 12 tips for beginners!

Disadvantages of an E-Bike

Something that may be a bit more of a struggle when riding an e-trike is turning tight corners and avoiding obstacles in the road. Because of the third wheel, the turning radius is wider. So you’ll need to account for extra space and move slower while turning to avoid tipping over. Be careful not to lean too much into the curve, as it’ll actually cause you to lose balance easier. Instead, just use the handlebars to help you turn safely.

Electric Trikes also tend to be larger and take up more space than a two-wheeled bike, so storage can be a problem. Further, getting one into a car can be near impossible!

Want to know more about how an e-bike works? Take a look.

Benefits of Riding an Electric Trike

Riding an e-trike provides essentially the same benefits as riding an electric bike. They may require less balancing effort, but you will still be able to ride in the same places and receive the same workout from pedaling.

Riding an electric trike is great for a number of things:

Mental Health
Cardiovascular Health
Joint Health
Muscle and bone strengthening

Mental health

Getting regular exercise and being out in nature is proven to enhance your mood and release positive endorphins. It can help with depression and anxiety and calm your brain.

Additionally, vitamin D (from being out in the sun) and fresh air can help maintain a more balanced mood and improve cognitive function. And riding an electric trike or bike is a safe, fun way to improve your mental health.

Cardiovascular health: Is riding a tricycle good exercise?

Riding any bicycle on a regular basis can lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, strokes, and age-related issues. This is because it increases your physical activity and works your cardiovascular system.

Riding can also help keep your weight down and burn calories, leading to a healthier body overall. Further, receiving a proper amount of exercise can boost your immune system.

But the absolute greatest thing about riding an electric trike, instead of a regular bike, is that it makes exercise much easier. Thus, you’re more likely to do it and will do it more often, which will improve your overall physical fitness.

Read our E-Bike Fitness and Health Guide here!

Joint health

Riding a bike is a low-impact exercise and puts much less stress on your joints than running or high-impact sports.

And since electric trikes have pedal assist, and often a power throttle, you can take as many breaks as your joints need while still moving forward on the bike. Just increase the level of power assistance to make pedaling easier or use the throttle exclusively without pedaling at all.

Muscle Strengthening

Pedaling an electric trike is a great way to strengthen your bones and work on building up muscle strength, without having to worry about balance. Building muscle will not only help you burn fat, but it’ll also keep you stronger and more capable in other daily activities.

Plus, cycling, in general, will strengthen your bones while increasing muscle.

How Much is an Electric Trike?

Name	Addmotor Motan Electric Trike	Viribus 3 Wheel Electric Bike for Adults	EWheels (EW-29)	Emojo Caddy Pro Fat Tire	Addmotor M-340 Electric Fat Trike
Rating	5 / 5 stars	3.5 / 5 stars	3 / 5 stars	5 / 5 stars	4 / 5 stars
Price	$2,999	$969.99	$1,949	$2,799	$2,999
Carry Weight	Up to 350 lbs	Up to 300 lbs	Up to 400 lbs	Up to 320 lbs	Up to 350 lbs
Colors	White, Apple Green, Orange	Black	White, Apple Green, Orange	White, Grey	Pearl White, Starry Blue, Neptune Blue
Extra Qualities	750W 48V 16AH M360	250W Motor, Bike Tube, Removable 36V 10Ah Lithium Battery, Adult Tricycle with Adjustable Cruiser Bike Seat and Bike Basket, Exercise Bike, up to 15mph	Scoot-Around Pedal or Electric Power 3 Wheel Trike with 3 Year Extended Warranty, up to 15mph, 500-750W	500W 48V, Seat with backrest, Step-through frame	250W 48V, Seat with backrest, Step-through frame

Electric Trike Conversion

You can also buy conversion kits to customize your trike and build on parts to your own non-electric trike. These kits usually cost anywhere between $200-1,000 depending on what it includes and the quality of parts in each kit.

If you don’t want a whole kit, you can buy individual parts as well. If you want a smaller or more comfortable seat, for example, you can buy and replace just the seat. The same goes for the battery, motor, handlebars, and wheels.

Learn more about converting your bike to electric.

Where to Buy an E-Trike

You can buy an e-trike from many online stores, including Amazon. The best way to find them is to do an internet search and look at different brands. If you’d prefer to look at some in person before buying, you may also be able to find them in select Walmarts and a number of bike stores.

Three-wheeled trikes are far less common than e-bikes. But you can look up bicycle shops near you that sell electric bikes and call them to inquire about electric trikes.

Things You Should Know Before Buying a Trike

How fast do e-trikes go?

E-trikes can go up to 30 mph, with most having a motor that maxes out at 20 mph, depending on the brand and model. They can typically ride for 30-40 miles on a single battery charge before dying so you shouldn’t have trouble getting where you need to go.

Are trikes street legal?

Generally, e-trikes can be ridden anywhere that electric bikes can go. Otherwise, they have the same street requirements as any regular bicycle. Since laws and regulations differ, be sure to look up your specific state, county, and city to read their requirements for riding any electric tricycle or bicycle.

Do you need a helmet to ride an electric trike?

In most places, the law does not require an adult cyclist to wear a helmet when riding an electric bike or trike. However, it’s strongly recommended that you wear one anyway. After all, your head is your most valuable body part. A helmet will protect your head in an accident as well as from flying road debris.

How is an electric trike different than a 3 wheel motorcycle?

An electric trike is different from a three-wheeled motorcycle for a couple of reasons. First of all, the motor doesn’t allow it to go nearly as fast as a motorcycle. The average motorcycle can go up to 165 mph, while e-trikes only go up to 30mph at the fastest. E-trikes aren’t meant to be ridden on busy streets or freeways like motorcycles are. Rather, they’re better for riding on bike paths and less populated scenic routes.

Another difference is that riders can use their body to help turn on a motorcycle, whereas on an e-trike you only need to use the handlebars to steer around turns. On a motorcycle, you turn the bike with counter steering, meaning you lean the opposite way of the curve to turn. E-trikes have direct steering.

Get the safety tips you need to ride an electric trike.

In Conclusion

As electric bikes become more widely used, e-trikes are starting to pop up more as well. Like e-bikes, e-trikes provide motor assistance that makes it easier for a rider to pedal and get where they’re going. However, adding a third wheel to an e-trike removes the need for balance and allows more people with disabilities or injuries to get out and ride.

How Long Does an Electric Bike Controller Last: How to Test

Lisa Sylvester

May 7, 2021

When buying an e-bike, many people are just thinking about the cost of the bike and which one they want. But it’s also a good idea to pay attention to the ongoing replacement needs of the various parts, especially the electric components.

As with any electric component, your e-bike controller is one of the parts likely to break first. So, you should consider how long your e-bike controller will last and what you’ll have to pay to get a new one.

On average, an electric bike controller will last a minimum of 3-4 years, just like the battery and the motor. You can determine the need to replace the controller by testing it with a multimeter to measure the voltage crossing the terminals.

An electric bike controller is a device that converts human effort into electric power for an electric bike. The electric motor then turns this energy into mechanical motion to drive the wheels of a bicycle. This device can fail and stop working, so it’s important to know how to test your controller in order to prevent being stranded somewhere without your vehicle!

What Does the Controller On an E-Bike Do?

The electric bike controller is the piece of equipment that allows an electric bike to function. It does this by coordinating all aspects of the electric bike, including power from a battery pack, speed control for motorized bikes, and throttle input from the rider.

The most common type of electric bike controller is called a “speed circuit” which uses potentiometers as feedback devices to adjust voltage levels in different parts of the circuit according to how hard you’re pedaling or how fast you want your bike to go.

In case you’re wondering, potentiometers are special resistors that produce varying electrical currents. They’re used in electric bike controllers because they can be adjusted to control voltage levels.

There are two primary parts of the e-bike that controller wiring connects to.

Computer Display

Electric Bike Controller Display — Electric bike controller with LCD display

The computer display, typically an LCD screen, is the main interface between the electric bike controller and rider. It communicates what assistance level you have selected or how fast your electric bicycle is going.

The display will usually include menus to make it easy for riders to navigate different options, like selecting a power mode, setting up digital speed readouts in kilometers per hour or miles per hour, and even finding out if there’s enough battery life left before needing to recharge it.

Electronic Switches

These switches turn on the motor and turn it off again. There are usually two types of switches:

-The throttle is a grip on the handlebars that riders twist to turn the motor power on and off (or sometimes it’s a button you press with your thumb).

– The pedal assist sensors, which can be either of two types – cadence or torque sensing. These work when you’re pedaling by turning electric motors on as soon as your foot speeds up, or slows down again at different levels of assistance based on what feels best for each person’s individual cycling habits.

These switches make it easier to use an e-bike than if you had to press start every time before proceeding with your ride. You’ll know how these options are set in advance so they’ll always feel natural without any confusion about whether there’s enough battery life left.

How Long Does an E-Bike Controller Work?

An electric bike controller box should last anywhere from two to five years (so averaging 3-4).

When it comes to electric bike controllers and their longevity, there are a couple of things that will help determine how long they last.

How Often You Ride

For starters, it largely depends on how often you ride your bike. If you’re an occasional rider, your controller could last for many years. But, if you’re a daily rider or like to tour, it may only last one or two years.

Riding and Storage Conditions

Riding and storage conditions can also affect how long it lasts. Heat, freezing temperatures, humidity, flying debris (like sand and dirt), and extreme riding (like electric mountain bike riding) can all affect how long your parts will work, including your controller.

It’s best to keep your e-bike in a dry, cool location averaging 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, and keep it clean. This will benefit all of the electrical parts that interact with each other.

Find out how to keep your e-bike clean from sand and dirt.

Cost and Quality

Additionally, the cost is a big factor. You’ll get a better quality, more powerful controller for a bigger price tag. If there are lots of hills involved that require stronger pedaling power than usual, it may make sense to spend $300 or more on a new controller because you can expect it to last much longer.

Keep an eye out for malfunctions with the controller marked by flickering lights or clicking noises coming from within the motor unit – these can be indicators that something isn’t right with the system. In cases like these, first take advantage of any remaining warranty provided by most companies before considering buying a new one.

If there it isn’t under warranty, proceed with testing your controller before purchasing a new one.

How to Test My Controller and Display

An electric bike controller helps to power your electric bicycle by converting the energy from a battery into kinetic energy. It is important that you know how to test and maintain your electric bike controller so it will last for years of use.

To test your controller to determine whether it’s working, you need to measure the voltage across the terminals. If you don’t have a multimeter, or you’re not familiar with how to use one, find someone who is and ask them for help.

Wiring Diagram for Electric Bike Controller

Shows the wire ouput for an e-bike controller

Step One: Test Hall Sensors

First, test the hall sensors. You can do this by unplugging the motor wires from the controller’s terminals, then plug them back in to see if it turns on. If they turn back on, go to step 2.

Step Two: Test Throttle Sensor

Next, test that your throttle sensor is working by connecting a wire between the signal and ground lines (or black and red) of the throttle connector. This should cause your electric bike to start moving forward when you turn or squeeze your grip handle; if not, go to step three or check with a bike electrician for help troubleshooting.

Checking all these sensors before using your e-bike will ensure that everything is wired correctly so there are no problems later on down the road. It also prevents other damage because now you know what could be causing any malfunctions before they happen!

Step Three: How to Test The Battery and Motor

Testing the battery is also important as it’s what feeds electric power to the controller. So, if your controller isn’t working, it could be due to a bad (or uncharged) battery.

So first, make sure your battery is charged.

Second, you’ll need to disconnect the power connector in order to test it safely.

Third, once disconnected from the bike controller, you can put a voltmeter’s probes on either side of the battery and check for voltage reading; if you get any electric shock or sparks DO NOT TOUCH THE BATTERY!

If there are no problems with this step, then move on to testing that your motor is working. Do this by connecting one probe end of a multimeter (or digital meter) across each red/black wire on your throttle connector while applying pressure to trigger the throttle sensor.

If nothing happens when squeezing the grip handle then something needs fixing!

Take a look at our step by step maintenance guide!

Price for a New Controller

If you test your controller and discover that you need a new one, you’ll want to compare both prices and features. The average cost is from $200 to $500 for a quality one with all of the features you want and a beautiful LCD display.

However, you can get a cheaper controller (around $20-$60) with few settings and options. The benefit to buying a less expensive one is that it’ll give you fewer connections to monitor and therefore less to go wrong. But like any inexpensive part, it may not last as long. And getting a cheap one means that you may not have all of the features you’d like (like fewer levels of pedal assist, and therefore, less speed assistance).

If you need a dual mode controller with lots of settings that requires more monitoring, the costs can be much higher. For most people who are just using their electric bike in order to commute or run errands around town, a $200-$300 controller (Amazon) is usually enough.

In some cases, however, where there are hills involved that require stronger pedaling power than usual, it may make sense to spend $300 or more on a new controller.

Finally, make sure the controller has all of the functions that you want before you buy it. And you’ll want to consider the battery voltage and motor watts so that the controller works with what you’ve already got.

Are you a DIY e-bike builder? You can also buy a new controller within a conversion kit. And, if you’re converting your own bike to an electric bike, it’s recommended that you use the controller that comes with the conversion kit so that everything is made to work well together.

Learn more about e-bike conversion and DIY kits.

List of the Best E-Bike Controllers for the Money

Take a look at some of the best options for electric bike controllers, some cheaper than others. Note that the more expensive ones don’t always come with displays, or if they do, they might not be nice LCD displays. Also, the lower voltage controllers are generally less expensive but mean that you won’t be able to get as much speed and power from them.

Overall, the controller will be priced higher for an electric bike that has a motor with higher wattage and a higher volt battery. So make sure you buy one that works with your e-bike.

Finally, the cost will increase if you’re buying an entire conversion kit to build your own e-bike or if you want a better quality component.

Brands on Amazon	Star Rating	Price
NBPower Sine Wave Brushless DC Motor Controller	**** 1/2	$289
Dilwe Brushless Controller + LCD Display, Rainproof	****	$63
Wonvon Motor Brushless Controller + LCD Display, Waterproof	****	$57
EBIKELING 500W 1200W 1500W Waterproof	****	$58
Cozyel 48V/72V 2000W Brushless Motor Speed Controller	****	$70
Alomejor 12V 500W Motor Controller	**** 1/2	$22

Best Electric Bike Controllers- 4+ Buyer Star rating

Time to buy a new e-bike? Check out our Best E-Bike Companies guide.

How to Program My E-Bike Controller

Programming the electric controller will depend on the brand, but the general idea is to turn it on and make changes by turning the mode switch until you find the desired setting.

If you bought a new controller because your old one no longer works, you’ll need to do a little programming unless you want to keep it on the manufacturer’s default settings.

Programming Using Default Settings

This will vary depending on whether your electric bike controller is using a simple push-button, or if it has LED lights to indicate battery charge status and power selection. You should defer to the manufacturer’s owner’s manual if you’re not sure how to do it.

For example, if you are using an electric bike with Shimano components, after turning your controller on wait for ten seconds and then press and release your grip handle while holding down both buttons (thumb) of the programming port at the same time; let go when done.

Programming New Settings

If you don’t want to use the default settings, you may be able to re-program your controller by following these general steps (again, they may differ depending on the brand of the controller):

– Turn on your electric bike.

– Wait for five seconds and hold the handlebar button with both thumbs down, then release it. This is called programming mode.

– Press the right thumb to increase power or the left thumb to decrease power (the LED lights will tell you which direction). Repeat this until you’re happy with your new settings. You can also press one of the buttons after a delay when in programming mode to set that as default speed instead of using other settings; let go when done.

– To return back to regular use without changing anything else, you can usually turn off the controller and wait five or more seconds before turning it back on.

Conclusion

Electric bike controllers should last for many years if you take care of them and follow the instructions. However, how long it lasts also depends on how often you ride, the conditions in which you ride, and whether you take care of your e-bike in general.

To help keep it in shape, it’s a good idea to test your controller occasionally to make sure it’s giving the maximum output. This will keep you from getting stranded far from home when it suddenly breaks.

How to Get Fit on an E-Bike: Essential Guide to Fitness and Health Benefits

Lisa Sylvester

April 27, 2021

Is riding an electric bike cheating? You might be wondering whether you can get fit, stay fit, and feel healthy by riding e-bikes. After all, riding a bike with a motor certainly makes it easier, right?

Research suggests that you can get fit on an e-bike by riding regularly. Studies indicate that you can increase cardiovascular exercise, improve cognitive function, get better sleep, and build muscle while losing fat. Further, people ride their e-bikes farther and more often than they would on a regular bike.

In this article, I’ll show you the research that supports how riders can get fit and healthy on e-bikes, help you understand the benefits of getting a good workout on electric bikes, and give you ideas on how to improve fitness by riding your e-bike.

Do E-Bikes Improve Fitness? (The Research)

With some of the recent research being done surrounding pedal-assisted bikes, it’s much easier than it used to be to answer “yes” to this question.

According to recent research studies, your physical health, mental health, and overall fitness can increase by riding your e-bike regularly. Riding electric bikes has been shown to increase aerobic capacity and blood sugar control, improve cognitive function, provide mental benefits, and lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

One study at the University of Colorado Boulder specifically looked at physically inactive, car commuters to see whether pedelecs (e-bikes) could help them meet their daily recommended fitness goals.

After one month of substituting their car commute for riding an electric bike 3 times per week, for a minimum of 40 minutes, at their own chosen speed and level of intensity, researchers noted “increased aerobic capacity and improved blood sugar control”.

Similarly, a research article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity studied the health benefits of electric bike riding. What they discovered is that electric bikes offer moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. It’s higher than walking but lower than riding a traditional nonelectric bicycle. Further, they found “moderate” evidence that e-bike riding can increase cardiorespiratory fitness in previously inactive people.

A long-term study in the UK of over 264,000 people, published in the British Medical Journal, found a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer in people who commuted by cycling (which includes riding e-bikes). Dr. Gill comments:

“Cycling all or part of the way to work was associated with substantially lower risk of adverse health outcomes. Those who cycled the full length of their commute had an over 40 percent lower risk of heart disease, cancer and overall mortality over the five years of follow-up.”
Dr. Jason Gill, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences

Another study in PLOS ONE journal reports that, after 8 weeks of cycling, either on a regular bike or an e-bike, older adults ages 50-83, improved in executive cognitive function. E-bikes also improved riders’ processing speed and their mental health score, as compared to non-cyclists. Even more notable is that e-bike riding may provide even greater mental benefits than traditional cycling just due to being in an outdoor environment.

Finally, The UMPC Health Beat reports a study published in the Circulation journal that found that cyclists who rode regularly had around 15% fewer heart attacks than those who didn’t bicycle.

In conclusion, when we’re talking about improving fitness by riding electric bikes, the research suggests that you can most definitely get fitter, stay healthier, and feel better, both mentally and physically.

Man riding electric bike on paved road — Marc’s daily ride on his RadMini Rad Power Bikes!

Why You Should Get Fit On an Electric Bike

The number one reason you should use an e-bike to get fit is that it makes exercise fun and, therefore, you’re more likely to exercise in the first place. The number two reason you should use your electric bike for fitness is that it’s more accessible regardless of physical ability.

It’s easier to get daily exercise because you can work out as hard as you want or increase motor assistance when you’re tired.

Exercise is more fun on pedal-assisted bikes

Just try to find someone who doesn’t think riding electric bikes is fun. I’ve never met anyone. However, you can probably find plenty of people who’ll tell you that they don’t like to ride electric bikes. But this is likely due to the fact that they’ve only had the opportunity to ride a conventional bike (not e-bikes) and found it difficult.

The truth is that having a motor to assist your pedaling makes riding easier, faster, and therefore, more fun:

You can ride uphill on e-bikes without feeling as though you’ll pass out or overworking your leg muscles
You can ride your e-bike to college without breaking a sweat (well, maybe) and still get exercise
And you can get to the store without worrying that you’ll be too tired to ride back home
You can even ride electric mountain bikes if you’re going for off-road adventure

woman on electric bike smiling — Riding Rad!

You are more likely to exercise regularly on e-bikes

Because riding an e-bike is more fun than many other types of exercise, your motivation to hop on it and ride is more likely. In turn, more people will have a better chance of exercising several times per week on their e-bikes… if not daily! I’ll cite a few different research studies later on in this article that confirm this.

Electric bikes are accessible to all

The second reason to use an e-bike for fitness and improving your overall health is that it’s very attainable. That is, a majority of people can ride electric bikes even if they have a disability, or injury, or are just more challenged due to age (check out electric trikes).

Because you can use as much pedal assistance as needed, you can ease up on pedaling whenever you need to. And if you already have an injury, many electric bikes will give you a throttle to move the bike forward without pedaling.

Find out why e-bikes are good for seniors!

And there are even electric trikes that remove the need for balance… the three wheels keep you grounded.

Did you know that you can ride an electric bike and improve your fitness, even if you’re obese or substantially overweight? Not only are many e-bikes made with stronger, larger frames, but there are also ones that will hold up to 550 lbs (body weight and cargo included). So, almost anyone can find electric bikes perfect for them.

Even better, you can use an electric bike to remove physical and psychological barriers and get a moderate workout without putting excessive strain on your joints and the rest of your body.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Fit on an E-Bike?

Many of the benefits of riding an e-bike for fitness are the same as when riding a traditional bike (or mountain bike) and include improved mental health, increased cardiovascular health, a lowered risk of serious diseases, and less joint impact.

Additionally, all the many benefits of getting fit on an electric bike include increased time riding and going longer distances because of motor assistance.

Additional Research

The National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC) conducted a survey of e-bike owners as a follow-up to a study at Portland State University. This study found that electric bikes are helping users ride more often, to more distant locations, and to carry more cargo with them (you can even take a pet). The study showed that people with physical limitations, or who were too far from where they needed to go, were able to ride e-bikes because of the electric assistance.

The NITC survey confirmed the findings that riding an electric bike generated more and longer trips.

Additionally, Science Direct describes one study of 10,000 participants comparing the physical activity of e-bike riders to traditional bike riders and non-cyclists. They also discovered that e-bike riders go on longer trips than regular cyclists. Further, there wasn’t a measurable difference in the increase in physical activity between both e-bikers and regular cyclists (meaning that e-cyclists didn’t get significantly less physical activity than regular bike riders).

What these studies suggest is that, if you’re not one to exercise regularly or consistently, then you are much more likely to get fit on an e-bike than on a regular bike.

Other surprising benefits of getting fit on an electric bike include improved mental health, lower risk of cardiovascular disease, increased mobility, and strength, as well as weight loss.

Additionally, the UMPC Health Beat, cited earlier, reports multiple health benefits of regular cycling, whether it’s on an e-bike or standard bike, including:

Improved cardiovascular systems
Increased flexibility and muscle strength
Improved mobility in knee joints
Mood improvement
Posture and coordination improvement
Decreased percentage of body fat
Disease management and prevention
Reduced risk of cancer
Decreased anxiety
Lowered dementia risk

Let’s discuss the health benefits of e-bike fitness in more detail.

Mental health benefits

Taking your electric bike for a ride is great for your mental health as well as physical health! First off, exercise, in general, is proven to enhance your mood and cognitive functions as well as decrease depression and anxiety (and electric bikes are just fun!).

Woman enjoying fresh air and clearing her mind after a bike ride

The act of cycling pumps blood faster through your body and helps your endorphins, like serotonin and dopamine, to spread rapidly throughout your body. Further, studies have shown that riding e-bikes can reduce stress hormones, which in conjunction with the increase in serotonin, can help you sleep better and further improve your mood.

Not to mention that the thrill of riding an electric bike at faster speeds than a standard bike makes riding more fun than your other daily activities, thus improving your mood!

A study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) discovered that the frequency of exercise should be the focus of improving mental health, rather than the intensity of it. So, riding your electric bike daily, even if it’s for a short time, can make you feel better.

For additional reading, there’s an article in The Guardian by a man who used cycling to battle his depression and anxiety.

Lower rates of cardiovascular disease

Cycling regularly can help decrease cardiovascular problems like heart disease and cancer. It’s a great way to burn calories and maintain a healthy weight, help your body receive more oxygen, regulate blood flow, and strengthen your stamina, all of which help you to have a healthier heart.

Refer to the studies mentioned above for more details.

Increased mobility and muscle strength

Riding a bike can mobilize joints and strengthen your muscles. But the great thing about riding an electric bike is that you can get fitter gradually, over a period of time, without risking injury. Using electric motor power allows for starting your e-bike ride without a lot of resistance and slowly increasing that resistance as you decrease the amount of electric assistance you’re receiving.

You get warmed up more carefully and don’t need to struggle to get started. Having the ability to gradually warm up, as well as cool down, will keep your joints and muscles in good shape while helping you to stay mobile on and off your e-bike.

Minimal joint stress

E-biking is a low-impact exercise, so it’s softer on your joints and less prone to giving you sprains or injuries than running and other high-impact types of exercise. This is extremely beneficial if you haven’t done much exercise previously or you are obese, injured, or elderly.

Specifically, cycling is gentle on your knees, ankles, hips, and back. Further, low-impact exercises, like riding e-bikes, help you warm up not only your joints more carefully but also the rest of your body.

Weight Loss

Can you lose weight on an electric bike?

Riding an e-bike is also an efficient and healthy way to experience weight loss, all while gaining weight in muscle mass. Riding any type of bike requires exertion from your whole body, from arms to legs to abdomen, so doing it regularly is a well-rounded way to lose weight and gain muscle.

Further, thanks to an e-bike’s electric pedal assist, it’ll be easier to ride for longer and get more physical activity than you would otherwise, potentially leading to even more lost weight.

However, to burn fat while cycling, you need to get your heart rate up to about 70% of your maximum. To determine how high it should be to burn fat, you can subtract your age from 220. So, if you’re 50, then your max heart rate would be 170. Then, to burn fat, it needs to be at 70 percent of 170, or 119. Thus your heart must beat 119 times per minute in order to burn fat.

For weight loss, you’ll likely need to use a lower assistance level to make you somewhat breathless and unable to easily maintain a conversation. Riding for fitness on electric mountain bikes up in the hills is a perfect example.

How to Get Fit on an E-Bike

So, how do you get fit on an e-bike? Make a fitness plan. Like many workouts, it’s entirely up to you how much electric bikes exercise you want to get. However, with an electric bike, you have a great deal more control over your expenditure than on a conventional bike.

To get fit on your e-bike you should:

Determine the level of workout you want
Choose the muscle groups you want to exercise most
Find a suitable training location
Decide how long you’ll ride and how far you’ll go
Schedule your ride times for the week
Don’t forget to stretch

I suggest that you keep a weekly workout log with these details to ensure that you’re maximizing the time spent on your e-bike to get fit. And make sure to download a couple of the best free fitness apps for e-bikes that I’ve compiled for you below.

Determine the level of workout you want

Your overall level of fitness achieved by riding an e-bike will be largely determined by your effort and how much energy you expend. If you choose to increase your electrical assistance level whenever riding gets a little challenging, you won’t get as much exercise as riding until you’re breathless or your muscles start to burn.

That being said, you should start slowly.

The great thing about e-bikes though, is that you can easily switch from riding hard to riding easy and vice versa. So, there’s no reason to avoid a challenge, burn more calories, and get fitter. You can always reduce your effort when you get tired. In fact, using intervals of hard and easy on a pedal-assisted bike is a great way to start building your cycling workout and stay motivated to continue.

Like any type of exercise, you should start pedaling slowly to warm up so that you don’t over-stress your muscles. Then, gradually increase the intensity until you have reached your maximum heart rate. Stay riding in that zone as long as you are comfortable, preferably for 15-20 minutes.

What muscle groups do you want to challenge?

In general, riding electric bikes will focus your workout on your core muscles (pelvic floor, abdomen, obliques, diaphragm, etc.), legs (hamstrings, quads, shins, calves), and buttocks (glutes). You won’t be working out your arms, chest, or most of your back.

Leg muscles used riding a bike. — Image courtesy of TrainingPeaks.com

To build core muscles while riding e-bikes, you essentially need to work them harder than they’re used to and then give them a chance to rebuild and become even stronger. So, after working out any muscle group significantly, you need to give it the next day off to rest.

Planning out your riding days ahead of time will maximize your workout effort and ensure that you’re not overworking any one muscle group… or neglecting others (for help, see the Beginner E-Cycling Fitness plan below).

For instance, if you ride steep hills with as little motor assistance as possible one day, you’ll want to give your leg muscles a rest the next day by focusing on other muscle groups to exercise instead. This could be an entirely different exercise, such as swimming, yoga, or upper body weight lifting. Or it could just mean taking an easy, casual e-bike ride on a flat road.

If you have an injury or certain muscles are weak, then you’ll want to be careful to not overwork those areas. You might want to ride in lower gears and/or switch your pedal assist mode to a higher output so that you can still ride but not overexert those muscles. Make sure to find a suitable bike training location.

Training location: where to ride

What kind of roads and elevations will you ride on an electric bike?

If you have access to steep climbs, it’s a good idea to alternate riding on flat land with riding uphill. And because you’re on an e-bike, you can do this even if you’re new to fitness or new to working out on electric bikes. If you were riding a non-electric bike, you might not make it up a hill to begin with.

If you don’t have hills in your area, then you’ll simply switch between higher and lower gears and electric power assistance levels to alternate the resistance and therefore the intensity of your workout.

Don’t neglect to learn how to shift the gears for the best ride!

How long and how far will you ride on your electric bike?

As the research discussed earlier indicated, you’re likely to exercise longer and go farther on an electric bike than on a non electric bike. And e-bikes certainly make it easier and more fun to do this.

So, for starters, don’t underestimate how far you will go. After a few rides, you’ll get an idea of how long you can ride and what kind of physical exertion you desire. Then, you should increase the amount of riding each week. It’s okay to start slow… just map out your ride beforehand and use your e-bike’s controller display or an app to measure your distance.

Schedule your ride times for the week

Finally, determine how often you’ll ride every week and plan out the times and days of the week. Without a plan, you’ll be surprised how fast the days disappear… and fitting in regular workouts will be less likely.

Stretch before and after each ride

Always do a proper warm up and cool down after each ride to ensure that riding your bike isn’t overstressing any muscles, joints, or ligaments.

Don’t have an electric bike yet? Check out the electric bikes buying guide!

Beginner E-Bike Workout Plan

If you’re new to exercising or are a beginner e-bike rider, follow this guide to get started (get your comfortable padded bike shorts ready). Once you’re confident and comfortable on your bike, you may wish to modify it. However, you can easily follow this plan for 4-6 weeks. Then re-evaluate your fitness and goals.

	LEVEL OF WORKOUT	GOAL	LOCATION/ELEVATION	MINUTES
SUNDAY	Easy	Relaxed/fun	Flat Road	15
MONDAY	Moderate	Increase stamina/ Build muscle	Flat + 6% incline hill	15-20
TUESDAY	Break
WEDNESDAY	Moderate	Increase heart rate/ Build muscle	6-10% incline hills/low motor assist	15-20
THURSDAY	Break
FRIDAY	Moderate	Achieve maximum heart rate	6-10% incline hills/low motor assist	15-20
SATURDAY	Break

*Complete 5-10 minutes of a good warm-up ride beforehand and enjoy a casual ride of 20 minutes after meeting your goal.

Best free apps for e-biking health and fitness

Your e-bike fitness plan will be more successful if you measure your stats and continue to improve on them. So, find a cycling fitness app that works with your phone and use it to further develop your fitness plan, as well as to stay on track.

Keep your goals in mind, whether they are to decrease blood pressure, weight loss, or just to improve a sedentary lifestyle. Here are five highly-rated apps that’ll help you meet your goals.

Strava: Run, Ride, Swim
1. Rating: 4.8/5 Stars
2. Overview: This app is great for all cyclists, whether it be traditional biking or e-biking! You can easily track your distance, speed, elevation gained, pace, and calories burned. The app includes special routes and maps and allows you to set monthly challenges to compete with others and to push yourself. Your stats can be shared on your Strava feed or other social media platforms.
3. Awards: Editor’s Choice
4. Phone: IOS and Android

Bike GPS- Ride Tracker
1. Rating: 4.7/5 Stars
2. Overview: This app is very intuitive and allows you to simply track your rides. It also creates detailed statistics and bike profiles.
3. Phone: IOS and Android

Cyclemeter-Cycling & Running
1. Rating: 4.6/5
2. Overview: Like the other apps, this one can track your heart rate, bike speed, cadence, and power. It can also detect stops automatically, view maps with Google, and tell you the current weather temperature! It is voice-enabled and connects to Siri, so it’s great for training and tracking your overall fitness routines, whether it be on an e-bike or going for a jog.
3. Phone: IOS and Android

Komoot: Cycling, Walking MTB
1. Rating: 4.8/5 Stars
2. Overview: This app is great because it’s designed more specifically for navigating and finding the best trails for you. It includes turn-by-turn voice navigation so you can keep your eyes on the road at all times, offline maps to help you navigate your way around the best trails, and the ability to browse your community’s favorite trails. Overall, it’s great for route planning!
3. Phone: IOS and Android

Bicycle Ride Tracker: Bike Map
1. Ratings: 4.5/5 stars
2. Overview: This is a very accurate cycle computer that tracks how long you ride, how many miles, how many calories were burned, and what your top speed was.
3. Phone: IOS

5 Tips on How to Stay Motivated to Ride

Awesome Workout Apps. By using one of the previously mentioned apps, or another one, you can use it to set goals for yourself or challenge your stats against others.
Riding with a friend. Scheduling a ride with a friend or two is a great way to help the time pass quicker and make the experience more enjoyable! It’s also beneficial to have someone else to hold you accountable for your goals and push you to keep going. You can even challenge them to help challenge yourself.
Music. Listening to music can make any form of exercise better! You can create an upbeat or motivational workout/biking playlist to keep you pumping while you ride. Or listen to soft, meditative music while you cruise down a beautiful country road.
Podcasts. If you aren’t in the mood for music, you can also listen to a podcast. This helps keep your mind off of the workout and you can choose any topic to listen to! This could even be a podcast about e-biking.
Incentives. Give yourself incentives- Set a goal for you to reach, whether it be the duration of your ride, calories burned, or length traveled. When you reach it, treat yourself to a small scoop of frozen yogurt, a hot bath, or an extra half hour of relaxation time!

Little to no experience riding electric bikes? Here are 12 tips for beginners.

Conclusion

Getting an adequate amount of exercise every day is super important for your health. And sometimes it can be hard to stick to an awesome workout routine because of a lack of motivation, your job, family, or other personal issues. But you can get fitter without being miserable.

Riding electric bikes a few days a week for around 30 minutes each is a great way to benefit your health. I hope you’ll get serious and make time to see what electric bikes offer. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get fit and complete your daily exercise on an electric bike. Plus, you’ll feel great about your health and fitness when doing so consistently for a period of time.

Further, you don’t have to ride the best electric bike to get a break from your standard workout routine, fresh air, and have more fun!

What Are The Different Types of E-Bikes and Their Cost (Complete Guide)

Lisa Sylvester

April 24, 2021

There are so many types of e-bikes to choose from, each with a different price tag. To avoid making a bad investment in your e-bike purchase, it’s important to understand the different types of e-bikes that are available, as well as their associated costs.

The average cost to buy an e-bike is around $1600. The price of an individual e-bike, however, is strongly determined by its classification type, cost of parts and accessories, different uses and benefits, and ongoing care costs.

In this guide, I’ll break it all down so that you can get the real picture of the various costs involved in buying and owning an e-bike. Additionally, I’ll outline the differences between the five primary types of electric bikes and their costs.

What Are the Different Types of E-Bikes (Classification Guide)?

Electric bikes are classified into three different categories, based on their top speed and the type of assistance they provide. A pedal-assisted e-bike is one where the motor is only activated as you pedal, whereas a throttle-assisted e-bike can move the bike without you pedaling.

It’s important to know what class of e-bike you’re buying so that you can compare costs. Here’s a quick reference guide, based on general guidelines for each e-bike. Some states and countries have their own rules that differ, so it’s important to check the regulations for your own area.

Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
<20mph	<20mph	<28mph
Pedal Assist	Throttle Assist (+ pedal assist)	Pedal Assist
Any Age	Any Age	>17 Years
No helmet	Helmets under Age 18	Helmet

Keep in mind that the requirements for minimum age, as well as wearing a helmet, are officially regulated by individual states and may differ.

Class 1 Electric Bike

Class 1 e-bikes are known as ‘low-speed electric bicycles’ or ‘low-speed pedelecs’. A pedelec, short for ‘pedal electric cycle’, is a nickname given to e-bikes that have a motor that is only engaged when you pedal. This can be a pedal-assisted e-bike, but also some throttle-assisted e-bikes have this feature.

Low-speed e-bikes are only able to reach a speed of 20mph before the motor cuts out. This makes them pedelecs by nature.

Traditionally, this meant that the motor was activated as you started to pedal, but as I mentioned earlier, some manufacturers have included a throttle on their class 1 e-bike as well. To comply with the regulations, this throttle only works if you are pedaling the e-bike.

Class 2 Electric Bikes

Class 2 e-bikes are also low-speed electric bicycles but have a throttle, sometimes instead of pedal assistance. This means that the motor can be operated without the rider using the pedals, like a motorbike.

Silver RadRover 6 Plus E-Bike — RadRover 6 Plus Fat Tire Class 2

A class 2 e-bike still has to have functioning pedals to be classed as an e-bike; otherwise, it would be grouped together with small motor vehicles, such as the moped. This is a good regulation because if your battery runs out, you can still pedal the bike like you would on a normal bike.

Like class 1 e-bikes, these bikes are also capped at a top speed of 20mph. Once you have reached this limit, the motor won’t assist you to go any faster. However, you can go faster, up to 28mph by adding your own pedaling effort or by going downhill.

One downfall to throttle assist is that the e-bike battery is usually drained faster because people tend to rely too much on the throttle instead of their own pedaling. If the motor is pedal-assisted, the rider is forced to do some of the work, conserving battery life.

Class 3 E-Bikes

Also known as ‘speed pedelecs’, these bikes can reach a top speed of 28mph before the motor cuts out. Like class 1 e-bikes, they can only reach these speeds if the rider is pedaling. In general, they cost more because of their more powerful motor.

However, some manufacturers will also include a throttle assist in their class 3 models, with built-in technology that limits the speed to 20mph if the rider is not pedaling. This allows the bike to comply with regulations. Class 3 e-bikes must also have a speedometer.

Because of their higher speeds, class 3 electric bikes are more highly regulated. There is also more discrepancy in these regulations from state to state. In some states, you can’t ride a class 3 e-bike on a shared footpath or on a bike path that is not linked to a road. Other states will allow them to be ridden anywhere a class 1 or 2 electric bike can go.

So it’s important to check your state laws before choosing a class 3 e-bike, in case you won’t be allowed to ride where you had intended to.

Ride1Up Turris e-bike — My Class 3 Ride1Up Turris Step-Throug h

Read my full review of the Ride1Up LMT’D TORQUE-SENSING E-BIKE!

Why there’s an e-bike classification system

Because e-bikes became popular quite quickly, there weren’t many rules governing their use. This meant that you could potentially ride at high speeds along shared paths and bike lanes that were not achievable with a regular bicycle.

This raised safety concerns among the community about potential collisions at these speeds and inappropriate safety gear. For this reason, different countries adopted laws they deemed appropriate to limit how fast electric bikes could travel.

This meant regulated electric bikes could still have access to normal bike trails or shared paths and the rider wouldn’t require insurance or a special license to ride.

However, as I mentioned earlier, this is only true for class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Some places have enforced different rules for class 3 e-bikes and you aren’t able to ride where a normal bike could go.

Find out where you can ride legally in the USA.

Classification in countries outside the US

The above classification system was born in the USA. Other countries don’t refer as much to this classification system but have their own regulations. The most common e-bike regulations come from European legislation. Many countries adhere to this standard, including UK and Australia.

The main regulations for these countries include the following:

An e-bike must not exceed 15.5mph (25kmph)
The motor output must not exceed 250 watts
A throttle must not work independently of the pedals unless it is a start-up assist throttle (up to 6kmph)

Manufacturers get around this by installing speed limiters in the motors of electric bikes sold outside the USA.

However, if you do purchase an e-bike with a motor that assists you above 15.5mph, you can still use it, but it will be treated as a motor vehicle. This means that you and your e-bike are subject to the laws surrounding operating a motor vehicle. This can include the following.

You must hold a driver’s license
The e-bike must be registered
You must wear a crash helmet when riding (similar to a motorbike)

The Costs of an E-Bike (Broken Down)

E-bikes vary in price quite dramatically. In general, they can cost anywhere between $900 and $10,000. There are some electric bikes that can be purchased for less than this, but these are usually made from inferior materials. Those that are more than $5,000 tend to be your luxury models with the best of everything.

Here are a number of different factors that play a role in these great fluctuations in electric bike prices. I’ll discuss them in more detail further down.

Classification
Quality of the e-bike components
Materials used
Motor and battery power
Tire technology
Useful Accessories
Online and direct-to-customer
Manufacturing location

Green Aventon Sinch Folding E-Bike — Aventon Sinch 2 Step-Thru Folding e-bike

How Electric Bike Classifications Affect Costs for Different Types

The above classifications will affect the e-bike’s price because of the different components involved.

Class 3 e-bikes will generally be the most expensive because they use more powerful motors than class 1 or 2 e-bikes.

Class 1 or 2 costs can vary depending on the complexity of the design. Generally, a throttle-assisted e-bike will be cheaper because the technology is more simple than a pedal-assisted e-bike. But some class 2 electric bikes will have both a throttle and a pedal assist system, which can be more expensive than a class 1 e-bike.

Quality of E-Bike Components

Quality plays a large role in the price of an e-bike. There are a number of components to an e-bike that can be outsourced to different companies, including the battery, motor, drivetrain, brakes, and tires.

An e-bike manufacturer can choose to source the components from the same supplier, or can mix and match the components. There are benefits to both.

Having the same supplier means the components were designed to work together, but some brands may be good at one thing and not the other. For example, Bosch makes some of the best motors, but not necessarily the best drivetrain components.

With this in mind, manufacturers may choose varying suppliers to build their e-bikes to achieve a fine balance between quality and affordability.

They may also produce their own components. This can definitely bring the price down, but consumers will need to be convinced of their quality.

Below is a table of reputable brands in the industry for e-bike components. You can generally feel safe knowing you have quality parts on your bike if you stick with these manufacturers, but the price will go up because of the higher quality.

Quality Suppliers
Motors	Bosch Brose Shimano
Drivetrain Components	Shimano SRAM Rohloff
Tires	Schwalbe Maxxis Continental
Brakes	Shimano Magura SRAM

Other manufacturers not listed here are still good, such as Yamaha, but this list is mainly showing the most popular high-quality suppliers as a general guide.

Materials Used to Build Electric Bike

Similar to using quality components, the materials used in the e-bike can make a difference in the price.

For the frame, it is usually more desirable to use a lightweight material, but materials that are strong and lightweight are generally more expensive. Below are different materials used for bike frames, ordered from the cheapest to most expensive materials. The majority of e-bikes are made of aluminum.

Steel > Aluminium > Carbon > Titanium

For the seat and handles, there is the more expensive leather option or the cheaper plastics or foam materials that won’t last as long.

E-Bike Motor and Battery Power

Regardless of brands, the physical power of the motor and the battery make a difference to the price.

Most motors range from 250W to 1,000W motors. The more powerful motors will cost more. They’ll last about 10,000 miles but will cost on average $1,000-$2,000 to replace. For this reason, some people choose to buy a new e-bike when the motor dies.

The type of motor will also make a difference in the price. A mid-drive motor will be more expensive but is usually more energy efficient. A hub-drive motor, on the other hand, should be cheaper, but not as sophisticated, as the mid-drive.

Location of hub motor and battery on an electric bike

In terms of the battery, more powerful batteries are more expensive. They will last longer per charge and therefore get you further or allow you to use more of the motor when riding. However, this is sometimes undesirable, particularly in bikes where weight is an issue.

On average it costs $500-$800 to replace an e-bike battery, with these batteries lasting around 3 years. Some people might get 10 years out of their battery, depending on how often they use their bike. Every battery has a finite amount of recharge cycles and will die eventually.

Find out how to get longer usage of your battery with these 15 tips.

Tire Technology for Electric Bikes

Bike tires cost $30-$40 on average but can be as much as $100 depending on the style. The more expensive tires are generally electric mountain bike tires because they have to endure rougher conditions.

But technology makes a difference too. Some tires have the stock-standard tire tube that you can replace. Others are tubeless with Kevlar technology to prevent punctures. Obviously more sophisticated tires will cost you more.

Keep in mind that e-bike tires are generally replaced every 1-2 years. So finding a tire that is not likely to puncture before the tread becomes too worn is going to be the most cost-effective.

Electric Bike Accessories (not typically included)

Adding helpful accessories make a huge difference to the price, and it’s easy to get carried away by all the bells and whistles that are available.

Common e-bike accessories you might want are:

Helmet
Baskets
Racks
Clip-on bags
Lights
Side mirror(s)
Mudguard
Added suspension
Tools
Bell
Anti-theft system
Drink bottle holder
Spare battery
Bike Locks

And the list goes on. Every manufacturer is slightly different, but you’ll struggle to find an e-bike with a price that includes a lot of cool gadgets. Instead, they’ll likely include just a few to get your attention.

Check out our recommended gear and accessories

Online and Direct-to-Customer E-Bikes

Traditionally, bike manufacturers would produce a bike and sell that bike in a shop. These days, there’s also the option to sell the bikes online and send them straight from a warehouse to the customer.

This opens up a few options for manufacturers to sell their bikes.

Selling an e-bike online is the cheapest method available. However, this can sometimes make it harder to give customers the peace of mind that they’ll like the bike they are buying. This is why many online manufacturers will offer a trial period where the customer can return the e-bike if they don’t like it.

But the benefit in this situation is that the manufacturer can sell the e-bike for cheaper because they don’t have to pay for a shopfront.

This is exactly why buying a bike from a physical shop can make the prices rise. Either the manufacturer is paying for their own shop on a direct-to-customer basis, or they are paying to have their bike stocked in a general bike/sport shop.

Electric Bike Manufacturing Location

Where the bike is made also makes a difference to the price.

One obvious factor is shipping costs. If the bike is made in your own country, you may be eligible for free shipping, or could just go and pick the bike up yourself.

If it’s made in a different country, the shipping costs and taxes will filter down to the final price tag.

Check out the best brands for your money in the USA and UK.

What Are the Different Types of E-Bikes (and Their Cost)?

There are many different uses for an e-bike, which is why manufacturers have various options available, at different prices, to suit your needs. You can use any type of e-bike, but some will be equipped with features that’ll make things easier for you if you choose the right one. The most common types of e-bikes are as follows:

Cruisers
Mountain e-bikes (eMTB)
Electric Road bikes
Cargo e-bikes
Folding electric bikes

Cruiser E-Bikes

Average cost: $3,050

White vintage e-bike from the Electric Bike Company — Electric Bike Company Cruiser Model S

These electric bikes are designed to be comfortable and easy to ride. They can be used to get someone from point A to B, such as a commuter e-bike, or to go for a leisurely ride in the park.

This is why cruisers are usually fitted with some form of cargo provision, like a rear rack, and generally have cushioned seats that are upright. The frames can still be the traditional diamond shape, but many cruisers have a step-through frame to make them easier to mount.

Because cruiser e-bikes are not necessarily designed for speed and have more features that make the ride more comfortable, they tend to be quite heavy.

They’ll usually come with a wide variety of accessories and be customizable to suit your needs. The bike itself may not cost too much, but if you get lost in adding too many accessories, the price can add up quickly.

Electric Mountain Bikes

Average cost: $4,150

Woman standing next to Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike — Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike.

E-Mountain bikes, also known as eMTBs, are definitely built for adventure. They are designed to travel on any terrain, conquer hills and withstand jumps and sharp turns. Having motor assistance means you can get up the hills easier and ride back down faster.

Mountain bikes generally come with large thick wheels, allowing you to ride over rocks, sand, or mud without any issues. They have more suspension than other e-bikes so that the uneven terrain doesn’t cause too much of a jolt.

Unfortunately, e-MTBs are harder to handle than regular mountain bikes because of the heavy battery and motor weighing the bike down. But the added power means you can travel further than you can on a regular mountain bike, and climb hills that might’ve been too hard before.

Of all the electric bikes, e-mountain bikes tend to use the most battery power because of all the hills and rough surfaces. For this reason, they tend to require higher quality components, which is what drives the price higher.

Electric Road Bikes

Average cost: $4,750

White Ride1Up Roadster V2 E-Bike — One of the few high-quality affordable road e-bikes –Ride1Up Roadster V3

Road e-bikes are one of the newest developments in the e-biking world. They are designed to go long distances and to reach high speeds. This is achieved through lighter frames (with electric bikes as light as 25 lbs). They also tend to have the drop-bar handlebars that you may have seen on traditional road bikes. This means the rider can lean forward to create a more aerodynamic experience.

Unfortunately, the speed-limiting regulations for e-bikes mean that once you hit a speed of 28mph (or 15.5mph in Europe), you are left to pedal on your own. At this point, the battery and motor are of no benefit to you and just add weight to the bike. This is why some serious cyclists still prefer traditional road bikes.

The lightweight carbon frames and other materials are what make these e-bikes so expensive. It is very hard to make an e-bike light because of the battery and motor, so more effort and better technology is required.

Want more details on costs for the different types of e-bikes?

Cargo E-Bikes

Average cost: $3,300

RadRunner Plus E-Bike showing back seat option — RadRunner Plus has options for a back seat or full cargo rack

Cargo e-bikes are able to carry large loads, and usually have alternative shapes to accommodate this. They may have a large basket at the front or rear of the bike or a large low rear rack.

These are another type of e-bike that will offer a multitude of accessories. The bike itself is a decent price, but isn’t going to cause too much damage to your wallet. But if you want every accessory that’s offered, you may run into a large cost at the end.

They’re built to be sturdy, so most cargo bikes will have smaller fat tires. Some models may even have an extra wheel called a trike. They often have powerful motors to handle the bigger load that the bike can carry.

Unfortunately, because of their heavy load, these e-bikes will drain your battery a lot faster than a lightweight e-bike when fully loaded. If the manufacturer chooses to increase the range of the bike, this means a heavier battery must be used, further increasing the weight of the bike.

Common uses of a cargo bike are:

Transporting children
Shopping trips
Carrying work gear (laptops, bags, briefcase, etc.)
Deliveries

Folding E-Bikes

Average cost: $1,750

White, foldable e-bike with fat tires and a low step-thru that fits a small woman — Rad Power Bikes folding ebike with 20″ wheels

Wondering what are the different types of e-bikes that fold? Foldable e-bikes are designed to be compact and carried into confined spaces. They are usually the smallest of the electric bikes, even when unfolded, due to smaller tires. Some of them are lightweight, making them easier to carry. However, many are on the heavier side of electric bikes, especially those that are hybrid and travel over multiple terrains.

The lighter-weight ones are ideal for someone who uses public transportation, travels a lot, or is storing their electric bike in a small house.

Because their size and portability are a priority, these electric bikes can sometimes have inferior components such as smaller batteries, to reduce their weight and bulkiness.

Like cargo e-bikes, foldable e-bikes tend to have smaller tires, which may or may not have wider, “fat” tires. The frames may appear out of proportion because manufacturers need to find a balance between compact size and accommodating the height of an adult rider.

Get more details on the costs of a foldable e-bike in this article.

Running Costs of an E-Bike

As well as the up-front costs of an e-bike, there will also be ongoing running costs that you should consider. In saying that, an e-bike is still one of the cheapest “vehicles” to run.

First, you’ll use electricity to recharge your e-bike after every use. This is a tiny amount of money when you consider the cost of electricity and how much electricity is required to recharge the battery, but it is a factor and can still add up over time.

You’ll also need to service your e-bike to make sure it stays in working order and is safe to ride. Some people may choose to work on it themselves, but it’s still recommended to have a qualified technician look over it at least once a year. This is particularly important for the motor and other electrical components that are quite complicated.

On average, it costs around $150 to have your electric bike serviced, and it’s up to you how often this occurs. But, as I mentioned, you should do this at least once a year, or every 3-6 months if you are using the e-bike regularly.

Read the complete, step-by-step e-bike maintenance guide.

Overall running costs are estimated to be around $200 each year for the first three years, which then become more expensive as the bike ages. After three years, the average running costs jump to $518 per year.

This is because, as time goes on, you may also need to replace different components, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

Finally, you won’t want to forget about all of the gear you’ll need… or want… to make your e-bike as enjoyable, comfortable, and convenient as possible. There are at least seven things you absolutely need, but there are also many others. Check out E-Biking Today’s Recommended Gear List.

Conclusion

Overall, e-bikes can be a really good investment if they’re replacing other modes of transport such as driving a car. There are so many factors that contribute to the price which makes it easy to find bikes that are of good value.

I hope this article has helped in your understanding of the different types of e-bikes and how much they can cost.

Shipping Option	From	To	One-Way Cost
Bike Flights	Los Angeles, CA	Miami, FL	$143
Ship Bikes	Los Angeles, CA	Portland, OR	$102
Luggage Forward	Los Angeles, CA	Miami, FL	$189
FedEx	Los Angeles, CA	Seattle, WA	$119
Roadie (Gig Driving)	Nyack, NY	New York, NY	$96

E-BIKING TODAYElectric Bike News & Reviews

Electric Bike Reviews & NewsLIVE YOUR BEST LIFE E-BIKING... TODAY!

Electric Biking Speed: How Fast Is an E-Bike?

How does the terrain affect an e-bike’s speed?

Can electric bikes climb steep hills? (Uphill terrain)

How fast can an e-bike go downhill? (Downhill terrain)

Dirt and gravel paths

How does weather affect electric bike speed?

Riding an e-bike in the rain (will it slow you down?)

How fast can you ride an e-bike in the snow?

Can heat impact your electric bike’s speed?

How does cold weather reduce an e-bike’s speed?

Electric Bike Wattage (Compared!)

A comparison of electric bike wattage:

Why you should (or shouldn’t) buy a higher-watt electric bike

Dangers Of Riding Your 1000W Electric Bike Too Fast

Is it safe to ride my e-bike at the maximum speed?

Three-tier classification of electric bikes

How Much Does It Cost to Ship an Electric Bike?

Cost of Traditional Shipping Companies (UPS and FedEx)

E-Bike Special Handling Fee

Cost of Liability and Insurance

Electric Bike Shipping Services

How much does it cost to bring your electric bike on a plane?

How Much Does it Cost to Ship an E-Bike Battery Separately?

Can you ship an electric bike without the battery?

Packing and Preparing Your Electric Bike (Cheapest Way!)

Save money- Pack it yourself

Disassemble your e-bike

Find a cheap but sturdy e-bike shipping box

Pack it carefully

How to Ship an Electric Bike Overseas (International Costs)

Conclusion

Must-Have Electrical Accessories for E-Bike Enthusiasts

A Second E-Bike Battery: Your Hero in a Crisis

Charging Cable and Power Adapter: Because Duh

Lights, Camera… Visibility!

Smartphone Mounts: GPS and Go

Don’t Get Stranded: Carry Repair and Maintenance Tools

Tire Repair Kit + Mini Pump = Dynamic Duo

FAQ:

What are the most essential accessories for camping with my electric bike?

Can I use regular bike accessories, or do I need e-bike-specific ones?

What’s the best way to carry gear while riding?

Conclusion: Ready, Set, Ride

Why Rent an Electric Bike

Cost of Electric Bike Rental

Hourly electric bike rentals

Renting an electric bike for a full day

Weekly ebike rentals

Monthly electric bike rentals

Premium e-bike rentals

Leasing an electric bike and purchasing discounts

Additional electric bike rental costs

How to Rent an Electric Bike

What you need to rent an ebike

Questions you should ask the electric bike rental shop

Where to Rent An E-Bike

What Types of Electric Bikes Can You Rent?

Common electric bike models for rent

In Conclusion

What Are the Benefits of an Electric Bike for a Teen?

1. Cheaper than a car

2. Safer than driving a car

3. A 17-year-old can ride just about anywhere

4. Independence

5. Perfect fitness activity for a teen

How to Choose the Best Electric Bicycle for Your 17-Year-Old

– Consider the terrain that your teen is riding on.

-Will your teen ride to school or work?

– Consider how long your teen wants to ride each day.

– Do you want to encourage biking as a mode of transportation?

– What type of power assistance do you want your teen boy or girl to have?

Which Features Should You Consider When Buying an E-Bike for Your Teen Kid?

Best Electric Bikes for a 17-Year-Old

Best hybrid e-bike: The RadExpand

Best commuter/cargo e-bike: NAKTO 26″ Adult Electric Bicycle City

Best cruiser e-bike: Tower Beach Bum 2 Electric Cruiser

Best electric mountain bike: ANCHEER Electric Mountain Bike

To Sum Things Up