The simple answer is that an electric bike (e-bike for short) is more or less a regular bike with the addition of a motor to assist your progress.
The more complicated answer is that it is a hybrid form of transport meaning part of the power comes from the rider (exactly how much is up to you) and part of it from the motor. This applies up to around 15.5mph which is the current legal limit for electric assistance. Once you are pedalling beyond that speed the motor will not assist you.
You might also hear e-bikes called pedelecs. This is simply another name for e-bikes where the power is activated on pedalling instead of by throttle. The vast majority of today’s e-bikes are pedelecs – so clearly they are not really similar to mopeds or motorbikes as you must pedal to activate the motor (added to which, e-bike motors are much less powerful than moped motors).
E-bikes are capable of doing just about everything a regular bike can do and more. So it may be you can extend what can be achieved through cycling, whether it be touring, leisure riding or daily commuting and chores, and gain a whole new experience in the process. Even e-bike sceptics often come back with a smile on their faces and appreciative words once they have actually been persuaded to step astride an assisted machine.
E-bikes are are also in a very privileged position legally speaking, as under the relevant European law (now applying in the UK – technically speaking ‘harmonised’ with UK law) they are in exactly the same legal position as non-powered bikes, so they bring all the well-known advantages of bikes but without any of the red tape normally associated with motor power.
As well as the obvious benefits of a motor – helping you get up the hills more easily and with less sweat – there are several other benefits that might not at first occur to you.
There are downsides compared to regular bikes; extra weight is the most obvious (although newer systems just emerging promise lighter e-bikes in the future). Until recently, a sub-20kg machine (including battery) was considered fairly light, but, writing in 2021, around 15kg is now the real measure of whether an e-bike is truly light or not. New, high quality lighter motor systems from the likes of Fazua and Mahle are helping drive weight down.
Modern motors are generally very reliable but today’s batteries should really be regarded as consumables if you plan to ride your e-bike a lot and keep it many years. They inevitably degrade slightly with time and more so with heavy use (and much more so with abuse), with a likely replacement cost of several hundred pounds. A good quality e-bike is a sizeable investment – but is that really a downside if you use it to its maximum potential, which is considerable?
Having just given a battery warning it has to be said that batteries, once the real Achilles heel of e-bikes, are now pretty much ‘fit and forget’ for a good number of years on good quality machines, as long as you look after them with a modicum of care. It’s just that, ultimately, they will need replacing. By contrast a good motor may well outlast you.
The other big development of recent years has been something of a motor power arms race between the major motor manufacturers such as Bosch, Brose, Shimano and Yamaha. Motors on e-bikes are legally limited to a maximum of 250 watts ‘continuous power’. This is a scientifically hazy definition and the peak powers of today’s motors reach many times this (for brief periods only). In practice this means quicker hill climbing and better acceleration.
Perhaps more helpful are the % assist settings on motors which are normally detailed in the bike spec. A lowest power setting can add around 40% of your pedal effort whilst on the most powerful motors top settings more than triple your own power input at the pedals!
However, don’t run away with the idea that today’s motors come anywhere close to those found on even fairly modest mopeds in terms of horsepower. Power delivery on the best quality electric bikes, usually delivered via a clever device called a torque sensor is smooth and seamless. Modern e-bike motor power is felt most in terms of quick acceleration up to the legal assisted limit of 15.5mph.
There are as many variations of e-bike as there are regular bike – or possibly more. Here are a few examples of the various genres, but there is a vast range out there to choose from:
Probably the most popular class as they are suitable for a variety of uses including commuting, leisure rides and daily chores.
Gazelle produce a nice range of ‘sit up and beg’ e-bikes as you might expect of one of Holland’s best known manufacturers of quality bikes. Their Bloom range has all the typical features of a Dutch town bike par excellence; rear and front racks for plenty of carrying ability, low step-thru height and fully enclosed chain plus up-to-date tech such as hydraulic disk brakes and the option Enviolo stepless hub gears.
No special clothing or ‘extras’ needed, just get on and ride.
Kalkhoff make some of the most stylish commuters. Their Image range might be termed a modern sports commuter with a frame integrated battery on the higher spec models and a crank motor that blends nicely into the bike’s frame lines.
Of course, there is a huge variety of commuting e-bikes as just about all the quality e-bike makers have city and commuting versions.