Unlike other electric vehicles, electric bikes have one big advantage – you can take them anywhere you can take a normal pedal bike. This means you can cycle along a cycle lane, in a park (where cycling is permitted of course) and on roads. Just make sure you’re following all cycling and road rules and you stick to the speed limit – 15.5mph.
But because they can go almost anywhere, this makes them perfect for commuters, weekend cyclists or just anyone that wants to take a pedal but can use help getting up that hill. We’ve got many types of electric bikes. So, the only questions is… which electric bike is right for you?
The best electric bike for your age
Age is really just a number, so the type of electric bike you’re after really comes down to what you feel comfortable riding.
Younger riders might want to go for the very cool KNAAP Generation 1 Electric Bike. It’s a two-seater bike so can take you and a friend and its 20-inch wheels can handle some offroad action. Once fully charged, it has a range of 87 miles! Great for a road trip on two wheels. Its smart LCD display will tell you what speed you’re going and how much battery’s left.
Whether it’s the best women’s electric bike, the best electric bike for seniors or just for adults in general, UK-based company Pure Electric’s Pure Free Step might be a great option. It’s a comfortable steel-framed electric bike with a rack and basket that’s great for storage. It’ll do 28 miles on one charge, so ideal for commuting or popping to the shops in a weekly recharge cycle.
How much are e-bikes?
While electric bikes are considerably more expensive than standard bicycles, they do range in price. The best budget electric bikes can be had for around £500, particularly less powerful, foldable models – which are generally considered the best “cheap” electric bikes. More powerful electric bikes start at £1,000 and can get quite expensive – but are a good investment if you’re after something that will last you a long time.
Do electric bikes fold up?
Yes! One the great advantages of some e-bikes is that they’re light and foldable. These have generally been designed with commuting in mind. Cycle to your nearest station, fold up your bike to fit on the busy train, then simply unfold on the other side and finish the journey to work!
The best folding electric bikes are lightweight, with a decent range (so you won’t have to charge it after each ride) and a small profile once folded down – look for small wheels to help this. Also look for front and rear disc brakes, which make the bikes very safe to ride through changing traffic conditions. Because they’re so easy to get around, folding electric bikes can be some of the best electric bikes under £1000.
How many hours does an electric bike battery last?
E-bike batteries will last depending on how far they’re ridden – which is generally known as an e-bike’s range. Electric bike range is measured in how many miles it can go on one charge. And bike range depends on the model of the bike – with some bikes being able to get to nearly 90 miles on one charge! To put an hours number on it, that means you could go at 15 miles an hour for 6 hours - which may be an unlikely scenario for day to day use - but maybe useful to think about if you’re planning a cross-country ride.
Of course, there are loads of factors that affect the range of a bike. Ride in a power that uses a lot of power, and it’ll obviously drain faster. Ditto going off road, going fast or uphill, cycling with a heavy load, plus braking and accelerating a lot. It’s just like the mileage of a car.
Need more advice?
Want to find out more about electric bikes? Why not talk to an expert on ShopLive?