E-Bikes

E-Bike

The Advent of E-Bikes

The development of E-bikes – the technology improves with each new generation – has opened new possibilities for people who might not have ridden before. If your fitness level, or perhaps some medical condition, limits your ability to ride a bicycle, an e-bike could be the means to get you on the road, enjoying some exercise and fresh air. If you’re a commuter who’d like to ride, but don’t want to break a sweat in your work clothes, an e-bike – especially one that folds up – may be a perfect solution. Clean battery-based energy, no parking worries, and often no more travel time needed. Or, you may want that electric boost to take you longer and further on your leisure rides.

The distance you can travel varies based on the riders’ weight, hills, headwinds, and battery size. Some newer models are capable of ranges of 100+ miles, getting you to your destination quicker and in better shape. Urban dwellers all over the world are abandoning internal combustion vehicles in favor of e-bikes.

If you’re thinking about an e-bike, consider the three main categories.

Class 1 – Pedal-assist only, no throttle, and a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph

Class 2 – Throttle-assisted with a maximum speed of 20 mph

Class 3 – Pedal-assist only, no throttle, and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph

Some other useful resources for learning about e-bikes:

People for Bikes – Regulations

Electric Bike Reviews

Electrek

Bicycling – Best E-Bikes