People seek information about buying an e-bike for a variety of reasons. Some have one or more health issues that make it difficult for them to pedal a traditional bicycle short or long distances or uphill. Some people can’t afford a motor vehicle for transportation to school or work or to run errands. Additionally, people often consider e-bikes more environmentally friendly than noisy cars, trucks and SUVs that burn fossil fuels and create toxic exhaust.
Whatever your reason for researching e-bike ownership options, this guide covers the most important things you need to know. Read on to learn more…
Initial Consideration: What Is Your Goal?
As with non-electric bikes, you need to first consider how you plan to use your e-bike. For example, most people would invest in different bikes for city and country environments. The amount of wear and tear you expect is another factor. For example, you might invest in a less expensive e-bike for more casual usage versus a more durable, higher-cost model for daily commutes, long-distance riding and off-road or trail usage.
Common types of e-bikes include commuters, cruisers, performance road, mountain, cargo and folding bikes. Each type has features developed specifically based on usage. For example, performance road bikes often guarantee faster speeds at longer distances while folding bikes offer better portability and storage.
Next-Step Considerations: Shopping Basics
Of course, once you mentally lock down your e-bike goals and research the available brands and models that fit a usage category, you need to consider the basics, including bike size, weight, battery capacity, motor type, class and price. For example, you might need a bigger battery for longer trips or more gears for hill, mountain and trail rides. You need to make certain the e-bike is the correct size for your height and weight and preferred methods of riding and storage.
E-bikes fall under three main classes of bike. With Class 1, an e-bike’s motor engages while you pedal until you reach 20 mph. Class 2 provides power up to 20 mph without use of the pedals. Lastly, Class 3 has a speedometer and provides power up to 28 mph.
These bikes also cost more than traditional bikes. According to Consumer Reports, e-bikes can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the brand, model, usage and extras. Better-than-average bikes usually cost more than $1,000, and the most liked and well-reviewed models can cost closer to $6,000.
To save the most money, you should consider a less expensive, like-new used bike or a custom one that includes any needed accessories and modifications. Other costs include items you would commonly buy with a standard bicycle, such as safety gear, a more comfortable seat, lights and reflectors, a bike bag and a water bottle.
Final Thoughts: What Else Do You Need to Consider?
E-bike laws vary based on geographic region. Some towns, cities and states might not allow you to use a Class 3 e-bike. Always check local and state laws before making a purchase. Additionally, it’s best to only buy an e-bike from someone who knows e-bikes, sells products tested and approved by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL), and offers extensive warranty and maintenance plans.
Many e-bike injuries in recent years have been the result of dealers selling bikes without considering rider age, size and weight or bikes with material and other defects. An expert can guide you toward brands and models that have fewer problems and risks. It’s also important to check online reviews of manufacturers and dealers. While picking the appropriate bike for you is an important step to avoiding injuries, you should also learn safe e-bike riding techniques and be sure to follow all traffic laws.
Lastly, you should always check for financial assistance through your county and state government agencies and local e-bike, environmental and other non-profits. Some agencies and organizations offer e-bike purchase assistance via grants, subsidies or rebates to people who come from low- and middle-class backgrounds.
