Buzz
The first time I came across electric bikes, they seemed like a brilliant innovation. They offer a quick commute without relying on public transport, a chance to exercise without breaking a sweat, and a way to travel without the cost of fuel. As someone who had previously given up on bike commuting due to a steep hill that stood between my home and the office, I was curious if electric bikes could be the solution. I decided to give it a try.
The Three Types of Electric Bikes
Let’s start by clarifying the basics. An electric bike, or e-bike, is essentially any bike equipped with an electric motor. There are three primary categories of e-bikes.
Pedal-assist bikes, or “pedelecs”: These bikes provide electric assistance only when you pedal. In the United States, they are capped at 20mph and are powered by motors with a maximum of 750 watts. Legally, they are considered bicycles.
Power-on-demand bikes: With these bikes, the electric motor can be activated either by pedaling or using a throttle (like a button or twist grip). These bikes share the same speed and power limits as Class 1, but since pedaling is not mandatory, these bikes may face stricter regulations than pedal-assist models depending on your location.
Speed pedelecs: Much like standard pedelecs, speed pedelecs assist with pedaling, but they can reach speeds of up to 28mph. In certain states, speed pedelecs are classified as mopeds, requiring a special license and registration. Additionally, these bikes are often not allowed in bike lanes.
I tested two Class 1 electric bikes over several months. During my trials, New York City, where I live, legalized pedal-assist bikes, and they were soon incorporated into the city’s bike share program. However, Class 2 ebikes remain illegal in NYC, a situation that has sparked considerable debate. The main issue is that many throttle bike users are delivery workers who rely on the speed of ebikes to quickly deliver meals and packages through services like Seamless, Postmates, Prime Now, and other on-demand platforms.
The Benefits of Ebikes
They’re a blast
Have you ever had that dream where you’re climbing a mountain or jogging, and suddenly, the effort just disappears? A breeze picks up from behind, effortlessly carrying you forward—you feel like you could keep going forever, and what seemed impossible now feels easy. (We’ve all had that dream, haven’t we?) Well, riding with pedal assist is like living that dream. You’re pedaling along, and when a hill comes into view, you start working harder. But then, like an invisible force, the pedal assist activates and you find yourself gliding up the slope. It’s still you pedaling, but now you’ve got a little extra push. It’s incredibly thrilling.
It’s really possible to bike to work without working up a sweat
I sweat easily, so even with the assistance of an electric motor, I typically arrive at work with a visible sheen of sweat (or more, depending on the humidity). However, cyclists who sweat less, or those who can control the urge to push too hard in 90-degree heat, can arrive looking as fresh as if they’d taken public transportation. On the few days this summer when temperatures fell below 80°F, I was able to ride the four miles to work (which included a sizable hill) without breaking a sweat.
You can save money
The average price of a new car is around $36,000, while the average cost of a used car exceeds $19,000. The ebikes I tested were priced around $3,000, which is typical. Is that expensive for a bike? Absolutely. But if you use a car primarily for short trips, like the 'last mile' between the train station and your home, or for weekend errands, an ebike can be a more cost-effective alternative. When you consider the price of gas (~$2.80/gallon) or the monthly public transportation fee ($121 in NYC), the bike starts to look like a better deal, provided you don’t let it collect dust in your garage.
You could reduce your carbon footprint
There are several studies comparing the environmental impact of an ebike versus a regular bike or a car. I came across one study that claims a regular bike produces 8.5 times more carbon emissions than an ebike, which seems a bit far-fetched, but is still intriguing. My takeaway is that the environmental benefits of using one form of transportation over another aren’t entirely clear-cut, but it’s important to consider the overall energy consumption and environmental impact when deciding whether to purchase anything. The metals in your bike or car, and the cobalt in your bike’s (or Prius’s) lithium-ion battery, all come from mines. It’s not as simple as saying 'cars pollute, bikes don’t.'
You get exercise
While it may not provide the same intense workout as a regular bicycle, riding an electric bike still offers more exercise than driving a car or taking public transit. One well-known study claims that you burn about 20% fewer calories with electric assistance compared to a traditional bike. For instance, I burn around 100-150 calories on my commute with a low pedal assist throughout, which may not be a lot, but it's certainly more than sitting in a car.
You save time
I spend 25-35 minutes commuting by subway, but on an ebike, my trip is a quick 20 minutes. If your city offers solid cycling routes, an ebike could help you avoid the frustrations of rush-hour traffic or crowded subway rides.
You get out more
If burning calories is your goal, a traditional bike is the clear winner. This was a major consideration for me when I was contemplating an ebike purchase: using my regular commuter bike would certainly give me more exercise without the hefty price tag. However, the reality is, I don’t use my commuter bike all that often—I rarely ride it at all. Before heading out, I weigh factors like how far my destination is, how challenging the terrain might be, how sweaty and exhausted I’ll feel when I arrive, and whether I’ll have the energy to make the return trip. Most of the time, I end up taking public transportation instead.
With an ebike, those considerations fade away. I’ve been able to explore new neighborhoods by checking out farmers’ markets, zip over to see friends living in more remote areas, and even volunteered to grab a forgotten grocery item at the store—because the ride itself is simply enjoyable.
You gain confidence
Steep hills that used to be a slow struggle on my regular bike are now a breeze with the help of electric assistance. When I’m riding with others, I can keep up with the pack if I choose to. This has been a big deal for me—I’m not particularly athletic and prefer to exercise alone to avoid the awkwardness of being the last person picked for kickball during school recess. Thanks to the pedal assist, I’m able to push aside those worries about not being fast enough and instead focus on the wind in my hair, the beautiful surroundings, and the pure joy of cycling.
The Cons of Ebikes
They’re not cheap
Even when you compare the costs of an ebike to owning a car, it’s still a bike that costs many times more than a basic Schwinn. On top of that, you have to account for the added expenses of insurance, a quality lock, lights, a helmet, and other accessories, which makes the total cost pretty steep. So, the question remains: will you ride this bike enough to make it worth the price?
They’re heavy
The lightest pedal-assist bike I came across weighs about 40 pounds, not counting things like baskets, racks, locks, or other extras. This means it’s not the kind of bike you can easily throw over your shoulder and carry up several flights of stairs.
You need a safe, climate-controlled place to store the bike
These bikes are prime targets for thieves. Depending on where you live, you’ll need a very strong bike lock (or two) and a secure spot to store the bike. I live in a small New York City apartment, so storing it indoors isn’t an option for me. I’ve been keeping the bikes I’ve tested in my building’s basement, but that’s not a solution available to everyone. In the past, I’ve locked my old road bikes to signposts during harsh northeastern winters, but that’s definitely not something I’d consider for a bike as expensive as this one.
You need a place to charge the bike
You’ll need to plug the bike in to charge it, which means finding a garage, an outdoor outlet, or an indoor location where you can easily wheel the bike to recharge every couple of days. For those living in a house, this isn’t usually an issue, but for city dwellers, it’s something to think about.
Batteries have drawbacks
The battery on an ebike typically lasts between 10 and 60 miles on a single charge, depending on several factors. You can keep riding beyond the battery’s capacity, but you’ll be without pedal assist. Some bikes offer additional batteries that you can swap out as needed, but you still won’t have the range or speed you would have in a car. Additionally, ebike batteries need to be replaced after a certain number of charges, adding yet another recurring cost to the bike’s overall price.
The laws governing ebikes differ by state
As ebikes grow in popularity, states are devising laws regarding rider age, bike classification, helmet requirements, licensure and which types of ebikes are permitted on bicycle paths. Check your state’s requirements.
People might hate you
Ebikes are zippier and faster than regular bikes. That rider huffing and puffing up the hill who you pass effortlessly with a carefree wave can be forgiven for despising you. To him, you’re a cheater. To others, you’re a menace. An ebiker weaving through the bike lane at 20mph is going to disrupt the flow of traffic, surprising fellow riders and, if the e-cyclist is not cautious, potentially causing accidents. So ebikers need to be extra-considerate of other cyclists. If you’re riding in a pack of commuters going average speed, it’s not acceptable to tailgate, nor is it okay to swerve into traffic to pass everyone.
You might hate yourself
I’m serious here. If you’re accustomed to a regular bike, you might feel like using an ebike is a form of cheating. Cycling isn't just a mode of transportation—it’s a workout. A tough ride feels rewarding because you’ve powered through it on your own. But when you zoom past other cyclists struggling to keep up, you might experience a sense of guilt, like a wealthy kid whose father bought their way into college.
For me, the mental adjustment of relying on assistance has been hard to reconcile with my self-image as someone who achieves goals through hard work. A life hack, by definition, is a shortcut to a goal—it gets you there with less stress, time, or effort. Riding an ebike has made me reflect on the complexities of life hacks: sure, it’s quicker and less strenuous than riding a regular bike, but does that make it less valuable? Is there merit in enduring some struggle to reach a goal? Do we appreciate things more when we’ve worked for them? Should we embrace the journey, even if it takes longer, without seeking shortcuts?
For now, the benefits of ebikes outweigh the downsides for me—I’m all in. I’ve made a pact with myself to only use the electric assist when I really need it, like for tackling a steep hill or speeding through my commute. When I’m on leisurely rides, I’ll turn the assist off and use the bike for exercise, taking it slow. Unlike mopeds or scooters, using the electric power on an ebike is optional. It’s up to you to decide when to take the shortcut and when to just enjoy the ride.
