How fast can an electric bike go?

In the UK an electric bike has to stop providing assistance at 25kph (15mph)! Above that speed, you’re required to pedal by yourself! Remember, if you can push it beyond that speed by your own pedal power, nothing to stop you from going faster. Make sure you’re fully in control. an E-Bike will most likely have additional which impacts your stopping distance. 

We can supply E-bikes that travel faster with more powerful motors, but these are legally considered to be mopeds and we can walk you through the licencing requirements. In the UK it will need a licence and insurance, and you must wear a helmet and have paid relevant vehicle taxes! 

Do I have to pedal to get assistance on my electric bike?

Yes! The key thing is to remember it assists your pedalling rather than taking over completely. This is the technicality…if you don’t need to pedal, it’s classified as a moped and will therefore have legal implications.

The electric bike motors are very smart! The output will be regulated to match your effort, so it doesn’t take over and provides power in a measured way to reflect how you are riding. You will usually have a few levels of assistance for how much support you need, like eco, tour, sport and turbo, which states how much extra effort the motor provides.

As it reduces the required effort you should be able to keep up a reasonable pace without working up a sweat, meaning that you won’t arrive at the office a damp mess if you’re commuting. However, if you need a workout or want to go longer you can choose less assistance.

Should E-Bikes be considered ‘cheating’ or motorcycles?

For most electric bike riders, the extra assistance provided by the motor isn’t going to turn them into pro-level performers. Instead, it will make riding a bike more enjoyable, letting them ride further and helping out on hills when needed. 

Many riders will want to use their electric bikes for shopping or commuting, where lowering the effort level needed to carry loads or for starts from traffic lights will make for a more comfortable (and less sweaty) experience. Others may want to ride with friends who are fitter than them, and an E-Bike will you keep up better.

Assistance is limited to power of 25kph (15mph) maximum speed, so an E-Bike won’t have the performance of a moped or motorcycle, so they are treated differently.

How can I secure my E-Bike?

You need to take all the precautions you would to keep a standard bike safe, which include a sturdy lock (ideally a gold rated) through your wheels and frame and attached to an immovable object. Given the value of most E-Bikes, you should store your E-Bike somewhere secure.

We also support systems that are a companion mobile phone app that lets you track where your bike is and may detect unauthorised movement too.

Any model with a removable battery will include a lock and key to secure it to the frame. 

As E-Bikes are high value they will be attractive to thieves, so follow our 3 rules:

1: Invest in a good lock

2: Be careful where you lock it

3: Get insurance.

Are electric bikes heavier than normal bikes?

An electric bike will have a motor and a battery and will generally make it heavier than a standard bike. They are likely to be built more substantially to handle the extra power.

While electric bike technology is developing fast, and bikes become lighter an electric bike will typically be at least several kilos heavier than a standard bike. Remember, you have the motor and battery and the assistance they provide.

What is the lifespan of an electric bike battery and can E-Bike batteries be recycled?

Lithium-ion batteries can be charged and discharged hundreds of times with no degradation in performance. 

Over longer periods, an E-Bike battery may lose a bit of capacity, which could reduce range, but for most users’ that’s not likely to make a significant difference. 

There’s an emerging recycling industry and with their larger capacity, electric bike batteries are a more attractive proposition for recyclers now.