What Is A Battery Powered Bike?
A battery powered bike, also known as an e-bike, may be the ideal answer for those who enjoy cycling. It is a motor-assisted bike that works similarly to a traditional bike. However, it has the added features of a motor and a battery. This means that this type of bike does not require a lot of pedaling in order to move forward.
There are a wide range of reasons why a person may choose to ride a battery powered bike instead of a conventional one. For example, if they are traveling with a lot of cargo, it would be beneficial to have the additional power instead of having to use physical strength to power the bike.
People also choose to ride these bikes instead of driving vehicles to get from one location to another during their daily routines. Perhaps, with an electric hybrid bike, a person could commute to work. They could save money on fuel for a vehicle and they would not have to worry about showing up to their destination sweaty and out of breath.
Someone may be recovering from an illness or injury and a battery powered bike is exactly what they need so they can become mobile again. These types of bikes are also ideal for seniors who want to remain active without putting too much stress on their muscles and joints.
So, what exactly are battery powered bikes and how do they work?
Battery powered, or e-bikes, have gained popularity over the past decade and this has been proven by the sharp increase in sales between 2016 and 2018. According to market research, it is currently an industry that is worth over $75 million and it is not showing any signs that it is about to slowdown. In fact, in many areas around the world, the sales of battery powered bikes is surpassing the sales of traditional bikes.
Even though there are some people who view the increase in sales as a potential threat, battery powered bikes are not going to negatively impact a person’s human powered life. If anything, these bikes are designed to make life easier and more efficient.
As mentioned above, e-bikes are bicycles that have a battery powered ‘assist’. This assist comes by way of pedaling, and in some bikes, there is a throttle.
When a person pushes down on the pedals of a battery-powered bike, there is a small motor that becomes engaged. Once the motor is engaged, the bike receives a ‘boost’. This allows the rider to quickly zip up mountains and hills and easily cruise over rugged terrain without exhausting themselves.
These types of bikes are also referred to a ‘pedelecs’ and they do not feel any differently than conventional bikes. However, they are slightly better than conventional bikes. With battery powered bikes, a person is still able to control how quickly the bike moves with their feet, but the bike is more powerful and can accelerate quicker.
There are some e-bikes that also have a throttle. This throttle engages the motor when a button is pressed. These types of battery powered bikes belong to a different class of e-bikes that do not provide riders with a true cycling experience. In addition, they are also illegal in some jurisdictions.
There is an interesting note about throttle bikes. Some people who are not avid cyclists initially gravitate towards throttle bikes before they select a pedal assist e-bike for their next bike purchase.
The harder a cyclist pedals an e-bike, the larger the boost and the faster the bike will go. However, there is a limit to how fast these bikes can go.
Even though they may allow a cyclist to ride at a brisk clip, keep in mind, they are not motorcycles. These bikes will never travel down the road going 45 mph. The engine in these types of bikes is constructed so that the bike does not propel faster once it reaches speeds between 20 and 28 mph.
In other words, a person will be able to save time on their commute with an e-bike versus a conventional bike and still be able to enjoy the scenery along the way.
All of the major bike manufacturers, and many of the small ones as well, are jumping into the e-bike game. Automotive companies are also launching their own versions of battery powered bikes. With major transportation services and rideshare programs seeing such huge success with these types of bikes, e-bike sharing programs will continue to expand in major cities.