Is an Electric Bike Right for You?

What you need to know about choosing an e-bike

By Benjamin Preston

Electric bikes have great versatility and appeal, as evidenced by their popularity. They can help people who might otherwise feel discouraged about riding by extending their capability to travel longer distances and ascend hills. Plus, an electric bike can just be great fun. But they can also be expensive. If you’re considering buying an electric bike, we can help you determine if one is right for you.

Getting Started

The first step in buying an electric bike, commonly known as an e-bike, is to consider how you intend to use it. Eleven percent of Americans have ridden an e-bike over the past year, according to a nationally representative survey conducted by CR of 2,035 U.S. adults (February 2024). The survey also found that, among those who had ridden an e-bike or an e-scooter in the past year, fun and leisure activities were reasons 71 percent chose to ride.

E-bike ownership continues to grow. According to Statista, a global data company, they made up just 1.3 percent of all U.S. bicycle sales in 2020 but grew to 4.9 percent in 2024. They’re projected to make up 7.2 percent of sales this year and 10.5 percent in 2028.

There are almost as many types of electric bikes as there are pedal-powered bicycles, and many of them do specific things very well. A big factor in your decision will be where you live, because climate, the presence (or lack) of bike lanes, how far you want to ride on a regular basis, and how your locale classifies and regulates e-bikes will affect how you can use one.

More than half of U.S. states recognize e-bikes as a type of bicycle, depending on how fast they go and how power is applied (for example, through the pedals or a hand control). But a few states treat electric bikes like other motorized vehicles and require riders to have an operator’s license to use one on public roads, depending on the type, or have areas where e-bikes are banned.

Class 1 covers pedal-assist bikes, which power an electric motor as your foot applies pressure to the pedal. There’s no throttle to get the bike going; the electric part works only when the rider is pedaling, and the e-assist cuts off at speeds above 20 mph. (It’s possible to get even conventional bicycles moving faster than that down a steep hill.)

Class 2 bikes also have an electric motor that works up to 20 mph, either while the rider is pedaling (pedal assist) or with electric propulsion alone via throttle control.

Class 3 limits an electric bike’s pedal assist to 28 mph and requires a speedometer.

Where you can ride an e-bike varies, so it’s best to check local regulations before using one on a bike-only trail. (Powered bicycles could be prohibited.) It’s also strongly recommended that you wear a helmet even if the locale doesn’t require it.

There are also more powerful electric bikes that are supposed to be ridden only in designated off-road areas. They can look like bicycles but they function more like motorcycles. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll focus on the three classes that most resemble a conventional bicycle.

Why Buy an Electric Bike?

After talking to experts and riders, we found that the main reasons people buy electric bikes are for commuting, recreation, and hauling light cargo. Some urban and suburban commuters who rode bikes to avoid using public transportation during the pandemic have kept up with it. And, of course, cycling can also be great for exercise and recreation, even with help from an electric motor.

Performance road bikes prioritize speed, aerodynamics, and lightweight construction. Electrification helps riders on steep hills or when riding into headwinds.

Photo: Trek

“There’s no one demographic that rides an e-bike,” says Sarah Johnson, a cycling expert and advocate who used to own a bicycle shop in Omaha, Neb., that sold electric bikes. “It’s young people who don’t want a car. It’s older people who want a little help so they can still ride a bike. It’s commuters who don’t want to get all sweaty on the way to work.”

Electric Bike Pricing

Prices for e-bikes range from less than $500 to thousands of dollars. For most consumers, the higher end of the scale will be about $6,000 to $7,000. But the top-rated bikes in our ratings are typically in the $2,000 to $3,000 range, with some variation based on the type of bike.

Those prices are likely to increase with the tariffs and reciprocal tariffs the Trump administration has levied on countries such as China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan. They export a significant number of bicycles and parts to the U.S.

Electric bicycles come in a variety of styles to serve different needs, including carrying passengers.

Photo: Rad Power Bikes

Micah Toll, who digs into the particulars of electric bikes and other battery-powered personal transportation for Electrek, says it’s important for e-bike shoppers to consider their budget.

He advises them to avoid the very low end of the electric bike range, where cheaper components can affect the overall quality. He also says first-time buyers might want to avoid the most expensive models to give themselves time to figure out whether or not they like riding an e-bike. Although there are many options in every price range as the number of e-bikes continues to grow, he says that $1,500 is generally a sweet spot in terms of price. You might find cheaper alternatives from no-name manufacturers that pop up on Amazon and in other places, but quality e-bikes tend to start in the $1,500 to $2,000 range. That price is before any tariff penalties are added.

“There are more players than ever in the industry, and the options have really expanded on both the low and high ends of the market,” Toll says. “Manufacturers are making good-quality bikes but aren’t using top-shelf components. It’s a good balance for people who don’t want to spend a fortune but also don’t want the bike to fall apart after a year or two.”

Commuter Electric Bikes

Commuter bikes come in a variety of styles but are meant to serve as practical transportation. For many consumers, e-bikes represent a much more cost-effective alternative to expensive, fossil-fuel-dependent automobiles—or, at the very least, a way to reduce the number of cars in the driveway. Many people like the fact that they can commute on an electric bike without getting too sweaty on the way to work and that they aren’t as likely to get stuck in grinding car traffic.

Commuter bikes provide easy service as daily transportation and reduce the chance of getting too sweaty while biking to work.

Photo: Rad Power Bikes

Steve Volkers, who lives in suburban Maryland and commutes several miles over rolling hills, says he actually gets to work a little faster on his electric bike because he doesn’t have to sit in snarled traffic in the Washington, D.C., area.

Glen Mayenschein, who works several miles from his home in northern New Jersey, has been commuting exclusively by bicycle for 20 years, and, at age 62, decided to buy an electric bike.

“I have a bad knee, so I figured I’d make it easier on myself and get an electric bike,” he says, noting that he rides a hilly route to and from work. “I like riding a bike, and I still ride regular ones from time to time, but now I mostly ride the electric one.”

Commuter bikes vary. City dwellers may be used to seeing narrow tires and straight handlebars. Routes with unpaved sections may be frequented by beefier models with fat tires and thicker frames.

Experts say fat-tire bikes—which can be difficult to get going on pedal power alone—are gaining in popularity as electric versions have become more widely available. There are also folding electric bikes that are easier to stow in a tight storage area or on a train or bus.

Recreational Electric Bikes

According to Circana, an analytics and technology company, the bulk of the pandemic bicycle sales boom was for enthusiast bicycles like road and mountain bikes. Road and mountain biking were already popular recreational activities, and the addition of electric motors expanded their appeal.

Cruiser bikes are designed for comfort.

Photo: Trek Bicycle

As with conventional bicycles, there are several types of e-bikes, each with a special purpose. They can be built to ride on mountain or forest trails, take long rides on the open road, or cruise around at a leisurely pace near home. Conventional cycling purists may knock electric bikes because of the greater ease of pedaling, but some converts have told us they love them.

The extra boost from a battery and an electric motor has also opened up cycling to people who might not otherwise have been able to ride. Sarah Johnson, the Omaha cycling advocate, says she faced having to give up cycling when medical problems made it difficult for her to pedal a conventional bicycle.

“I used to be an e-bike hater, but when I realized that it was e-bike or no riding, I realized how great they are,” she says. “I’m feeling better, but I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of my e-bike.”

Performance Road BikesThe defining characteristics of a road bike are usually a lightweight frame, slick tires, and drop-down handlebars that help the rider maintain an aerodynamic riding position. It’s not unusual to see a cluster of bright-shirted cyclists pedaling furiously down a bike trail or along the side of the road on these lightweight speed machines.

Like their pedal-powered counterparts, electric road bikes feature slim, light components and require an aerodynamic riding position, both meant to increase efficiency over long distances. The assistance offered by an electric motor makes it possible to cover longer distances, handle steep grades, or pedal into headwinds with less of the fatigue associated with conventional bicycles.

Even though they’re fast and relatively light, performance bikes aren’t for everyone. In most cases, the aggressive, hunched-over riding position can be uncomfortable for some riders.

Mountain BikesWith thicker frames, bigger tires, and sometimes long-travel suspension components, mountain bikes are built to handle trails, large rocks, logs, and other rough terrain and obstacles. A spin through mountain bike racing videos on the internet reveals that their riders sometimes expect the bikes to handle much more than that—big air jumps and rough terrain, among other demands.

The most fun part of mountain biking is the fast, downhill portion. But getting there usually involves a demanding pedal up steep grades on loose terrain. Adding an electric motor to a mountain bike makes a lot of sense for someone who wants to experience the thrill of downhill riding, but may not have the fitness to handle the grueling uphill slog.

Because of the increased weight and rolling resistance that comes with their beefy wheels and tires, pedaling bikes with large wheels and tires can be exhausting. Electric power makes these kinds of bikes much more appealing simply because it’s possible to do more riding in a day. But electric mountain bikes aren’t permitted on some trails, so be sure to check state and local regulations. Also, as CR’s testers found, it’s important to buy an electric mountain bike with brakes that can handle the extra weight of the battery and electric motor.

Hybrids and CruisersHybrids offer a combination of road bike efficiency and the more upright riding position and straight handlebars preferred by mountain bikers and commuters. This type of bicycle can be a good all-around setup for anyone seeking the best of both worlds.

Cruisers offer a relaxed, comfortable, upright seating position and often a softer ride because of bigger tires and cushier seats. Look for swooping handlebars that keep your arms at a relaxed distance from your body. The addition of an electric motor to either of these configurations makes it possible to use a thicker frame and wider tires to soak up bumps in the road. Volkers, the Maryland commuter, bought this type of e-bike because he can ride it on light off-road trails and paved roads with ease.

Cargo Electric Bikes

Cargo bikes are built to haul cargo and extra passengers. With strong frames, fatter tires, and robust components, they’re the industrial beasts of the two-wheeled world. Pedal-powered cargo bikes have been around for a while and can be configured with rear-mounted seats, cargo racks, or front-end cargo boxes supported by one or two wheels. Bicycle taxis can also be included in this group. Those two-wheeled models are popular for urban delivery services and ferrying children.

Adding electric power to a frame designed to haul heavier loads offers an obvious advantage, and electric propulsion can be a game changer for anyone who wants to use a bicycle as an alternative to a car to run errands and carry large loads of groceries, packages, or passengers. E-bikes—although not necessarily the heavy-duty cargo variety—are also popular among food delivery riders.

Folding Electric Bikes

Think of the folding bike as a more portable version of the commuter bike. They usually have smaller wheels and long handlebar stems and seat posts, as well as hinged frames and other parts that allow the bike to be folded into a more compact shape. This type of bike might be appealing to someone who needs a bicycle but has to pack it into a car’s trunk or take it on a bus or train, or has limited storage space at home. There are several folding electric models on the market, but it’s worth noting that the ones with the most powerful motors tend to be heavier and therefore, more difficult to fold, carry, and stow. That said, CR tested a model that offered a bit of e-assist in a lightweight package that folded very small for easy packing or storage. (See CR’s roundup of the best folding bikes.)

Electric Bike Safety Considerations

E-bikes can travel at speeds similar to conventional bicycles and carry the same safety risks. But models that can travel at 20 mph or more add another level of risk to the equation.

Higher speeds mean you have less time to slow down or stop. Whether riding a bicycle or a motorcycle, the results of even low-speed crashes—especially when cars and trucks are involved—can be painful and even fatal. A 2019 study in the journal Injury Prevention found—based on an examination of emergency room records—that electric bike riders were more likely to suffer internal injuries than those riding conventional bicycles.

The easiest and most obvious way to avoid a serious head injury is to wear a bicycle helmet. A 2007 review of bicycle helmet research published in the journal Injury Prevention found that wearing a helmet could reduce the chance of serious head injury by 63 to 88 percent. In addition, a 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that there were almost 600,000 emergency department visits for bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) between 2009 and 2018. Wearing bright clothing and adhering to traffic laws can also help.

Another important safety factor for cycling is the availability of dedicated—and specially protected—bicycle lanes. If you must ride on the road with cars, take into account the prevailing speed and flow of traffic. Motorists may be distracted or driving too fast to see cyclists.

There are aftermarket devices that can be added to any bicycle with features similar to those in the active driver assistance systems (ADAS) found on cars and trucks. They include blind spot warning and crash detection.

There hasn’t been much academic study yet about the injury risks to children posed by the newest electric bikes, but it’s best to exercise extreme caution when addressing the needs of new or inexperienced cyclists. As anyone who fell off a bicycle when they were young can recall, even low-speed crashes and tip-overs can result in injury.

If you end up having to replace the battery for some reason, use only a UL-listed battery approved by the bike’s manufacturer. Try to charge in a place where you can see the bike, and don’t charge e-bikes in sleeping areas or where they can block entry or egress to a room or building.

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