Have you had enough of your daily commute?

We all know how stressful it can be during your bus ride to work. Traffic jams are a regular occurrence that could be made even worse by the bus breaking down. So, are you ready to break out of your comfort zone and try something new?

Due to the pandemic, we are now seeing a so-called “biking boom.” Because of health protocols and travel restrictions, people are experiencing renewed interest in biking, as sales data suggest. More people have been skipping the train in favour of riding a bike to work.

Aside from the traditional bicycles, the electric bicycle or “e-bike” is emerging as another popular option for commuters. They’re fast, lightweight, and sleek. According to The New York Times, e-bike sales have already surpassed that of regular bikes.

So, you might be asking yourself, “How much does an electric bike cost?”

Continue reading to explore what electric bikes are, how much they cost, and if it’s worth it to buy yourself one.

What Is an Electric Bike?

Electric bikes look and feel like your ordinary bicycle, except for one small detail. They are powered by an electric motor that is paired with a battery. The addition of the electric motor could mean an entire world of difference for the casual rider.

Pedal assist is a common feature among electric bikes. This feature makes each step on the pedal feel more powerful and pushes the bike further than you could on a non-powered bike. It is a much-appreciated feature for those who commute to work as it makes the ride seemingly effortless.

Some electric bikes can even offer more than mere pedal assist. You can go full throttle on electric bikes that can fully run on their electric motor. It might cost you your battery life, but getting to work without even stepping on the pedal can make it worth it.

Electric bikes can vary depending on their top speed, torque, and battery capacity. Some electric bikes even include innovative features such as the ability to pair your bike with a smartphone application for finetuning and monitoring.

Pros and Cons of Having an Electric Bike

Electric bikes do seem to have a bright future ahead. We’re now seeing roads congested with battery-powered bicycles. Moreover, e-bike sales are expected to reach record highs in the coming months and years.

However, despite this optimistic outlook, electric bikes have their fair share of their pros and cons. Let’s go through them one-by-one.

Pros

• Electric bikes produce zero emissions, making them environmentally friendly.
• Even when riding with pedal assist, you can get a fair amount of exercise every day.
• Thanks to the electric motor, you don’t have to break a sweat when going to work.
• Get to your destination on an electric bike sooner than you would with a regular bike.
• Depending on how you alternate between the pedal assist and full motor riding modes, you can go further on a single battery charge than pedalling all the way.
• With the extra push of the electric motor, you can easily conquer steep climbs.

Cons

• Due to the battery and electric motor, electric bikes are heavier than their non-powered counterparts.
• They are more expensive than a regular bike. For example, for the price of a cheap electric mountain bike, you can buy a top-of-the-line regular MTB instead.
• Laws and regulations covering electric bikes can get complicated and confusing. So make sure to check local laws first.
• The battery degrades over time, giving you the additional burden of replacing it.

How Much Do They Cost?

Unfortunately, due to the inclusion of an electric motor and a battery, electric bikes are generally more expensive than regular bikes.

You can certainly find e-bikes priced under $1000, but these would most likely be unsatisfactory. Making electric bikes cheaper means making compromises. Trade-offs between the quality of the components and the price tag can severely affect riding performance and long-term durability.

There are sub-categories of e-bikes meant for different situations. For example, electric mountain bikes, also known as “eMTBs,” are the most expensive kind of electric bike in the market. They use high-performance motors that can reach higher top speeds and more powerful torque to meet the challenges of the rugged trail.

If eMTBs sound good to you, check out full-suspension electric mountain bikes for sale.

Consider the cost of maintenance as well. Electric bikes run on batteries which degrade over time. They may be damaged as well, resulting in additional costs to have them serviced and replaced. Damaged batteries can also leak, introducing a health hazard that can lead to excessive hospital bills.

The regular bicycle doesn’t need a wall outlet to work, merely relying on the free power provided by your feet. Unfortunately, such is not the case with electric bikes. As you may already know, the battery of your electric bike needs to be recharged regularly. Charging your electric bike every day can quickly rack up high electricity bills.

Before you make a purchase, consider the additional costs that come with an electric bike. The price tag alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

To make an informed decision, make sure to read the technical specifications and reviews about the electric bike you’re after.

Final Thoughts

People are changing the way they think about mobility. Cars still dominate our roads and highways, but electric bikes are quickly gaining traction. Starting as a niche for hardcore enthusiasts, electric bikes have now gained a much wider appeal.