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What Is An E-Bike? Here's Everything You Need to Know

The first thing you should know about e-bikes is that they're here to stay. Electric bicycle ;sales jumped by an incredible 145 percent from 2019 to 2020 alone, according to the market research firm NPD Group. It's a nearly $244 billion industry as of last year, and there's no sign of a slowdown.

Some view the rise of e-bikes as a threat, as though standard bikes will go the way of the penny-farthing once everyone goes electric. But fear not: E-bikes aren't here to rob us of our human-powered way of life. In fact, they may very well enhance it—especially as travel and commuting habits change following the global pandemic and the shift of work commuting. So as we roll our way into peak riding season, here's everything you need to know about the electric revolution.

Generally speaking, e-bikes are bicycles with a battery-powered “assist” that comes via pedaling and, in some cases, a throttle. When you push the pedals on a pedal-assist e-bike, a small motor engages and gives you a boost, so you can zip up hills and cruise over tough terrain without gassing yourself.

In addition to the pedal-assist feature, some e-bikes come with a throttle that engages the motor with the press of a button. These belong to a separate class of e-bikes that, obviously, don't offer a pure cycling experience; they’re also illegal in some municipalities. Interestingly, Benjamin says, people who aren’t already “cyclists” tend to gravitate toward throttle bikes at first, but then turn around and choose a pedal assist for their next purchase.

Ultimate Guide to Electric Scooters

This is the definitive guide to a single motor electric scooter. ;It is a starting point for all information about their history, different components, commuting, laws, safety, maintenance, and scooter sharing.

Electric kick scooters, like the Razor kick scooters of the 1990s, have two wheels, a platform called a deck, and handlebars for steering. They differ from the unmotorized kick scooters of the 90s due to the addition of a battery, electronics, larger (often air-filled) tires, and an electric motor.

Though the majority of Single Motor Electric Scooters are intended to be ridden while standing on the deck, some scooters can be converted into seated electric scooters with optional accessories. ;

Electric Scooters For Adults

Adult electric scooters are the most common type of scooter available on the market. They differ from electric scooters intended for children because they have a larger weight capacity, typically around 220 lbs (100 kg), more powerful motors, larger battery, larger deck, and a taller stem. ; ;

A typical adult scooter weighs under 30 lbs, has a 250-watt motor, a 250 watt-hour lithium-ion battery, has a top speed of 15 mph, a range of 10 miles, and costs around $500.

Electric Scooters For Kids

Electric scooters intended for kids or teens are typically smaller, lighter, and less expensive than their adult counterparts. ; They are often made of less durable materials such as plastic, have weak motors, and may even contain low energy density lead-acid batteries.

It is worth noting that children’s electric scooters aren’t typically much more than toys and should be used as such. ; They shouldn’t be used for riding on public roads or ridden by adults.

A typical children’s electric scooter weighs around 20 lbs, has a 150-watt motor, 100 watt-hour battery (either sealed lead acid or lithium-ion), a range of 3 miles, and costs around $200.

Best Dual Motor Electric Scooters

Once you've been riding an electric scooter for a while, it's hard not to become addicted to how much fun they can be. Pretty soon, you'll probably find yourself outgrowing your single-motor scooter that opened the gates to the scooting world and looking for something with more power.

High speeds, rapid acceleration, ferocious torque — choosing a double motor electric scooter ;adds a healthy injection of adrenaline and thrill to any ride. These beauties are perfect if you're ready to take the next step and level up your scooter game.

The added power from the second motor also means that getting ahead of other road users is simple. Single-motor scooters can sometimes feel sluggish when taking off, but this isn't something you'll need to worry about with the E500. Even a slight squeeze of the throttle will have you leaping forward. Not only that but the 32-newton meters of torque it offers will allow you to tackle hills with inclines of up to 15 degrees thanks to its increased traction. To put this into perspective, Filbert Street, the steepest street in San Francisco, has a maximum gradient of 17.5 degrees.

With Model One, coming to a stop is just as easy as taking off. It features dual electronic anti-lock brakes and a rear foot brake — handy if you ever find yourself short on battery and have to ride the E500 as a manual scooter. Combined, this setup will slow you down completely in around 4 to 5 meters. I prefer to see a double braking system like this on a dual-motor scooter because it balances out the extra power and guarantees a controlled and responsive braking action.