Americans go out and buy around 40 million used cars each year. It’s not really a shock since so many people still commute to work. Of course, the ways that people commute are changing slowly, but surely.
In rural areas, cars still dominate because many commutes remain long. In urban areas where people often live comparatively close to their jobs, alternative commuting methods are gaining some traction. Public transit is one option, but many people are turning to bicycles or electric bikes.
Not up to speed on electric bikes? Keep reading for a quick breakdown of the types of electric bikes.
Classes
Electric bikes offer riders a means of relatively easy transportation, but they come in a few different classes. Most states require that an electric bike include a sticker that reports the class of electric bicycles.
Class 1
The class 1 electric bike is a straight pedal-assist system. The electric motor only kicks on when you pedal. The motor will assist you up until you reach 20 MPH, which is the speed cap for this class.
When you stop pedaling, the motor disengages.
Class 2
The class 2 electric bike comes with a throttle. You engage the electric motor with the throttle, rather than by pedaling the bicycle. The speed cap for this class of electric bike is also 20 MPH
Class 3
The class 3 electric bike also falls under the pedal-assist classification, meaning you must pedal to get the motor to kick on. This class comes with a speed cap of 28 MPH. A speedometer is standard equipment on class 3 bikes and is required in most states.
States with regulations typically require that riders wear a helmet when riding this class of electric bicycle. However, wearing a helmet is advisable when riding any electric bike or even an unpowered bicycle as head injuries are so dangerous.
Types of Electric Bikes
People often look for the best electric bicycle when shopping, but that often depends on how you plan on riding the bicycle. That’s why there are different styles of battery powered bicycles.
Cruiser
These models of electric bikes add a bit of speed to your bike trips, but they focus more on comfort for things like errands are relatively short trips. For example, they often feature large, comfortable, heavily padded seats.
You may also see models designed for specific uses, such as an electric beach cruiser. These models add comfort during rides on specific surfaces, such as sand or road tops.
Commuter
Commuter models typically aim for a combination of speed and distance. They may accomplish this by boosting the motor power, adding to the battery, or reducing the overall weight of the bike. These are typically the best electric bikes for getting around in urban environments where traffic speeds are often low or there are specific lanes for bikes.
Mountain
The mountain or off-road electric bike models are meant for exactly that, riding off-road on mountain trails. These are best for the nature lover who may not have the endurance or strength for riding a traditional mountain bike on a mountain path.
Motors
States with regulations typically adopt a pretty standard set of limits on the motors for electric bikes. In most cases, it limits the bike motors to one horsepower and limits the wattage to 750 watts.
These limits help ensure that electric bicycles don’t exceed speed limitations. They also make it easier for the cycling industry to manufacture bikes that meet standard-issue regulations.
Motor Types
Motors come in two main flavors on electric bikes: rear hub drives and center drives. Rear hub drives mount near or on the back tire as either geared or direct drive models.
Center drives refer more to the mounting of the motor than the type of motor. Center drives sit near the actual center of the bike, which helps improve the overall stability of the bike, which is a boon at 20+ miles per hour.
Battery
The standard battery for an electric bicycle is a lithium-ion battery made up of several individual cells. These batteries can take several hours to charge, so make sure you store the bike somewhere you can easily access electricity for charging purposes.
The battery size can also put limits on the distance your bike will travel on a single charge. For smaller batteries, you might only get 20-30 miles of distance with a pedal-assist. For larger batteries, you might see a range of 60 miles.
When shopping for your electric bike, makes sure you check the bike range and select an appropriate model. Bear in mind also that batteries become less efficient over time.
You’ll want to pad the bike range so it exceeds the distance you expect to travel on a regular basis. Think in the 20 percent to 30 percent range. That will let you use the bike for longer without replacing the battery.
Regulations
The vast majority of states treat electric bicycles as variations on bicycles. That means you do not need any kind of license for electric bikes in most states.
A small handful of states, however, classify electric bikes as mopeds or motorized vehicles. That means that those states will typically require the same kind of license that they require for a motorcycle, as well as insurance and registration requirements. Always check your state regulations before taking an electric bike out on the road.
Some states or cities also place limitations on whether you can take an electric bicycle on bike or shared bike/pedestrian paths. These limits often only apply to class 3 electric bicycles, but you should always check. If you violate those regulations you can face fines.
Picking Your Electric Bike
There is a lot to consider in terms of classes and types of electric bikes when making a purchase decision. Start with how you plan on using the bike. Will just zip around your neighborhood with the bike or do you want to commute to work on it.
How fast are you comfortable going on your bike? If the idea of going nearly 30 miles per hour on a bicycle makes you leery, look for a class 1 or class 2 bike.
Looking for more technology tips? Check out the posts in our Tech section.
