FAQ - E-bikes and Cycles

FAQ

1 Learn about E-bikes

1.1 What is an electric bike?

Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes or pedal-assist bicycles, are bicycles created with integrated electric motors which provide additional power and speed to a cyclist. The drive system of the bike consists of a motor, battery, drivetrain, and throttle.

Because the latest generation of e-bikes are featured with lightweight and rechargeable batteries, cyclists find them to be easy, practical, and ultimately, fun-to-ride in a variety of different settings. Wildly popular in Europe, e-bikes are one of the fastest-growing segments of bicycles in the US. Electric bikes make cycling more approachable and a lot more fun to ride!

1.2 Who loves riding an electric bike?

The simple answer: Everyone! Whether you are looking to get to the grocery store faster, arrive at work a little fresher, or even ride longer, you’ll find many benefits in riding an electric bike. Here are a few different types of cyclists who’d enjoy riding en e-bike:

The Daily Commuter
Rain or shine, you ride to work each day. Though you love spending time on your bike, you’d also love arriving to work a little quicker, and perhaps, a little less sweaty. You’d appreciate a little extra help in carrying life’s necessities to and from work.
The Environment Lover
Though it’s easier to jump in the car and do your errands, you’d love to use your bike more for all of life’s daily tasks. Riding a little faster and hauling a heavier load in a bike would certainly be a plus.
The Recreational Cyclist
You love spending quality time with your family and friends in the outdoors. You’d enjoy your rides even more if you had a little assistance when the wind picks up or you hit a few hills. If if was a little easier, you’d certainly hop on your bike a lot more!
The Mature Rider
You may not be as young and fit as your used to be, but that doesn’t stop you from being active and exploring the outdoors. You want to feel young again and experience the joy of riding your bike, but some days your body just isn’t up for conquering rough terrain. You want a bike that is comfortable, dependable, and of course, fun.

1.3 What is the class system for electric bikes?

Class 1:

Commonly known as pedal assist or pedelec e-bikes. These bikes are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and cap at assisted speeds of 20mph.

Class 2:

Throttle-assisted, which means the motor can be used to fully propel the bike without any pedaling. They also cap at 20mph.

Class 3:

Also known as speed pedelec, they are similar to class 1 e-bikes in that they are pedal assist-only and without throttle, however, they have a higher speed cap of 28mph.

1.4 What are Florida's e-bike laws?

1.5 What are the styles of electric bikes?

Road:

Road e-bikes are designed for riding on paved roadways. They are featured with smooth and skinny tires along with lower handlebars. Typically they are lighter in weight and not suited for carrying cargo or riding on unpaved terrain.

Mountain:

Mountain e-bikes are designed for riding off-road or on unpaved trails. They typically have shock-absorbing suspension in the front (hard tail), or in both the front and back (full-suspension.)

Hybrid:

Combining the best of both road bikes and mountain bikes, hybrid bikes come with front suspension, upright handlebars, and medium-width tires. They are good for casual riding and short-distance commuting.

Cruiser:

Cruiser bikes, or beach cruiser bikes, are designed for a casual and comfortable riding experience. They come with a larger seat and more upright handlebars, and they are ideal with commutes on paved surfaces.

Fat Tire:

Fat tire bikes are similar to mountain bikes but come with a wider knobby tire, which allows the bike to handle more difficult terrain and all-weather riding conditions.

Folding:
Folding bikes are collapsible, which allow them to fold down into a smaller and more portable size, making them ideal for those who don’t have much storage space or for cyclists whose journey may include a bus or train.

Commuter:

Also known as city or urban bikes, commuter e-bikes are designed for the daily trip to work. These bikes focus on comfort, utility, and style.

Three-wheeler:

Three-wheeler, also known as tricycles or trikes, have added stability with the use of a third wheel. They are a great fit for all cargo bike needs. Typically designed with one front wheel and two rear wheels, there are also models designed with two wheels up front and one in the rear.

1.6 Why should you purchase an e-bike?

Easy to Use
E-bikes are easy to use, which opens up the world of cycling to novice cyclists, people who may not be physically able to ride on longer rides any longer, and those who simply just don’t enjoy the effort needed to ride a bike. Electric bikes allow everyone to cycle at the same pace. With pedal assist, hills and riding into the wind require no additional effort. Because e-bikes are less influenced by the weather, you’ll show up to work less sweaty and winded.
Transportation is made easy
You’ll be able to avoid traffic and busy parking lots, as e-bikes share some of the benefits of standard bicycles. E-bikes can be parked alongside traditional bikes, and foldable e-bikes can be collapsed down and brought into the office. Electric bikes help you avoid traffic by using bike lanes and bike paths, and because they have a maximum assisted speed of 20 miles per hour, you’ll go faster and travel farther in less time than a traditional bike.
They come with health benefits
Because e-bikes come with pedal assist, you’ll experience less stress on your joints, compared to traditional bicycles. Your knees, hips, and ankles will thank you! Balancing and stabilizing an e-bike upright will help build your core strength. By using pedal assist, your cardiovascular health can be improved by keeping your heart rate at a safe level. The exact health benefits will vary depending on the amount of pedal assist used, but studies have found that the ease of riding e-bikes has resulted in owners riding more overall, meaning more exercise and more health benefits!
Positively Impact the Environment and Economy
E-bikes can help you get from place to place quickly and easily, which is a great alternative to driving in a car. Electric bikes are energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions as they run on electricity from rechargeable batteries. Because they don’t require refueling, e-bikes are less expensive to operate, and maintenance tends to be less than your standard car maintenance.