Discover electric cycles

If all this cycling sounds like a little too much effort, we highly recommend you look into electric bikes. These come fitted with a battery and electric motor that help you pedal.

The electric motor enables you to accelerate quicker and reach higher speeds, which can help you reach your destination or workplace more quickly, while preventing you from feeling tired and sweaty. Having power assistance allows you to climb steep hills and cover greater distances with much less effort.

The way an electric bike is designed can benefit you in different ways:

Motor placement

This is important for the performance of the bike. There are a range of motor types:

  • Mid drive motors - can help you effectively climb steep hills and reach high speeds on flat roads.
  • Front hub motors - can be handy for riding off road on terrain such as dirt, snow or sand as it gives you an “all wheel drive” experience.
  • Rear hub motors - gives you more traction on the rear wheel, but can be more difficult to repair it.
  • All-in-one wheel motors – everything is housed in the hub or the wheel including the motor, battery, and controller.

Pedal power assistance

In the UK, electric bikes can have a motor with a maximum of 250 watts of power. The motor will cut off when you reach 15.5 miles per hour or 25km per hour. There are two main types of power assistance:

  • Torque sensor pedal assist - sense how much force is being placed down on the pedal. The harder you are pushing down, the more power assistance the motor provides.
  • Cadence sensor pedal assist - provides power regardless of how fast or slow you are pedalling and usually kick in after a few fractions of a second. The motor will always provide the same level of power, depending on the setting you choose.

Battery range and charging

The battery typically lasts for 25 to 50 miles. This is usually enough to cover an average journey. You can still use the electric bike when the battery runs out, but it may be slightly harder with the extra weight.

Depending on the battery, it can take from three to six hours to fully charge. Manufacturers recommend a battery is charged to 90%, this takes around two hours for charging and is usually enough for most journeys.

Weight

An electric bike weighs between 20kg and 35kg which is a more than a conventional bike. The additional weight is associated with the battery, motor and control systems. Getting an electric bike You can purchase an electric bike from a conventional bike shop, second hand, or online. The price range for electric bikes is anything from £500 to over £5,000. It is recommended that you test ride a couple of bikes first to find the ideal bike to suit your needs. Getting a used electric bike can be cheaper, but make sure you check its condition before you pay for it. Or if buying online check out reviews on the model first to see if it suits you.

If you already own a bike, you may want convert it to an electric bike with a conversion kit. These can cost between £100 to £600. A kit should come with a motor, battery and control systems. If you can't fit it yourself, you can take it to a local bike mechanic to do it for you.