For those living in a big city, an ebike provides you with yet another affordable and efficient way of commuting to work and all around town. But for those into mountain biking, eBikes can provide a way to get further into nature and conquer trails you might not otherwise have been able to ride. And, eBikes have also gained popularity with hunters as an alternative to taking horses on a hunt. These also help to cut down on fossil fuel emissions in our atmosphere. This is why eBikes will likely continue to become more and more popular over the next several years.
An eBike is designed not to make its rider lazy. But rather to assist riders to go faster and further than ever before. They are not just for the city folk. Rather there are a variety of people who may like to consider taking up eBiking. Here is more on what an eBike is and how to operate one.
You may be wondering not just what an eBike is, but also how they work. And, what purpose do electric bikes serve? Where can they be ridden? And, do you need a license? Here are the answers.
What is an eBike?
You may have already guessed that an eBike is an electrical bicycle, but don’t get yourself confused and think that they are similar to a scooter or a moped. An eBike still resembles your average bicycle, but also comes with a controller, a battery, and a motor. They can travel up to 20 miles on a single charge without any pedaling required.
How eBikes Work
Ebikes work just like regular bikes do, only with electrical components added. It’s designed in such a way that they’re extremely easy to operate, anyone could ride one. An eBike is meant to work alongside pedaling, not to entirely replace it. So, with an electric bike, you will be able to ride for much longer distances and be able to handle windy conditions, hills, and steeper terrain with ease.
How to Operate an eBike
As mentioned earlier, eBikes are not difficult to operate. They have three different mode settings that they can be ridden in. Here is a closer look at each one.
Pedal Only
Just like you do with a regular bike, you can ride an ebike with old-fashioned pedaling. It has the same feel to it as a traditional bike and you won’t notice any resistance from the motor whatsoever. You will find them with 3 gears, 8 gears, or with a NuVinci N360 that has unlimited gears.
Pedal Assist (Electric Assist)
Set at this mode you will still be able to enjoy pedaling while it provides you with a gentle boost from the motor, making cycling incredibly easy no matter what uphill obstacle may get in your way. Pedal-assist comes with three different power levels, low (30%), medium (60%), and high (100%). With only the push of a button, you can choose the different power levels of assistance. When set on high, it will double your pedaling speed.
Electric Only
When you’re needing to take a break and catch a breather, you will love this mode setting that an ebike provides you. All you do is twist the throttle that’s located on your left handlebar and continue holding on to it until you’re ready to start pedaling again or are wanting to come to a stop.
Electric bikes are still a relatively new mode of transportation in the United States compared to countries like Europe and Asia. As long as your eBike doesn’t exceed 20 mph and has a motor power of no more than 750 W, you won’t be required to get a license, registration, or insurance to ride one.
