ELECTRIC BIKES | Frequently Asked Questions

An electric bike is a bicycle that uses electrical components, such a a battery, that feeds an electric motor used for propulsion. A huge range of bicycles fit that description and there are many styles of electric bikes. Some examples of electric bikes include long range, cargo, mountain, folding, or last-mile just to name a few. 

Electric bikes are sometimes converted from standard regular bikes and some are purpose built as an electric bike.  E-bikes also come with a range of options for the motor, drive system, and other components. 

Some e-bikes on the market are higher quality, while others are standard quality; the price of an e-bike can be directly related to the quality of parts and assembly. 

Electric bikes use a motor to assist the movement of the pedals, making riding the bicycle less taxing on the individual. Some designs allow the bike to move forward under its own power using a throttle that is directly connected to the motor, similar to a motorcycle; but keep in mind that electric bikes are definitely not motorcycles!

The electric motor and battery don't last as long as a gasoline-powered engine. However, e-bikes are better for the planet because they don't generate polluting exhaust when you ride them. They also are a healthier option for you because you will have to use your power to move the bike, which will overall improve your cardiovascular fitness.

While you might think electric bikes don't have an upper limit for their speed, thanks to the addition of a motor, they do! Because federal regulations under the 2002 Consumer Product Safety Act regulate the definition of low-speed electric bikes, you will have a speed limit for how fast you can go with motor assistance. Depending on the bike you have and/or where you live, you may have a speed limit of 20 to 28 miles per hour (MPH). Check your local regulations for electric bike regulations.

In the United States, electric bikes are legal and have few restrictions. Those few restrictions have to do with speed and how the bike is moved; either by pedal assist, throttle, or both. 

Most jurisdictions across the USA have mandated that electric bikes be regulated at 20 MPH. However, some electric bikes are very capable of exceeding this speed and can have their settings set to allow the e-bike to go well beyond 20 MPH. Choosing to go beyond 20 MPH is a decision an e-bike owner must make on their own accord, while also checking local regulations. Cities, bike paths, and other areas used by the public most often have e-bike regulations. 

Yes and no.

Some electric bikes can get wet and some are made to be water resistant. Others are not designed to get wet at all. 

Although most e-bikes are water-resistant, which means riding or parking them in rain is perfectly fine for a short time, there are some types of electric bikes that are not meant to get wet and should never be exposed to these conditions. Make sure you ask about a bikes water resistance when shopping for your new electric bike at E-Go Depot!

Most of the time, go for it! 

Some e-bikes are designed for water, some are designed to resist water, while others are not adequate in wet conditions at all. However, riding your electric bike in rain will not harm the e-bike, as long as it has some level of water resistance rating. 

Some e-bikes, to be completely honest, are cheap and their build quality is lacking. These bikes will fail in wet conditions. That said, most other e-bikes will be just fine in the rain; but of course, it's always best to take precautions when riding your e-bike in wet conditions. Just remember this when getting your e-bike: the less it costs, the less it will resist water. 

Just because electric bikes are water-resistant, doesn’t mean you should leave them out in the rain. They will inevitably rust and possibly have electrical issues as a result. Just like with any bike, leaving it exposed to rain or other wet conditions is not good for it.  It isn’t any more reckless to do this with an e-bike than it would be with a regular bike; but nonetheless, you'd still be taking a risk.

It is important to know if your electric bike is water resistant or water proof. It's also perfectly safe for an electric bike to be exposed to light rain; just as long as there are no exposed wires, cracks in your screen, or other places exposed to where water can get into the system. 

It is always a safer bet to keep your electric bike in a dry location or to use a water proof cover.

Electric bikes can be pretty hefty, they certainly are heavier than a standard bike. A non-electric bike typically weighs from around 15 to 35 pounds, whereas an electric version of a similar model type may weigh about 45 to 50 pounds.

The addition of a motor system and battery adds the bulk of the extra weight on an e-bike, as does the typically bigger frame. But unless you have to lift it up, you won't notice it too much. The electric motor takes that extra weight load off of you and pushes the bike along.

Electric bikes are probably easier to ride than normal bikes despite their heavier weight.

The purpose of the bike's electric motor and battery is to reduce the amount of effort the cyclist needs to put in and as a result, makes your cycling less strenuous.

The answer isn't what you might think. There are  several studies that have been done on this question. Turns out, the health benefit to riding a regular bike versus an electric bike is reduced, but you still get a workout. Depending on how long you ride the bike, the more health benefits you'll ultimately gain. 

"...Cycling is better for health than riding a pedal-assist electric bike, but e-bikes provide a better workout than walking." That was the conclusion reached from a new systematic study published in the latest International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Lead author Jessica Bourne, a PhD student in the University of Bristol’s Nutrition Biomedical Research Centre, examined seventeen studies from around the world. She and her associates found that e-cycling “provided physical activity of at least moderate intensity, which was lower than the intensity elicited during conventional cycling, but higher than that during walking.”

Pedal assist technology can be the trigger for getting previously inactive people on bikes. “E-cycling can improve cardiorespiratory fitness in physically inactive individuals,” said the new study, stated to be the “first review to examine the physical activity intensity, cardiorespiratory, metabolic and psychological outcomes associated with e-cycling.” - forbes.com

As fast as you are capable of peddling, essentially. 

The motor of an e-bike is set at about 15 to 20 MPH, but the settings can be changed to increase the speed of the e-bike dependent on the capability of the motor the bike is equipped with. However, it is important to check your local regulations. In the USA, most e-bikes are set at a max speed of 20 mph.  

Most e-bikes are not noisy and are hardly noticeable at all. On occasion you may hear a slight whine from the motor, but that's pretty much the extent of the noise an e-bike will make when compared to a non-e-bike.

This depends on you, really. 

Electric bikes can be ridden like a normal bike at any time. Even if you do use the peddle assist, you are still peddling; you're just going faster with less energy expended. Anyone that says "electric bikes are lazy" just don't understand what an electric bike is. 

There are countless stories of people actually getting out to ride a bike for the first time in years because electric bikes make it easier and older riders have more confidence to go riding. E-Go Depot has delivered electric trikes to people that were homebound. One individual was so excited to get their electric bike that they couldn't wait to go riding. It was the first time they had gone riding in over a year. 

Some people need electric bikes to have confidence in riding, to not be worried if they'll have the energy to return home. This also opens up new possibilities to people with disabilities. 

Potentially further than you could feasibly manage on a regular bike. This is because not as much effort or energy exertion is needed to ride an e-bike, resulting in many people being able to cycle greater distances on them.

However, you are of course limited by the battery life of your electric bike. These are designed to be fully charged overnight, so that they can be used every day. They can also be remotely charged virtually anywhere where there is a plug socket or computer.

With that being said, entry level e-bikes have a range of 15 miles, while there are e-bikes that can exceed 75 miles (depending on riding conditions, load, and terrain). 

Contrary to popular belief, they are very eco-friendly. 

They don’t release any unhealthy gases and their batteries are easy to recycle. In some ways, they actually benefit the environment. Using an electric bike instead of driving is certainly a greener option anyway, considering the carbon emissions a car releases.

Yes! 

As alluded to in the ‘Are Electric Bikes Heavy?’ section, going uphill is easier and less tiring to do on an electric bike than on a regular bicycle. When cycling up steeper terrains, such as hills, the assistance provided by an electric bike makes this far more comfortable to navigate than it would be with a regular bicycle.

Keep in mind that if you live in an area with many hills, the more powerful the motor and battery, the faster you'll go up that hill. 

Yes. 

E-bikes are considered an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC). This means that they have certain regulations, including: they must have pedals that can propel it, they must show the power output or the motor’s manufacturer, and they must show the battery's voltage or the bike’s top speed.

Electric bicycles that meet these EAPC standards are perfectly free to be used on the roads.

Yes!

For the same reasons as mentioned in the 'Can Electric Bikes Be Used on the Road?' section. If your electric bike meets the EAPC regulations, you are just as entitled to ride it on designated cycle paths. However, it is important to obey posted speed limits and regulations. 

At E-Go Depot the lowest priced e-bike for sale started at $700, while the most expensive e-bike was $4,900. However, the average cost of a quality e-bike that is well-made and well-equipped is in the $1,200-$1,700 range. At E-Go Depot we only sell quality e-bikes that are well-made, backed with a warranty, and has the support of a repair shop.

E-Go Depot sells all new e-bikes, each one has either a one-year warranty or a two-year warranty depending on the brand you choose. Ask a sales associate for details on warranty options. 

At E-Go Depot, when we get the e-bike in the shop, we take it out of it's packaging and assemble the e-bike for you. These electric bikes have connections that must be carefully connected and go in the correct place. These connections have a tight fit for water resistance, so it is vital to make sure that they are connected properly. For that reason, E-Go Depot assembles all e-bikes for you.

Upon arrival of e-bikes to our shop: we make needed adjustments such as on brakes, derailleur, spokes, and other components that need to be checked. Then, we ride the bike for a short period of time to make sure everything works as designed. When you purchase the e-bike, we then fit that bike to you. This includes seat height, seat level, handle bar position, brake handle positions, and other parts that you interact with.

Electric bikes are just a bike at its core. For this reason, it is important to have normal maintenance, such as a bike tune up or brake check. 

E-Go Depot has a full service reapir and maintenance shop at your service. However, if you are traveling or have relocated, you can look on the website of your electric bike's brand, then search for a dealer near you. You can also always check google for a repair shop near by.