Electric bicycle
This exempts them from the more stringent laws regarding the certification and operation of more powerful two-wheelers which are often classed as electric motorcycles, such as licensing and mandatory safety equipment.
E-scooters, however, cannot be categorized as an active transport mode, as they require minimal physical effort and, therefore, offer no health benefits.
Additionally, the substantial incidence of accidents and injuries involving e-scooters underscores the considerable safety concerns and perceived risks associated with their use in urban settings.
E-bikes stand out as the only option that combines the benefits of active transport with inclusivity, as their electric-motor, pedal-assist feature helps riders cover greater distances.
[11] Hub motors fell out of favor until the latter part of the first decade of the 2000s when they made a resurgence on inexpensive electric bicycles.
[16] A typical unit requires eight hours to charge the battery, which provides the range of 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48 km),[16] at the speed of around 20 km/h (12 mph).
[17] In the 2010s electric bicycles attracted considerable traction in Europe[18] led by government policies and environmental awareness encouraging sustainable technologies.
Some countries such as Germany and Netherlands turned into significant e-bikes markets with the aim to reduce urban congestion and carbon emissions.
They provided faster charging times, lighter weight and longer range in order to make e-bikes more efficient and practical for daily use.
The EN15194 standard is valid across the whole of the EU and has been adopted by some non-EU European nations including the UK,[22] and also some non-European jurisdictions (such as the state of Victoria in Australia).
[23] Pedelecs are much like conventional bicycles in use and function—the electric motor only provides assistance, for example, when the rider is climbing or struggling against a headwind.
Pedelecs are therefore especially useful for people in hilly areas where riding a bike would prove too strenuous for many to consider taking up cycling as a daily means of transport.
[citation needed] Hub motors were common in 19th century electric bicycle designs but fell out of favor until their resurgence in the 2000s.
[citation needed] Lithium ion batteries used in e-bikes and related vehicles such as electric scooters have been under scrutiny since 2019 due to their susceptibility to overheating and catching fire.
In 2024, the world's largest electric bike maker, Giant Manufacturing, went on record to say that it had never experienced an issue with a single battery.
[39] Some jurisdictions, such as New York City and San Francisco, have passed laws requiring that all electric mobility devices sold have UL safety certifications.
[40][41] Not all e-bikes take the form of conventional push-bikes with an incorporated motor, such as the Cytronex bicycles which use a small battery disguised as a water bottle.
[42][43] Some are designed to take the appearance of low capacity motorcycles "moto-style", but smaller in size and consisting of an electric motor rather than a petrol engine.
[citation needed] Converting a non-electric bicycle to its electric equivalent can be complicated but numerous 'replace a wheel' solutions are now available on the market.
Cargo carrying tricycles are also gaining acceptance, with a small but growing number of couriers using them for package deliveries in city centers.
E-bike users in seven European cities had 10% higher weekly energy expenditure than other cyclists because they cycled longer trips.
[53] E-bikes can also provide a source of exercise for individuals who have trouble exercising for an extended time (due to injury or excessive weight, for example) as the bike can allow the rider to take short breaks from pedaling and also provide confidence to the rider that they'll be able to complete the selected path without becoming too fatigued[54] or without having forced their knee joints too hard (people who need to use their knee joints without wearing them out unnecessarily may in some electric bikes adjust the level of motor assistance according to the terrain).
[58] E-bikes can be a useful part of cardiac rehabilitation programs, since health professionals will often recommend a stationary bike be used in the early stages of these.
However, Dozza et al. (2015) concluded (from an analysis of Swedish cyclists) that e-bikers may be involved in more critical incidents but with "lower severity".
[60] In the United States, the risk of accidents and injuries is a growing concern for e-bike users, parents, and drivers alike.
[61] E-bikes are zero-emissions vehicles, as they emit no combustion by-products, but the environmental effects of electricity generation and power distribution and of manufacturing and recycling batteries[62] must be accounted for.
[63] E-bikes emit similar pollutants per kilometer as buses, with emission rates several times lower than motorcycles and cars.
[27][77] This boom was triggered by Chinese local governments' efforts to restrict motorcycles in city centers to avoid traffic disruption and accidents.
[76][77] In April 2019, China's regulatory policies changed, and new standards around electric bikes were introduced, governing a bicycle's weight, maximum speed and nominal voltage among other factors.
[78] Vehicles which apply the new standard, including international 25 km/h speed limit, are legally considered as bicycles and do not require registration.
