“Electric bike” and “eBike” redirect here. For electrically powered motorcycles, see Electric motorcycles and scooters.
An electric bicycle is a motorized bicycle with an integrated electric motor that assists propulsion. While in two broad categories, e-bikes are classified by whether they assist the rider’s pedal power via an electric motor or offer throttle assistance. In this way, they can be classified as an electric bicycle or as a moped which also uses pedals to propel themselves. Electric motors are commonly used on the faster models of e-bikes for some added mobility and e-bikes use rechargeable batteries and typically travel up to 25 to 32 kilometers per hour. High-powered varieties can often achieve speeds up to 45 kilometers per hour. In some markets, such as Germany as of 2013, they are taking share away from conventional bicycles while in others, such as China, they are replacing fossil fuel mopeds and small motorcycles.
Depending on laws in your area, many e-bikes are legally classified as bicycles rather than motorcycles. This lowers the legal requirements for e-bikes, which often have a more powerful motor compared to what would be required for an electric motorcycle. E-bikes are also denoted separately and treated under different laws governing their use, safety and certification.
In the UK, these vehicles are referred to as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle, in the EU these vehicles are referred to as an Electrically Powered Assistive Cycle.
Electric bicycles are the electric version of motorized bicycles, which have been in use since the late 19th century. Some bike sharing systems use them.
