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Electric bicycle

technology Maturity 11-13 Next article →

An electric bicycle, or e-bike, is a special kind of bike with a built-in motor.

Electric Wheels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Electric Wheels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

This motor helps the rider move forward more easily. E-bikes are very useful for many different people. They help riders travel longer distances without getting too tired. They also make climbing steep hills much easier. Because they use motors, they are great for commuting to work or going to the shops.

Fat tire ebike continental divide rocky mountains USA
Fat tire ebike continental divide rocky mountains USA

There are two main ways these bikes work. The first way is called pedal-assist, or pedelec.

In this system, a sensor detects when you are pedaling. The motor then gives you extra power to help you. The motor usually stops helping once you reach a certain speed, like 25 km/h. The second way is called power-on-demand.

Family Cargo Electric Bike
Family Cargo Electric Bike

These bikes have a throttle, which is like a small lever on the handlebar. You can turn the throttle to make the motor move the bike even if you do not pedal.

People have been trying to make electric bikes for a long time.

In 1895, Ogden Bolton Jr. was granted a patent for a battery-powered bike. His motor was in the rear wheel and used a 10-volt battery. In 1897, Hosea W. Libbey of Boston made a bike with a double electric motor. Later, in 1997, Lee Iacocca helped make e-bikes more popular in the United States.

Bicycles-E-bikes-CH-2024
Bicycles-E-bikes-CH-2024

These early inventors paved the way for the bikes we see today.

Today, e-bikes are becoming very common around the world.

München, Lieferfahrrad mit E-Unterstützung, 2
München, Lieferfahrrad mit E-Unterstützung, 2

China is the world's leading producer of these vehicles. In 2016, about 210 million electric bikes were used every day in China. In Europe, e-bike sales grew quickly in the last few years. In the Netherlands, e-bikes made up 57% of all bike sales in 2022.

E-bike charging station
E-bike charging station

Most e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries now. These batteries are lighter and charge faster than older types.

E-bikes are part of a group called micro-mobility vehicles.

Easy as Pi (3593998394)
Easy as Pi (3593998394)

This group also includes e-scooters and e-cargo bikes. E-bikes are different from scooters because they still encourage active transport. They combine the health benefits of pedaling with the ease of a motor. This makes them inclusive for many different users.

They are a sustainable way to move through busy cities without creating much pollution.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Electric Wheels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.jpg
Electric Wheels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.jpg
File:Op de hoek van Sluisdijkstraat en Keizerstraat (later Beatrixstraat) poseert een man met een Gazelle - RAA003012874 - RAA DenHelder.jpg
Op de hoek van Sluisdijkstraat en...
File:Easy as Pi (3593998394).jpg
Easy as Pi (3593998394).jpg
File:Bicycle motor מנוע אופניים חשמליות.jpg
Bicycle motor מנוע אופניים חשמליות.jpg
File:E-bike charging station.JPG
E-bike charging station.JPG
File:Family Cargo Electric Bike.png
Family Cargo Electric Bike.png
File:München, Lieferfahrrad mit E-Unterstützung, 2.jpeg
München, Lieferfahrrad mit E-Unterstützung, 2.jpeg
File:Bicycles-E-bikes-CH-2024.png
Bicycles-E-bikes-CH-2024.png
File:Fat tire ebike continental divide rocky mountains USA.jpg
Fat tire ebike continental divide rocky...
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