Ebikes: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

You’ve heard about ebikes, or electric assist bikes but is one for you?  Some people rave about them, others say “no way”, so to help you decide if you should look further, here is a summary of the pros and cons compared to other modes of transportation so you can decide for yourself.

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The Good
If you're rethinking your transportation options in light of COVID-19 an ebike offers advantages:

• Cycling is a more active form of transportation compared to walking, transit, or driving
• Enables you to reduce the number of auto trips
  •  A study in Oslo found ebike riders averaged 340% longer journeys in a day and took more trips.  The ease of an ebike encourages people to chose it over other forms of transportation at least for some trips.
• Creates a sense of certainty traveling to appointments
  • You never know when there will be traffic or transit delays, but the ability to fly across city streets makes it easier to predict how much time you need to allow for getting to an appointment.   
• Conquer commutes and tackle the first and last mile 
  • An ebike will take you door to door.  You do not have to walk from the nearest transit stop or parking garage.  Just find a rack in front and lock your bike. 

If you are a cyclist, an ebike can take your rides to the next level:

• It is still a workout
  • There are many studies that have shown you get sufficient workout to be considered exercise.  One study conducted in Boulder, CO found that riding an ebike for 40 minutes, participant heart rates averaged 75% of their maximum—similar to a brisk walk and enough to be considered moderate exercise.
• Ride with a faster friend
  • If you struggle to keep up with others on the bike, no need to make them wait for you, just use a little assist.
• Conquer hills
  • Many people approach hills with dread.  An ebike will get you over the hump hassle free.
• Haul a heavy load
  • From children to groceries to a washing machine—an ebike will enable you to carry heavy items to and from where you want.
• Vary the ride from day to day
  • Ebike riders ride longer and further because they satisfy that urge to take a different route, explore new streets, and see new things. 
• Arrive less sweaty and exhausted
  • The ebike speed and ease will allow you to show up without looking like you need a shower.  
• Enables you to bike with physical limitations
  • You don’t need to be a senior citizen to suffer from chronic pain and joint replacement.  An ebike provides the motivation and capability to get outdoors and be active.  If your limitation is acute, an ebike can ease you back into your regular physical regimen. 
• Extend biking into the colder months
  • Even the most dedicated cyclists find winter cycling a challenge but an ebike may extend the season for you.  In New York City bike share ridership decreases by 60% from Oct. to Feb. but ebike use has been stable indicating that a quicker journey and ease of use makes winter commuting realistic for many cyclists.   
• Requires the same basic maintenance as a bike without assistance
  • An ebike is still basically a bike, so a regular tune up that includes adjusting bearings, truing wheels, adjusting brakes and shifting, lubing cables, pivot points, and chain will keep your bike running smooth.    
• Save money
  • After the initial investment of the bike itself, operating costs are low compared to that of a car, public transit. and car sharing services.  Charging the battery costs mere pennies and it should last 1000 charges or more before it needs to be replaced.  

The Bad

• Can’t ride them everywhere
  • In most parts of the country, including Chicago, a class 1 ebike is treated like a non-assisted bike.  Class 2 and 3 bikes may be limited in where they can ride due to their increased speed.  The jury is still out on the use of ebikes on public lands and it varies from property to property.  

• Service of ebike specific components required advanced skills
  • You will rarely will need to service the motor and battery and they have generous warranties, but if you do need service, the work will need to be done by a trained ebike technician. 
• More difficult to change a flat
  • If your ebike has the motor in the rear hub, if you should get a flat tire, (it is actually like any other bike wheel), it will take longer to remove the wheel and repair it.  Even for ebikes with mid-drives, there are harnesses to be accounted for.  The additional weight makes it more difficult to service in general. 

• Need a safe place to store and charge
  • If you do not have a power source where you store your bike, you need to get a bike with an easily removable battery.  Due to the increased value, an ebike is especially attractive to thieves. 
• Batteries need to be managed
  • The more assist you use the less range you will get from your battery.  You will need to meter your battery usage so you do not run out before the end of your ride and are forced to pedal a heavy bike with no assist.

​The Ugly

• Cost
  • Kits to retrofit an existing bike can be had for under $500, but a new integrated ebike starts at $1,600 and goes up to the tens of thousands.  Bikes without an assist, of course, can be found in these price ranges also. 
• Weight
  • The addition of the motor, battery and display adds weight to an ebike.  The average is 40 – 60 lbs, although lighter versions are available at an increased cost.   The weight is a factor only when you are not riding the bike because once in motion, the motor will make up for the additional weight.  
• Safety on the road
  • Bike-specific infrastructure such as protected bike lanes, trails and safety regulations will result in a more sustainable urban mobility landscape.  Until that happens, there continues to be a risk for all cyclists.  Also the additional weight and speed of an ebike increases the risk to the cyclist and others on the road.    
• People might hate you
  • The average cyclist travels about 3 mph faster on an ebike compared to a bike with no assist, so you might get some dirty looks when you sail pass others on the road.