What is an Electric Bike?

Electric bikes look a lot like the non-electric bikes you’re familiar with, but they're equipped with a battery and a small electric motor to assist you in pedaling faster and farther. E-bikes are offered in a variety of styles, including cargo bikes, commuting bikes, mountain bikes, folding bikes and more.

The motors on an electric bike senses when you’re pedaling and gives you a boost to propel the bike forward, making pedaling easier. Many e-bikes have several levels (or modes) of assistance that allow you to adjust the amount of boost you get. Some electric bikes provide a boost only when you pedal, others have a throttle button that will assist you even when you don’t.

E-bikes are categorized into three main classes, which often determine where you can ride them. Most bike manufacturers and state, local and other entities have adopted this system, which defines e-bikes as a low-speed bicycle with fully operational pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (about 1 horsepower).

Shop electric bikes at REI: https://www.rei.com/c/electric-bikes
REI's Staff Picks for e-bikes: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi...
Learn the basics of electric bikes: https://www.rei.com/learn/series/elec...
Join an in person class or event: https://www.rei.com/events/a/cycling
Become and REI member: https://www.rei.com/membership

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