Driving through traffic is one of our biggest daily stresses. Public transportation can waste time unless you live in a city with a great system, and even then, it can be a messy, overpacked ordeal. Motorcycles are great, but not everywhere allows for lane splitting, which means you will just be waiting in traffic with no AC or a comfy seat. What to do? Commuters worldwide have found a more convenient way to get to work — electric bicycles. There are over 60 million cyclists in the United States, and this number doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Also read: The 15 best upcoming electric vehicles: Cybertruck, F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and more
Electric bikes have increased in popularity as cycling has become more common. They are changing the way we look at commutes. Not only can they become your main form of transportation around the city, but they can also adapt to work in tandem with other types of vehicles.
The best e-bikes can fold up to fit on the train or in a trunk so you can leave your car on the edge of town. They slot between vehicles so you can pick your way through traffic, and there’s hardly any physical exertion.
Looking for a nice electric bike? They are still not as popular as regular bicycles, but demand is growing, and options are becoming more diverse. Picking the right one can be challenging, so we have done the work for you and narrowed down the list of options. Here are 10 of the best electric bicycles you could use to get through the city. Editor’s note: Our roundup of the best e-bikes will be updated regularly.
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The best electric bicycles, at a glance
- Monday Motorbikes Presidio
- Delfast e-bike Top 3.0
- Charge XC
- Italjet Ascot Sport
- Trefecta URB L1E
- Greyp G12s CORE Carbon
- Tern Vektron S10
- URB-E Pro GT
- Ride1Up 700 Series
- Eskute Voyager
Monday Motorbikes Presidio
Motorcycle enthusiasts created Monday Motorbikes, and you can definitely see that influence in the final product. While it is a modern piece of cutting-edge technology, the M1 takes design cues from traditional bikes known as cafe racers.
The Presidio is certainly an interesting product. It starts at $2,199 for the 500W variant and offers good value if you’re testing the waters when it comes to electric motorbikes. It’s one of the entry-level electric bikes of Monday Motorbikes. You can charge it for four to five hours, which will take 30 miles for the 500W version. That’s not a lot but certainly enough if you just go around the city block.
The design of the frame is lifted from the top of the line (but currently sold out) Gen 7 motorbike and is made of aluminum alloy. The aggressive fat tires do not just add to the looks department but help make the bike ride smoother. The tires also have a puncture protection feature for your safety on the road.
Monday Motorbikes Presidio key specs
- Weight: 72.8 lbs lb (33 kg)
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 30 miles (48 km)
Monday Motorbikes Presidio price
- $2,199
Delfast ebike Top 3.0
The Delfast Top 3.0 is far from just being an ordinary electric bike. This is a Guinness World Record holder in its original form as the Delfast Prime, which was used for the record attempt in 2017 for the greatest distance traveled on an electric-motorized bicycle on a single charge.
The eBike Top 3.0 can go for 200 miles (321 km) on a single charge. The journey will also be far from being a turtle pace as this 154-lb (70 kg) bike can go as fast as 50 mph (80 kph).
The Top 3.0 has a starting tag price of $6,199. You can customize your bike and pay for the specs you want for your ride. You can choose your frame color, wheels, saddle, and side boxes, plus some extra options.
The Delfast Top 3.0 is definitely a top consideration if you want an e-bike that can be a reliable mode of transportation. According to the manufacturer, the battery can last an estimated 100,000 miles.
Delfast ebike Top 3.0 key specs
- Weight: 154 lb (70 kg)
- Top speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
- Range: 50 miles (80 km)
Delfast ebike Top 3.0 price
- Starts at $6,199
Charge XC
The Charge XC is an electric mountain bike, but it’s so versatile that it’s good on gravel, dirt, or city streets. It comes with a 250-watt motor that offers three riding modes. This bike gives you a range of 50 miles (80 km) on a single charge. Take note this bike has no throttle, but it can get you to a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) with pedal assist.
The Charge XC weighs around 55 lbs (25 kg), including the battery, and can support riders as heavy as 300 lbs (136 kg). If you live in an apartment or just simply don’t have enough storage space, don’t worry because you can easily fold the Charge X.
Charge XC key specs
- Weight: 154 lb (70 kg)
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 50 miles (80 km)
Charge XC 3.0 price
- Starts at $2,499
Italjet Ascot Sport
This is not a motorcycle from the early 1900s, but it sure looks like one! Italjet brings modern technology to classic designs and has one of the coolest electric bikes around, with a look that’ll get motorcycle enthusiasts all revved up. This item is sure to start up a conversation.
The Italjet Ascot Sport is made in Italy (duh), and it looks good! The manufacturer ensured the bike lived up to its standards, providing an elegant design with leather grips, a classic frame, a fancy quartz clock, and more.
You must remember this is not exactly a full-on e-bike, though. It is an electric-power-assisted bicycle. You need to pedal to move forward, but the electric system helps make the ride easier with a slight push. It is convenient when you would rather not get a full-on workout or go up steep hills.
The Ascot Sport may not be the fastest or the cheapest, but it makes up for its downsides in looks!
Italjet Ascot key specs
- Weight: 66 lbs (30 kg)
- Top speed: 15 mph (25 km/h)
- Range: 50 miles (80 km)
Italjet Ascot price
- £3700 (about $5122)
Trefecta URB L1E
If looking cool is your thing, the Trefecta URB L1E would fit in a James Bond movie. It has a futuristic aesthetic, powerful motor, and great range that will have you zoom by pesky cars in style. This bike is bold and stylish, so don’t get it if you plan to go unnoticed.
Also, don’t buy it if you plan on having money in your bank account. This bike costs more than most cars, with a 22,500-euro price tag. That’s over $27,000. Ouch!
It is a marvel, though. The L1E can speed up to 45 km/h in assisted mode. You can also avoid breaking a sweat if you would rather cruise at 40 km/h. You won’t need to recharge all the time, as this bike can go for 100 km on one charge.
Neat, right? I am sure we all want one, but there are other uses for that kind of cash.
Trefecta URB L1E key specs
- Weight: 84 lb (38 kg)
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: 62 miles (100 km)
Trefecta URB L1E price
- 22,500 euros (about $27,000 )
Greyp G12s CORE Carbon
The Greyp G12s CORE Carbon promises to offer pure unadulterated fun. Whether you’re on city streets or have the inkling to go off-road, it will satisfy your need for speed. The G12s CORE Carbon offers 120 Nm of torque and has a top speed of 43 mph (70 km/h).
The Greyp G12s has 75 miles (120 km) of range on a single charge. Charging it on a standard outlet will fully juice it up in just 80 minutes. While on the road, you can also make the most of its regenerative braking feature for some extra energy gain.
The e-bike also has different riding modes that can fit any riding style. The Street mode limits the speed to 15.5 mph (25 km/h), Eco mode regulates it up to 28 mph (45 km/h), and the Power mode gives you the full 12 W power of the electric motor.
Greyp G12s CORE Carbon key specs
- Weight: 108 lb (49 kg)
- Top speed: 43 mph (70 km/h)
- Range: 75 miles (120 km)
Greyp G12s CORE Carbon price
- 9,499 euros ($11,609)
Tern Vektron S10
This folding electric bike comes from Taiwan. You can set it up and go in just 10 seconds. It will do up to 75 miles between charges, which is more than enough for any last-mile commute. It weighs just 49 lbs and measures 40.9 x 86.1 x 65 cm when folded up.
The Tern bike blasted through its Kickstarter goal and is now available for sale. It isn’t cheap, but it could be a much better way to get to work than the metro, and it’s cheaper than using Uber over the year. Compared to some of the more expensive e-bikes on this list, this one is among the more reasonably priced.
Tern Vektron S10 key specs
- Weight: 49 lb (22 kg)
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 75 miles (120 km)
Tern Vektron S10 price
- $3,400
URB-E Pro GT
Forget pedals. This entry on our list of best electric bicycles is fully electric and does not need pedals. Of course, if we are going to list mobility scooters, URB-E has to be mentioned. These were among the first of their kind to go mainstream, and these scooters are pretty awesome.
The URB-E vehicles are small and have tiny tires, which makes them a bit weird to ride. Once you get used to them, they can be fun and convenient. Need to carry (or roll) it around? Just fold it up. Once you are ready to ride, it only takes a few seconds to unfold and get going.
The top-tier model is the URB-E Pro GT, costing $1,999. For nearly two grand, you get a vehicle that can go as fast as 18 mph and has a range of 20 miles.
It can also be equipped with carrying baskets, cup holders, mounts, bells, and more.
URB-E Pro GT key specs
- Weight: 35 lb (16 kg)
- Top speed: 18 mph (29 km/h)
- Range: 20 miles (32 km)
URB-E Pro GT price
- $1,999
Ride1Up 700 Series
If you’re looking for a Class-3 e-bike with high-end features that won’t break the bank, the Ride1Up 700 series has your name on it. For only $1,595, it includes everything you’d expect from a city commuter and more, including fenders, a headlight, and a rear rack.
It has the same specs as the other bikes in this range: a 750W motor with a top speed of 28 mph and a range of 30 miles. But it also has name-brand components you wouldn’t usually find for such an affordable price, such as hydraulic disc brakes from Tektro, a Shimano Acera 8-speed drivetrain, and Schwalbe Super-Moto-X fat tires. A bang-for-your-buck bicycle doesn’t get much better than this.
Ride1Up 700 Series Specs
- Weight: 62 lbs
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: 30 miles (50 km)
Ride1Up 700 Series price
Eskute Voyager
The Eskute Voyager is another entry-level electric bike that sells for $1,200. It uses a 250 W brushless gear hub motor that can give you a cruising speed of 15.5 mph (25 km/h). With a 480 Wh battery capacity, the Voyager gives you a range of more than 62 miles (100 km).
The Voyager’s 27.5-inch tires have an anti-puncture feature. The fork also comes with dual mode, and you can easily switch from non-suspended to suspended by twisting a knob. The bike’s battery pack is also detachable if you do not want to carry the whole bike inside your home.
Eskute Voyager key specs
- Weight: 55 lb (25 kg)
- Top speed: 15.5 mph (25 km/h)
- Range: 62 miles (100 km)
Eskute Voyager price
- $699
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That’s our list of best electric bicycles. Which e-bike is your favorite? Did we miss anything? Tell us in the comments!