Electric bikes: Your guide to buying and riding an e-bike

E-bikes have an electric motor and a battery that combine to provide assistance for the rider.

The vast majority of e-bikes sold in Australia are pedal-assist (often called pedelecs), which use an electric motor that only provides assistance when you pedal. The motor has a maximum power output of 250 watts.

The electric motor on an e-bike is located either on the frame near the pedals (known as mid-drive) or at the wheel (hub-drive).

• Mid-drive – the motor transfers power to the chain via the crankshaft, using the e-bike’s gears to optimise performance.
• Hub-drive – the motor is built into the front or rear wheel hub and provides power directly to the wheel.

Mid-drive motors are highly efficient and well suited to hilly terrain, often generating strong torque and working with the gears for easier use on steep inclines. Their mid-mounted position also helps provide good balance.

The main drawbacks are that they’re typically more expensive due to their higher sophistication, and they can put more strain on the chain, which can require extra maintenance, especially when the motor is built into the frame.

Hub-drive motors are less complex and therefore a cheaper alternative. They require very little maintenance and don’t put extra stress on the chain. They do, however, feel different to ride with the weight of the motor at the front or rear wheel. They’re not quite as versatile as a mid-drive motor, but ideal for relatively flat conditions.

In the end, the choice between mid-drive and hub-drive may come down to the type of bike you purchase, based on the riding you intend to undertake.

As with regular bicycles, electric bikes are available in a broad range of categories to suit different applications, such as leisure, commuting and off-road use.

These include compact and folding bikes, cargo bikes that come with a range of accessories to carry anything from kids and dogs to the weekly groceries, dedicated road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes that are perfect for a mix of on-road and off-road riding.

More: The ultimate guide to gravel biking

Given their electric hardware, e-bikes typically cost more than a regular bicycle. Prices can differ greatly depending on whether you’re looking for a child- or adult-sized e-bike, and whether it’s a basic or more highly specified model with a quality battery.

For kids, pricing starts from about $400 for a basic model. For adults, electric bikes in Australia can range between $800 and $12,000.

You get a basic bike and battery at the entry level. Spending more will typically bring an improved bike design, wheel guards, a higher output from the electric motor and a better-quality battery with a higher energy density (for a longer range).

The more expensive models will generally have further upgrades to the e-motor and battery, a high-end design, a better display with extra features, and other amenities.

As forementioned, a mid-drive motor usually carries a premium over a hub-drive motor on a comparable e-bike.

Checking online reviews and studying the prices at major retailers will also help narrow down the choices.

Anyone who is used to riding a regular bicycle should have little trouble making the transition to an e-bike. It is not considered a motorcycle and you don’t need a licence to ride one. 

Pedal-assist e-bikes, which are the most common type, should be immediately familiar and offer a similar riding experience to a normal bike.

In all cases, e-bikes do have a different feeling. They’re typically heavier but require less effort to ride than a normal bike given the electric assistance.

The responsiveness and higher speeds may take some familiarisation, but you can dial up or down the amount of assistance the motor provides by using the controller on the bike. More assistance means your battery will deplete more quickly; less assistance means a longer range and a better physical workout.

It may help to start out in a flat, open area and have only a little (or no) electric assistance at all until you are moving along steadily and feel comfortable and well in control of the bike before dialling it up.

More: Ride your bike to work: 10 tips for cycling in the city

Regulations in Australia require that the electric motor on pedal-assist e-bikes has a speed limit of 25km/h.

So, when you’re pedalling along and reach that limit, the e-motor will stop providing assistance. A rider can still pedal faster if they have the energy, but not by using the motor.

With any electric bike, the maximum speed you can reach is dependent on a broad range of factors, such as the weight of the rider and the bike and the conditions in which you’re riding, including the weather and terrain.

Once fully charged, most e-bikes will give you a range of between 40-60km.

The range will depend on various factors, the most important being battery capacity. This is usually measured in watt hours (Wh), with many bikes offering between 400Wh and 500Wh, and top-of-the-range models reaching 600Wh.

As a general rule, you can divide the watt hours by 10 to give an approximate range – 400Wh giving you 40km, for example. However, the distance you can travel on a single charge will also depend on factors such as your weight, the bike’s weight, cargo, how much you pedal, the power setting you use, wind strength and direction, temperature, terrain and battery age.

You can recharge your electric bike’s battery by plugging in the cable charger to a standard domestic power point. Charge times will vary depending on your e-bike and battery, but a full charge can take from three to six hours. 

If your house has solar panels, a storage battery or is connected to any other renewable energy source, the environmental benefits of owning an e-bike and recharging it from home are clear. As with any electric device that contains a lithium-ion battery and requires charging, always practice safe charging behaviours in the home to avoid the risk of fire.

On the road, you can carry a portable e-bike charger, which can vary in price, voltage, speed and size depending on your purchase. 

RACV's Bike Assist service also covers electric bikes, providing help in an emergency.

More: Guide to lithium-ion battery fires and how to stay safe

Lithium-ion batteries fitted to e-bikes should provide several years of trouble-free cycling. Major retailers suggest that an e-bike battery can last anywhere between three and nine years.

However, there are many variables at play here. Beyond charging frequency, battery longevity tends to hinge on other factors such as quality of manufacture, loads applied when cycling and where the bike is kept (preferably in a cool place).

Other recommendations include not fully depleting the battery on a regular basis and not charging it repeatedly between 80-100 per cent. When storing an e-bike for an extended period, manufacturers also suggest leaving it with around 60 per cent charge.

You can test the quality of your battery using a multimeter to measure the voltage, comparing this with the battery's specifications. Your local bicycle mechanic will be a good reference point here.

Replacement batteries vary considerably in price depending on the brand and size, ranging from about $350 at the entry level to $1000 on premium e-bikes with a larger power pack.

In Victoria, e-bikes are classified under the same rules for riding a bicycle. This includes rules such as wearing a helmet, where riding is permissible, and using lights for riding at night.

You don’t need to register an e-bike in Victoria, providing it meets the legal requirements governing power output, maximum speed and other specifications. You can find these on the Transport Victoria website.

More: The must-know cycling road rules to keep riders, motorists and pedestrians safe

As the rules for e-bikes and bicycles are the same, you may find that electric assistance opens up a whole new world of destinations with the ability to complete longer journeys in a shorter amount of time.

Head to one of Melbourne’s best bike trails, cycle on a regional Victorian biking tour, start riding to work or simply enjoy a leisurely ride on your e-bike on a shared bike path or bike lane.

Download the RACV’s Arevo app, which has dedicated bike maps, and start planning your journey!

Whichever e-bike you choose, remember that it still needs regular charging, maintenance and servicing to keep you and others safe on your next ride.

If you want to help protect your electric bike when it's away from your home, consider adding Portable Items Cover as an optional extra to your RACV Contents Insurance policy.