What is an electric bicycle?

An electric bicycle is a bicycle with an additional electric motor drive. In Germany, the terms electric bicycle, e-bike and pedelec are used synonymously. Pedelec (word fusion for Pedal Electric Cycle) is an artificial word from the year 1999. It was created to distinguish wheels with automatic pedal support from those with a throttle grip, such as mopeds. The special thing about e-bikes is that the rider is only supported by the engine if he actively pedals himself. So the rule of thumb is: If you want to get ahead, you have to do some leg work! In Germany, pedelecs with a maximum speed of 25 km/h are legally equivalent to a bicycle and therefore not subject to a driving licence; in this case there is no obligation to carry a licence plate, liability insurance, driving licence or helmet. Depending on the power of the engine, even 45 km/h can be reached. For such so-called speed pedelecs, however, other approval regulations apply. Here are moped insurance plates, driver’s license and helmet mandatory.

What do you do with an electric bicycle?

Electric bicycles are enjoying growing popularity in Germany. Electromobility on two wheels has long since been introduced, while drivers can still dream of it. But what exactly does one do with an electric bicycle? Who are they for?

E-bikes: good for health and the environment

Originally, the marketing of electric bicycles was primarily aimed at older people who can no longer muster as much pedaling power, but who at the same time are not yet fully equipped. want to do without their bike as a means of transport. However, there has been a trend reversal here, because e-bikes are becoming more and more popular and this seems to be a general, age-spanning trend in Germany. The advantages of bikes are also obvious for young people – and that’s a good thing: Studies show that pedelec owners cover significantly more and longer distances than normal bike owners and ride three times as many bikes as normal cyclists. If you cycle a lot, you’re doing something for your health. Thanks to the support via motor, you always drive in the optimum power range. The pedelec is your personal fitness trainer: cardiovascular system, pulse, muscles and joints are always trained in the optimal range. Regular e-bikers can demonstrably achieve a lower resting pulse and the pounds also tumble due to the constant movement. Pure fitness! And apart from that, as an e-biker you are doing something good for the environment: Pedelecs are motor-driven, but e-bikers drive less cars, produce less CO2 and create less traffic jams and more parking space in the cities. Your fellow human beings will also benefit from your electric mobility on two wheels.

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Different pedelecs – different target groups

Suit wearers can ride their bikes to work relaxed in the morning despite the strict dress code. You are in the fresh air, you arrive faster because you can avoid traffic jams and, thanks to the additional drive, you don’t need a shower after arriving at the office. Cyclists who have to carry luggage or loads will also appreciate the drive, as it makes it easier to climb inclines and fight against headwinds. Meanwhile e-bikes are available for all purposes: The City-Bike version for cruising through the city; speed pedelecs with a Maximum speed of 45 km/h for those who want to reach their destination faster; but also trekking e-bikes with a more powerful engine for tours and longer excursions. Here everyone will find what they are looking for!

What should I bear in mind when buying an electric bicycle?

If you are interested in a pedelec, but have not yet owned your own e-bike, research on the Internet will help you get a first overview of the e-bike market. Perhaps you also know electric bike owners in your circle of acquaintances who can share their experience with you. When buying an electric bicycle, you will not be able to avoid visiting a specialist dealer and taking one or two test rides.

The fact is, an electric bicycle costs more than a normal bicycle – both in purchase and in maintenance. If you are thinking about buying an e-bike, however, you should fairly compare the maintenance and operating costs with those of a small motorcycle or car. In itself you don’t have to make a big calculation here, because it is obvious that the pedelec is the much cheaper and more environmentally friendly option here.

The purchase decision must not be a snapshot!

Apart from technical aspects such as type of drive and battery, you should first be clear about what you need the bike for. What are your requirements? Do you have to transport the bike if you want to go on holiday and you want to do a longer tour, or do you have to lift the bike in order to accommodate it in your apartment? These are important basic requirements when it comes to the weight of your bike. It must also be clarified whether you need a bicycle trailer for transporting loads. The speed variant, which can be set to 45 km/h, is therefore already on the outside, because for safety reasons they are not allowed to drive any trailers. Finally, the theoretically calculated bike does not necessarily suit you in practice. Try it out for yourself!

How does an electric bicycle work?

A pedelec is a regular bicycle with the difference that it also has a motor drive. Accordingly, the purchase price is higher than that of a normal bike, but the mechanical abrasion of the e-bike is similar to that of a normal bike. It is advisable to subject your electric bicycle to an annual inspection and maintenance. The costs here are around 100 euros – including wear parts to be replaced. The biggest cost factor is probably the wear of the battery, depending on the type, the batteries have about 500 to 1000 charging cycles.

The heart of the Pedelecs: Motor including battery

A force sensor measures the pedalling speed of the cyclist. The sensor thus determines the current driving speed and supports the e-biker accordingly. This is the so-called support mode, which can be adapted to your fitness and power reserves. When you run out of breath, you can turn it on. Via the display on the handlebar you can control the support mode, here you can also see the battery status. The battery is simply charged on the mains and should be well maintained by you. Lithium-ion batteries are mostly used in pedelecs. The good thing about it is that these batteries do not have a memory effect and partial charges of the battery are not harmful. If you use your electric bike daily, it is a good idea to purchase a second charger so that you can charge the battery both at home and in the office.

Which factors influence the range of the battery?

One load is enough under optimal Conditions for a distance of up to 200 km. It is, of course, crucial how much you pedal yourself as a cyclist. In addition, headwind can either make your life difficult or it can play tailwind into your cards and push you faster. The weight to be transported on the bike also plays a role, i.e. not only the weight of the rider but also the weight of luggage and loads to be transported. Frequent braking decelerates you and you have to start and accelerate again, this not only costs you strength, but also pulls on your battery. Therefore, make sure that the driving style is as even as possible.

What designs are there and what distinguishes them?

The electric bike makes life easier for the cyclist. The different types of e-bikes provide relief and comfort in a wide variety of situations. Three different versions are presented below.

The City-Comfort E-Bike – riding fun guaranteed!

This copy is your faithful companion on your way to work, school or university. It is perfect for city trips and shopping. The City version focuses on comfort: the wheels have good suspension and a comfortable saddle so that you can get from A to B as comfortably as possible. They usually have a motor with a maximum power output of 250 watts and reach speeds of up to 25 km/h. These models are equivalent to the regular bicycle and you can couple bicycle trailers accordingly.

The

s-Pedelecfor the speedsters

The Speed Pedelecs have more than twice the motor capacity, so they can reach a speed of 45 km/h with around 500 watts. Legally speaking, these models are no longer bicycles, but rather mopeds for which you need at least a moped driving licence. In addition, insurance, registration plates and helmets are mandatory. Cycle paths may not be used, nor may these fast-paced specimens be fitted with trailers or child seats. The Speed Pedelec reaches twice as high speeds as its City colleague, consequently the device is more stressed, the frames and brakes are therefore more stable and more efficient.

Trekking e-bikes for the big tour

The Trekking e-Bikes are also characterized by a more stable, robust frame. They have a sportier format with an extended seating position, making them ideal for longer trips and tours. Technically, they are therefore equipped with a powerful engine and a very good lighting system to bring you so well over stick and stone to your destination.

advantages and disadvantages

The Pedelecs provide the tired cyclist with support during long and strenuous rides in case of weakness. This is very advantageous, because you can cover longer distances but exhausting distances without running out of breath. The different types of bikes also help you to get the right support for your needs. Accordingly, pedelecs have spread across all ages and have even gained acceptance among younger, sporty city dwellers, who can commute to work more relaxed in suits.

On the other hand, there is the big price disadvantage. This is because the purchase price is lower than that of a regular Very high. It is important to consider for what purposes you would like to purchase the motorised bicycle. In the case of a defect, it is also almost impossible to repair the device yourself, as it is a technically quite complex device. A visit to a specialist is needed here.

bottom line

You should be aware of the purposes for which you need the e-bike. Is it pure comfort gain with errands in the city or can you commute so sporty to work and save yourself the gym and car. It is certainly very good that Pedelecs can displace cars from the cities and avoid traffic jams. One does something good not only for oneself, but also for the environment and one’s fellow human beings. For you personally, the only thing that is ultimately important is that your personal bill works out and that the gain in comfort that you have bought at great expense pays off in the long run.

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