Pedal-Assist Bikes: All Electric Or Not?

There are two types of electric bikes: those with a throttle and those with pedal assist. While all e-bikes must have operable pedals, not all are pedal-assisted. Pedal-assist bikes provide a power boost to conquer hills, ride further and faster, and get a good workout. They are the perfect option for those who are still after the feeling of riding a more conventional bike.

Electric bikes with throttles

While all e-bikes must have operable pedals to be classified as electric bicycles, the addition of a throttle offers an alternative mode of propulsion. Throttle-controlled motors can be mounted to an otherwise non-electric bicycle, providing flexibility in how the bike is used.

One of the key advantages of electric bikes with throttles is the freedom and functionality they offer. Riders can choose to pedal as they would on a traditional bike or engage the throttle for a more effortless ride. This blend of options caters to different riding preferences and abilities, making e-bikes with throttles accessible to a wider range of individuals.

However, it is important to note that, at least in the UK, e-bikes with throttles are not currently road legal and can only be ridden on private land with the landowner's permission. Despite this restriction, the popularity of throttle e-bikes continues to rise, with many riders valuing the convenience, performance, and sustainable mobility that they offer.

Electric bikes with pedal assist

Pedal-assist bikes are available on all types of e-bikes, from electric mountain bikes to casual beach cruisers. No matter how many levels of assistance the bike has or what those levels are called, their purpose remains the same: to propel the e-bike forward. Like traditional bike gears, an e-bike pedal-assist system makes it easier to pedal, but with power from the motor.

It should be noted that, in order to be classified as electric bicycles, all e-bikes must have operable pedals. As such, most e-bikes function through pedal assist, with some having additional throttles. Many e-bikes offer both throttle and pedal assistance for a range of applications in different environments.

At least in the US, e-bikes are separated into three classes or categories. This class system plays a significant role in regulating their legal use in specific areas or on specific paths. It's also important to note that all e-bikes feature pedal assist, but by definition, only Class 2 e-bikes (and, technically, some out-of-class models) have a throttle.

How pedal assist works

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are bicycles with a motor that can assist the rider with pedalling. There are two types of e-bikes: those with a throttle and those with pedal assist. E-bikes with a throttle can be ridden with barely any need to pedal at all, whereas a pedal-assist e-bike feels like riding a normal bike but with more power.

Pedal-assist bikes provide a power boost to help riders conquer hills, ride further and faster, and get a good workout. They work by making pedalling easier, with power from the motor. Like traditional bike gears, an e-bike pedal-assist system makes it easier to pedal, but with power from the motor. The rider can still get pedalling, but if they need a little boost, the e-bike’s got them.

The level of assistance can be adjusted on the bike’s display, and set to the right level for the rider. The number of levels of assistance varies between bikes, but their purpose remains the same: to propel the e-bike forward. The two systems can also work in tandem.

In the US, e-bikes are separated into three classes or categories. This class system plays a significant role in regulating their legal use in specific areas or on specific paths. It should be noted that, in order to be classified as electric bicycles, all e-bikes must have operable pedals.

How to use pedal assist

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are bicycles that have an electric motor to assist with pedalling. There are two types of e-bikes: those with a throttle and those with pedal assist. E-bikes with a throttle require barely any need to pedal, whereas a pedal-assist e-bike feels like riding a normal bike but with more power.

Pedal assist is available on all types of e-bikes, from electric mountain bikes to casual beach cruisers. The purpose of pedal assist is to propel the e-bike forward, making pedalling easier. The system works in tandem with the traditional bike gear system, with the power coming from the motor.

To use pedal assist, you will need to find the pedal assist on the bike's display and set it to the right level. This will give you a power boost to conquer hills, ride further and faster, and get a good workout. You can still get pedalling, but if you need a little boost, the e-bike will help you.

The benefits of pedal assist

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are bicycles that have an electric motor to assist with pedalling. There are two types of e-bike: those with a throttle, and those with pedal assist. All e-bikes feature pedal assist, but not all have a throttle.

Pedal-assist bikes provide a power boost to help riders conquer hills, ride further and faster, and get a good workout. Here are some of the benefits of pedal assist:

• Riders can cover greater distances on a single charge with a pedal-assist e-bike. This is because the rider is actively contributing to the propulsion of the bike, reducing the draw on the battery.
• Pedal-assist e-bikes tend to be lighter than bikes with throttles, which provides the added benefit of greater battery efficiency and range.
• The power assistance from the motor only kicks in as you pedal, making acceleration and deceleration more gradual and predictable. Throttle-controlled e-bikes can feel more abrupt when accelerating, which may pose a safety risk in certain situations.
• Riders can enjoy a moderate to heavy level of exercise, improving cardiovascular health, muscle strength (particularly in the legs), core engagement, and overall fitness level. In contrast, e-bikes with throttles allow riders to rely solely on motor power, reducing or even eliminating the fitness benefits.
• Pedal-assist bikes are great for giving independence to people with mobility issues.
• With the different pedal-assist modes, riders can choose how hard they want to work.

Frequently asked questions