E-bike popularity is on the rise. Even after the pandemic "bike boom" — which some people thought would be a fleeting trend — consumers are still eager to buy electric bikes.
One reason e-bikes are such a hit: They're a great way to get to and from work.
Commuting isn't fun for everyone. Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic in your car? No thanks. Cramming into a crowded subway car? Nope.
With an electric bicycle, you can enjoy a smooth ride without these hiccups — just one of the many benefits of e-bikes. Discover our favorite reasons to e-bike to work below.
1. It’s safe
E-bikes are equipped with an electric motor that propels them forward at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour (depending on the class of e-bike). Riders can control how much help they get from the motor by adjusting the bike's pedal assist levels.
Some e-bikes also come with built-in throttle assist. This means the bike motor can move the bike forward, even if the rider isn't pedaling.
Throttle and pedal assist allow riders to keep pace more easily when riding alongside cars. This enhances safety for city commuting by allowing seamless integration into traffic flow.
Plus, the e-bike motor allows for fast starts and acceleration. If you're waiting at a light and need to take off quickly when it turns green, the motor can help you get the jumpstart you need. Again, this helps you keep up with traffic and stay safe.
PS: For maximum safety when e-bike riding, always wear a helmet! This guide to helmet laws includes a section on picking and fitting a helmet.
You can also take some other steps to make your bike safer. For example, if it doesn't come with integrated lights, adding front and rear lights will help improve visibility at night.
2. Arrive less tired and sweaty
When you're biking to work, you don't want to show up exhausted and sweaty. With an e-bike, you can arrive at work fresh. Simply engage the throttle or pedal assist, and let the powerful motor do the work, so you don't have to.
Some e-bikes also offer a "walk mode" to help conserve energy. This powers the bike forward when you're pushing it (for example, along a busy city sidewalk). Both Velotric's Discover 1 e-bike and Nomad 1 e-bike have walk mode.
3. It saves on gas and transport costs
Commuting to work can be pricey. If you drive yourself, you have to pay for gas. If you use public transportation, like a bus or subway, you have to pay for tickets. Paying for a ride-hailing service like Uber can also rack up costs fast.
A commuter electric bike is an affordable alternative. You don't have to pay for gas since e-bikes rely on battery power. Velotric's e-bikes reach maximum battery capacity in just six hours on a charger, so you can easily recharge during your workday.
4. It’s great exercise
Yes, an e-bike's motor can help make your ride easier, less strenuous, and more comfortable — but that doesn't mean you can't get in a good workout with an e-bike.
E-biking has been proven to provide a good cardiovascular workout, which can strengthen the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. The activity qualifies as "at or near moderate intensity," meaning you'll still feel the burn when you ride.
The pedaling motion of e-biking can also help you build muscles in your legs, especially the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves. At the same time, e-biking is a low-impact exercise that doesn't put stress on delicate joints like knees and ankles.
In fact, e-biking is considered a great exercise for seniors for exactly this reason, and is often recommended as a low-impact exercise for arthritic knees.
5. Arrive faster than a traditional bike
With the help of an e-bike motor, you can arrive to work faster than with a regular bike. Exactly how fast an e-bike can go depends on its class.
A class 1 or 2 e-bike can go up to 20 mph (note that a class 2 e-bike has throttle assist, which a class 1 e-bike doesn't). Meanwhile, a class-3 e-bike can reach a top speed of 28 mph. Velotric's Discover 1 and Nomad 1 are both class 2 e-bikes.
That said, the time it takes to get to work will depend on factors like your route. This guide to successful e-bicycle commuting provides pointers for planning your route.
6. It’s good for the environment
As a commuting cyclist, you're also helping the planet. Electric road bikes don't need gas and don't burn fossil fuels, so they aren't creating toxic emissions. The bike's battery provides the power the vehicle needs.
Your trek to work can help protect the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. The best electric bikes are also very quiet, so they don't contribute to noise pollution.
7. Commute further with less effort
Thanks to the help that the e-bike's integrated battery provides, you can also ride further on an e-bike. If you're feeling tired, just switch on the pedal or throttle assist and keep going.
Thus, an e-bike allows for lengthier commutes, covering distances that might be too tedious for a standard bike.
For example, the Discover 1 can reach a maximum range of 65 miles, while the Nomad 1 has a maximum range of 55 miles. Why the difference? The Nomad's range is shorter because the bike is heavier, draining the battery life faster.
This also highlights one of the other ways e-bikes make your commute less strenuous: Different bike styles suit different needs.
For example, a folding bike is a great pick if you want to take the subway for part of your commute and bike the rest of the way. A cargo bike may be preferable if you have lots of gear to lug to and from work.
An off-road bike is optimal for riding in a park. An electric mountain bike (e-mtb) has full suspension instead of just front suspension, making it more durable.
8. Take advantage of possible tax breaks
Worried that the best commuter bikes will be out of your reach financially? Rest assured, there are many quality, affordable e-bikes on the market.
On top of that, you may be able to get tax breaks when you drive an e-bike. While there isn't a federal tax credit for purchasing an e-bike (yet!), many states have their own policies. This guide covers the basics.
9. Don’t worry about finding or paying for parking
Parking is yet another cost associated with commuting to work that can add up over time. On top of that, if your work doesn't have a designated parking area, you're stuck with the hassle of finding a space. Talk about a waste of time!
With an e-bike, there's no need to stress about finding or paying for parking. You can simply stash your bike in your office. The walk mode feature can help you maneuver your bike when walking it along sidewalks and through crowds.
10. It’s fun
Here's a crazy thought: What if it were possible to actually enjoy your morning commute? What if, instead of stressing about parking or dreading the crowded subway car, you actually looked forward to it?
With an e-bike, you might find that commuting can be fun. When you don't have to deal with stressors like traffic jams, you can truly enjoy the ride.
We aren't just saying this to convince you: Scientific studies show that people enjoy e-biking (really)! This research shows that people's enjoyment levels when riding an e-bike are greater than when riding a standard bike.
Researchers aren't exactly sure why this is, but they theorize that it’s because people can fall back on throttle or pedal assist when they're tired. As a result, the ride isn't a drag. It's fun!
Discover the best e-bike for you from Velotric
From providing a great workout to minimizing your carbon footprint, e-cycling to work has many advantages.
Of course, before you can use an e-bike for your daily commute, there's one VERY important step to take: Find the right commuter e-bike! Velotric bike shop has you covered, with different bike styles to fit different needs.
Our Discover 1 e-bike has slim tires, ideal for city streets, while our Nomad 1 e-bike has fat tires well-suited for rough outdoor terrain. Both bikes have five-level throttle and pedal assist — and the removable battery fully charges in just six hours.
The Discover and Nomad each have a rear hub motor. The Discover's motor is 500/900W rated/peak, while the Nomad's motor is 750 rated. Check out our guide to e-bike motors to learn more.
Both the Discover 1 and Nomad 1 come in two models to accommodate all riders. The Step-Thru (Step-Through) model is for heights 5’1” to 6’4”, while the High-Step model is for heights 5’6” to 6’9”.
Once you get the right bike, it's still important to adjust elements like the seat post and handlebars to ensure the right riding posture. Find out how to fit your bike to your body.
What about the drivetrain specs? The Nomad has a Shimano 8-speed rear derailleur, while the Discover has a Shimano 7-speed rear derailleur.
The Discover and Nomad also come with hydraulic disc brakes from Shimano, allowing for clean stops, and offer safety features like front and rear fenders, reflectors, and a bell.
Plus, you get a rear rack that can hold your pannier and easily stash your work bag, ensuring a comfortable ride. The sturdy kickstand means you can easily rest the bike when it’s not moving.
Last but not least, Velotric bikes and batteries are certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL 2271), a top global safety standards organization. Velotric also offers a one-year warranty, so you can rest assured that you're getting a quality bike.