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Electric bikes and electric scooters are two of the fastest growing categories in the electric bicycle industry. Both offer similar benefits, but which one should you choose?
Electric bikes and electric scooters are both great handy option for getting around town. There are many types of electric bicycles and electric scooters.
But if you’re trying to decide between an electric bike and an electric scooter, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before deciding.
They vary based on their battery capacity, the motor size, the frame design, and other factors.
In this blog post, I will cover the differences between these two popular forms of eBikes and electric scooters.
An electric bike has pedals while an electric scooter does not. This gives the rider control over their average speed.
Also, electric bikes usually come equipped with brakes as opposed to just foot brakes.
While both require pedaling to move forward, only an electric bicycle uses pedal assist technology to provide additional power to make up for lost energy from slowing the wheels by braking.
An electric scooter doesn’t use pedals, instead relying solely on hand levers to propel itself along. It also doesn’t have brakes.
The lack of pedals allows riders to push themselves harder because they don’t have to stop every time they wish to slow down.
However, no brake forces riders to rely on momentum alone. They must constantly balance against gravity to avoid falling off the electric vehicle of choice.
Between options and how fast they go, electric quality bikes can be much faster than electric scooters. The average top speeds for most models is about 20 mph or more.
Most people would never have a fun ride at that speed without being assisted by an electric motor. In comparison, electric scooters max out at 5-7mph.
Also, since electric bikes do not depend on friction like regular motorcycles, they can travel farther distances when compared to a traditional motorcycle.
For example, some conventional bikes can reach 100 miles per charge. That’s double what the same amount of electricity could achieve with an electric scooter.
Both electric bikes and electric scooters offer safety features. However, electric bikes are safer because of their ability to handle hills better than electric scooters.
They often built electric bikes safety with higher centers of mass, giving them greater stability. Allowing them to climb steeper inclines and maintain their composure even under heavy loads.
On the flip side, electric scooters are lighter weight vehicles, allowing them to speed up quickly.
But they aren’t nearly as stable as heavy-duty electric bike. That means they may wobble dangerously when going downhill or encountering rough terrain.
Electric bikes and electric scooters are both electric-powered mode of transport devices, but their use and maintenance are different.
Electric bikes are most often used on paved, hard road surface or bumpy road with a powerful motor that can be up to 750 watts. This motor propels the hybrid bike and allows the e-scooter rider to climb hills with ease.
Electric scooters are most often used on crowded city streets, often with a smaller motor that can be up to 500 watts. A 500-watt motor powers a scooter at a speed of approximately 15 miles per hour, which is limited in most cities.
This comparison has to do with two different models of electric transportation options: electric bicycles and electric scooters.
Electric bicycles and scooters both offer a viable alternative to the use of fuel-powered kinds of vehicles and can help you save money and stay fit while daily commuting to and from work or school.
An electric bike is a bicycle that has a small motor to assist the rider when pedaling. A higher cost scooter is a motorcycle that has two or three wheels and a platform for the rider.
Because they both run on electricity, average e-bike and e-scooters both cost less than more traditional vehicles.
However, the cost of an e-scooter will be more than a premium e-bike. In terms of comfort, an e-bike is more comfortable ride than an e-scooter because it has a larger seat and more suspension.
Electric bikes are more advanced than electric scooters. They are more advanced because they are bigger, faster, and can hold more weight.
There are several factors that affect the battery life of an electric bike, including the battery size, the battery replacement type, the amount of power used, and the type of terrain the complete standard bike will be used on.
The lighter weight electric bike batteries usually last the longest because they don’t have to power as much. To give you an average time, the best one can last up to 100 miles.
Electric bikes have a range of 20 to 40 miles per charge, while electric scooters have a range of 15 to 20 miles per charge.
There are pros and cons to each type of larger vehicle. As you consider your excellent option, keep these things in mind. Then, decide if one works best for your personal needs.Pro 1–Safety
Since electric bicycles are designed specifically for cycling around town, they’re easier to maneuver through heavy traffic and onto sidewalks.
They’re much less likely to cause accidents than other types of two-wheeled vehicles.
They are also easy to park and store away when not in use. Also, unlike most mopeds, electric bicycles don’t require special driver licenses or insurance policies.
Con 2–Cost
Compared to heavy-duty electric scooters, electric bicycles cost considerably less money. But this price difference isn’t always enough to justify purchasing a bicycle over riding a foldable scooter.
Some models start at $600 while others will set you back thousands of dollars.
Note: So before making any final decisions, calculate all costs associated with owning either device. It might just save you from buying something you’ll regret later.
If your goal is simply short distance travel or traditional bike for commuting, then any type of pedal-assist eBike can work well.
But if you want something that’s really going to help you get where you want to go with less effort and stress, it might be best to look at some more powerful models.
This means looking into full suspension utility E-bikes, or even mid-drive model like we’ve tested here.
The important thing to keep in mind when choosing whether to buy a full sized electric bike or high end electric scooter is that they all have strengths and weaknesses.
The excellent choice comes down to what kind of riding do you plan to do most often is how far will you ride each day and how much money are you willing to spend on larger batteries and accessories.
Moreover, you should also read our previous comparison article of 500 watts vs 750 watts electric bikes.