E-bikes are quickly gaining popularity as more and more people dive into riding bicycles. Riding an e-bike is very similar to riding a standard bike, but with a bit of extra available help, making riding more accessible to more people.
For example, a little bit of pedaling assist can help you climb hills, pull your children in a cart, or go longer and harder than you could on your own. And while you’ve probably seen plenty of e-bikes riding around town, you might be wondering, just how fast do electric bikes go?
In this article, we’ll talk about the speed of an electric bike and what affects just how fast an e-bike can go. We’ll also look into how the number of watts produced by the motor affects speed. But first, we’ll take a closer look at the speed of an e-bike.
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What is the Speed of an Electric Bike?
A typical e-bike can go about 20 mph with pedal assist. Some models can even go as fast as 28mph. However, if you want to go above the e-bike speed, you’ll be pedaling the bike on your own.
Some e-bikes use a pedal-assist method to help you as you pedal the bike. Other ebikes use a throttle method, allowing you to use the motor without actually pedaling.
It is essential to note the laws in your area. For example, in Europe, e-bikes can have a maximum output of 250 watts and a top speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph). However, the US is less restrictive, allowing an output of 750 watts and a speed of 32 km/h or 20 mph.
Although there are methods to increase the speed of your ebike, doing so is illegal and potentially dangerous. That being said, there are a few ebikes that have ‘race mode,’ allowing you to reach even higher speeds if you are riding on private property.
It’s vital to understand the laws about ebike speeds where you live. It’s also essential to understand what affects the speed of the ebike you are riding.
What affects the speed of an electric bike?
The motor determines the speed of the bike. However, the weight of the rider also determines how much speed the motor can generate. The heavier the rider, the more the motor has to work and the less speed it can deliver. On the other hand, the lighter the rider, the less the motor has to work and the more speed it can deliver.
So the speed is determined by both the motor and the rider’s weight. So you’ll need a more powerful motor if you are a heavier rider wanting to go faster speeds.
Very hilly or rough terrain can put more resistance on the ebike, requiring more watts to power up big hills or through gravel. In this case, your speed will be reduced just as if you were pedaling the bike yourself.
Although the motor is one of the main factors in determining speed, you also need to take a look at how many watts the motor can produce.
How fast does a 250w, 500w, and 1000w electric bike go?
Under ideal conditions, an electric bike will go faster if it can produce more watts. For example, when comparing an average male rider of about 165 pounds, a 250w e-bike will reach a maximum speed of 20 mph. On the other hand, the same rider on a 500w bike will reach a top speed of 25 mph. The same rider on a 1000w e-bike will go at a max speed of 35 mph.
What is the average range of an e-bike in 2021?
The typical range of an e-bike in 2021 is between 25 and 50 miles.
However, the range of an e-bike is affected by several factors. For example, the more you pedal, the less motor assistance is needed and the longer the battery can last. If you are a heavier rider, the motor will have to work harder and use more battery power. On the other hand, if you climb many hills with your e-bike, that will also eat up more of your battery power than if you were riding on flats or descents.
If you use your e-bike power wisely, you can extend the range much further.
FAQ
What is the top speed of an e-bike?
The fastest known e-bike, an HPC Scout Pro, can go 45 mph. However, although it can ride this fast, e-bikes are limited by law to top speeds of 20mph for class 1 and 2 bikes and 28mph for class 3 bikes in the United States.
Do electric bikes go without pedaling?
Some electric bikes will go without pedaling. Instead, these bikes use a throttle to control the speed of the bike. The use of a throttle is legal in the United States. However, the speed that the bike is allowed to reach is limited by law.
Do you need a license to ride an electric bike?
In most states and countries, you do not need a license to ride an electric bike because of the speed and wattage limits required to be considered a bicycle. However, in some places, you will need a license. Other areas require you to be at least 14 years old to ride an e-bike. You’ll need to find out the specific laws that pertain to your jurisdiction.
How long do batteries take to charge?
According to cynergyebikes.com, it can take anywhere from 3.5 to 6 hours for a depleted battery to charge. However, you don’t have to wait the entire 6 hours as most batteries will charge up to 90% within 2 hours of charging time.
Conclusion
To put it simply, if you’re still wondering how fast do electric bikes go, we can put it like this: e-bikes can go 20 to 28 miles per hour with pedal assist. With the throttle removed for use on private land, you can go faster. You can also go faster if you can pedal the bike that fast without using the motor.
Alex Mwangi is the creator of Outdoor Right and an outdoor enthusiast. During his free time he enjoys riding his road bike or traveling the world looking for his next adventure.
