“I love how versatile they are!” This is what I heard from an e-bike lover cheerfully getting her ride ready for grocery shopping. She went on to tell me how she’s getting around these days, going to work, and even enjoying her weekend fun rides. “I just make sure the battery has enough juice in it. After all, that’s what they are: Electric!” She said.
E-bikes - or Electric bikes - have been haunting me for a while now. I see them on every corner of streets, dirt roads, woods, and beaches in Australia! It seems like these bikes are made to run everywhere.
Electric bikes can be quite addictive! Coming in all shapes, colors, and sizes, they have one thing in common: They are there to cut a dash and add the joy of assistance to your transportation, daily commute, exercise, and even your off-road craze.
See Also: Why Buying an E-Bike Is a Win
Why are electric bikes popular?
Many believe that an e-bike is a combination of a bicycle and a motorcycle, minus the disadvantages of both!
For example, when it comes to e-bikes versus bicycles, it is crystal clear that an e-bike offers a lot more than a bicycle does. E-bikes are easier to ride, and the reason is that you get constant assistance from a motor while pedaling. That option by itself makes your ride more versatile and gives you plenty of varieties of tracks and terrains to ride on.
Not to mention that it also gives more of a modern image to your ride and style, and who wouldn't like that?!
Here is a list of all the upsides of e-bikes compared to other forms of transportation:
E-bikes are Green
With lithium-ion batteries and zero emissions, electric bikes are considered eco-friendly, and they're the number one choice for environmentally conscious commuters in Australia. So it would be good to know that by going electric, you won't be leaving footprints of fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the environment.
Electric bike is easily Portable
Compared to motorcycles, e-bikes are much easier to carry around. As interesting as it sounds, some riders have made it a part of their routine to carry their e-bikes with them onto the metro, bus, and even their cars and RVs so they can use the ride at the destination point. On top of that, folding e-bikes make shifting even easier.
Affordable and Cheap to Maintain
One thing for sure is that an e-bike will cost less than a car or a motorcycle. E-bikes come in a range of prices from less than $1000 to $10,000. But in most cases, if you’re not expecting too much from an e-bike, even a cheap one can do the job.
Besides, as long as you maintain your bike components, especially electric ones, and protect them from bad weather, water, and dirt, you can save good money on maintenance too. Also, having a battery on your bike means you’re officially spared from paying for fuel, and that means lower running costs.
Avoid the traffic with your electric bike
The average commute time in Australia these days includes 40 to 50 minutes of having to slow down or wait in traffic, and this is increasing day by day. That is why most commuters, especially businessmen and women, decide to get around on e-bikes as a transportation solution. Believe it or not, these bikes are taking a part of the load off the city traffic in Australia.
More Power
Unlike a non-electric bicycle, which requires vigorous pedaling and effort, especially on uphill roads, rocky paths, and even soft terrains like beach sand or grass, an e-bike can easily assist you and alleviate most of the struggle from your legs.
Of course, depending on your needs, you will need to choose the right e-bike for yourself. However, no matter which model you are riding, you are most likely to enjoy a long, easy ride that would not be as possible on a regular bicycle.
No Noise
As people see more and more e-bikes on the streets, they're beginning to realize that e-bikes are pretty much doing the same job as motorcycles, minus the noise. Without having to listen to the annoying noise of the engine and with just a bit of pedaling, you can simply let your bike run on the throttle and take you where you want to go in silence.
No Licence, No Insurance
Owning an e-bike in Australia does not require any licence or insurance. That’s because compared to motorcycles, e-bikes are much easier to control due to their lighter weight and simpler mechanism. And this will save you both the trouble and the expenses of officially registering your vehicle and insuring it.
Important things to consider before buying an e-bike?
Let us give you some useful tips for buying an electric bike. Your decision to buy an e-bike is most probably a smart one, but with so many options, models, and features of e-bikes out there in the market, choosing an electric bike can be tricky, and it can get hard for you to know which e-bike will fit you the best. Without an electric bike buying guide, getting the right bike can turn into an endless task of comparisons and confusion.
So, if you want to make sure you are buying the e-bike that will best serve your taste and needs, there are a number of things you have to consider before making your purchase.
Size and Weight
If you already have an e-bike in mind, you should absolutely check the measurements before setting your sights on it.
Most e-bikes are indeed designed in a way that you can adjust their saddle height. But what about other parameters? You cannot change the size of a bike frame if you find it too large or too small after the purchase. Most e-bikes available online have a measurement chart showing the ideal height or weight of the rider.
Also, one more option to consider is the weight of the bike itself. At some point, you might have to lift your bike to load it onto a car or even public transport. You cannot expect an e-bike to weigh as lightly as a regular bicycle. After all, there are electric components like a battery and a motor fitted on it. Plus, most e-bikes have wider and heavier tires than non-electric bicycles, which add to the weight. So, it is very important to check if you will be able to carry or lift it for at least a few seconds when needed.
Battery
A typical e-bike battery usually lasts somewhere between 2 to 4 years, but what differs from bike to bike is the range of the battery, which is, in fact, the distance you can ride your bike before it needs a recharge. However, in most cases, e-bike batteries are designed to cover a long range (60 to 80 km). Yet, whether the bike's battery can do the job or not depends on a few factors.
For example, delivery riders normally end up traveling a longer daily distance than business commuters who only use their e-bikes to avoid traffic. Another example is off-road riders or campers who often stay off the grid for a long time.
So whatever purpose you're buying an e-bike for, be sure that the battery is not going to leave you high and dry when you need it the most.
Safety Features and Accessories
Are you going to need a grocery basket or a cup holder? Does the bike have the proper rack to hold your child’s seat, delivery box, surfboard, etc.? Does it have a secure locking mechanism?
Buying an e-bike is not just about finding the model that feels right. It is also important to think about the features that will make things easier for you.
For example, if you're going to be riding in the dark very often, you’d better go for the bike with integrated front and tail lights that are powered directly by the bike battery itself. Or if you are going to make too many short stops, you ought to choose the bike with a wheel lock that secures your bike effectively.
Saddle and Comfort
Comfort always matters, especially if you're going to be taking long rides frequently. The position of sitting will either make or spoil your day. Compared to most models, there are a few e-bikes that come with larger cushioned saddles and the most ergonomic designs. For example, the DiroDi Rover is one of the popular models in Australia that has a large saddle focused on comfortable riding.
Overall, one way to know about your riding position is to take a test ride that is long enough to ensure that your arms, legs, and back muscles will not be under pressure while cruising.
Price
As mentioned above, e-bikes come in a wide range of prices, from $1,000 to $10,000. If you are not planning on extreme off-road biking, you can find functional e-bikes in Australia that are sold for less than $3,000. These bikes are stylish enough to turn heads and can be ridden on most terrains around the city.
Test-riding and Return Policy
Remember to look for a purchase with a reasonable return policy. It is totally acceptable to change your mind after the purchase and decide to return the bike and get your cash back in your pocket or exchange the bike for another model. So, whatever brand or model you decide on, make sure you will be able to simply ask for a refund if you don’t like the bike.
Furthermore, some brands might pressure you into buying an e-bike without test-riding it. But you should know that even when purchasing an e-bike online, you should be able to test ride it before making the final purchase.
How to charge an electric bike?
First of all, in order to recharge your bike battery, you can simply use any wall socket - the one you plug your phone into. Normally, it takes 3 to 5 hours for your bike battery to reach a full charge. In fact, charging an electric bike battery is much less complicated than charging a car battery.
One upside is that in most bikes, the battery is removable, and that has made it easy for most riders to carry the battery separately into their homes and offices for charging through sockets. The feature of battery portability also has many more advantages, such as protecting the battery from bad weather, dirt, or even theft!
But, much like any regular ion battery, there are some factors you need to keep in mind to give your battery the least damage and the longest possible life.
For instance, in most electric bikes, batteries last longer if you consider recharging as soon as you get the warning on your bike LCD or the battery indicator. Do NOT let your battery discharge down to 0% as it is quite damaging.
Also, you had better not leave your battery charging up to 100%, especially if you intend to store the battery for a while. Your battery will be better off if charged at around 80% or so if it is going to be stored.
Can you ride an electric bike without a battery?
Let’s make this clear: an e-bike without a battery is not useless! It is just a modern-looking regular bicycle. This means that if, for any reason, your bike battery goes flat in the middle of the ride, you can simply continue pedaling only as vigorously as you would on a non-electric heavy bicycle.
Riding without a battery can even be a choice sometimes. It is true that most riders buy e-bikes to be able to get pedal assistance when they need it. But it is also a fact that now and then they feel like pedaling themselves without any aid, and e-bikes give you that flexibility.
3 Classes of E-bikes
As you may have heard, there is a system for classifying electric bikes that is adopted in Australia, just like in many other countries and states.
Class 1 e-bikes (also known as low-speed pedal-assisted e-bikes) are NOT equipped with throttles, and all you get is motor assistance only. The motor in class 1 e-bikes will assist you while pedaling as long as you are going within the speed limit, which is 25 km/h. Once you reach that speed, the motor will stop functioning, but you can go on speeding up by pedaling only, just like riding a regular bicycle.
Class2 e-bikes (also known as low-speed throttle-assisted) already have the option of motor assistance, just like class1. However, there is a throttle too. The throttle is, in fact, what makes a class2 bike more versatile and flexible because it allows your bike to speed up to 25 km/h without your pedalling. In some cases, riders use this option for riding uphill or on difficult tracks where it can be challenging to pedal.
Class 3 e-bikes (also known as speed pedal-assisted) are high-power electric bikes with or without throttles on which your pedaling can be assisted up to 45 km/h.
Due to the feature of higher speed compared to class 1 and 2, class 3 e-bikes are not legal on bike paths or city streets in Australia, and that is one thing you need to take into account while buying an e-bike. A bike shop owner may likely tell you it will be OK to ride a class 3 on city streets. But trust us, once caught, you can be in real trouble!
Still, for adventure seekers who are planning to get their bikes off the road, onto private property, farms, etc., class 3 e-bikes can be an exhilarating experience.
What are the laws and regulations on electric bikes?
Electric bike rules in Australia are not that complicated. If you are going to operate your bike in public streets around the cities in Australia, you need to make sure that the bike motor has only as much power as 250 watts and not more, and remember that the speed limit is 25 km/h.
Apart from e-bike rules, you need to be aware of the general cycling rules as well. For example, you are not allowed to ride abreast with another rider on the street at a distance of more than 1.5 metres.
Also, remember to keep away from the flowing car traffic as long as there is a cycling path.
And more importantly, don’t forget that both you and your passenger must be wearing helmets while riding.
Visit our page to read all about Electric Bike Rules and Regulations in Australia
Do you need a licence for your e-bike?
Overall, when talking about rules and regulations, e-bikes normally have more in common with regular bicycles than motorcycles. So the good news is that no licence or insurance is required for e-bikes in Australia as long as your bike motor power and throttle features fit the rules and limits.
How hard is it to pedal an e-bike?
Some people say e-bikes can be difficult to pedal because they are heavier than regular bikes. Well, e-bikes might be heavy to lift but not that heavy to turn pedalling into a struggle. After all, why would pedalling be hard when the motor is assisting you with it?!
However, some factors may make an e-bike sound difficult to ride in the beginning.
When you try an e-bike for the first time, you might feel like the bike is a bit tricky to handle and adjust. That is mostly because the mechanism seems to be complicated. That can make it uneasy to pedal as well. But as you gain control of the bike, you will see that not only does the pedaling feel smooth and easy, but it also feels even safer to be on an e-bike rather than a non-electric one.
In fact, some riders even make it a habit to switch back and forth to pedaling mode only without motor assistance once in a while to get good exercise out of it.
The Best Voltage for an Electric Bike
Mostly, e-bike batteries come in a voltage range of 24V, 36V, 48V, and 52V. Technically, the higher the voltage, the more power it can provide.
Our suggestion is that if you are not sure what voltage of battery your e-bike should have, you should consider how exactly you expect the bike to serve you.
For example, if you are going to do lots of uphill riding, you are most likely to need power on your bike, and you should go for a battery with at least 48V. A 48V or 52V bike battery will show efficiency and power on dirt-road riding, rocky paths, and any other track which can be considered difficult.
On the other hand, if you are planning to do regular cycling on flat ground in city streets, a 36V or lower-voltage bike battery will probably do the job. However, keep in mind that battery voltage is not the only factor that can affect your bike’s power and efficiency.
How Long Does an E-bike Motor Last?
A motor is the heart of an e-bike and is one of the electric system components that can live longer than any other part, provided that it is maintained carefully. In some cases, it can serve you for 10 years. The interesting fact is that the lifespan of an e-bike motor largely depends on the maintenance of other connected electric parts such as spokes, batteries, etc. So, in order to get the most out of your bike motor, you can:
- Check the spokes regularly in rear-hub or front-drive e-bikes, identify the loose or damaged ones, and replace them.
- Check tire pressure before every 1 or 2 rides, especially if you do long riding.
- Check the gears for faults and keep them clean, remove the dust, and oil them frequently.
Overall, any maintenance habit that lifts the pressure off your bike motor, one way or another, can positively affect the life of this vital component on your bike.
Does the electric bike motor location make a difference?
Each electric bike can have a different type of motor system, each with its pros and cons. Overall, the position of a motor on an e-bike eventually affects the performance as well as the price.
For example, normally bikes with a mid-drive system are the costliest among other types of e-bikes. The reason is that these bikes tend to have a more balanced weight distribution, making them easier and safer to handle. A bike with a mid-drive motor system usually travels a longer distance on a full battery charge compared to rear or front-drive systems. Additionally, with the motor located in the center of the bike frame, it is easy to fix or replace flat tires or damaged wheels as there is no motor mounted on them.
On the other hand, if the motor is fitted at the rear wheel center (Hub-drive e-bikes), the bike will have much more power on uphill or difficult roads. Usually, these bikes will make you feel like you are being pushed. One disadvantage is that in this system, the wheel spokes might get damaged due to the pressure. And clearly, changing a flat tire will be tricky.
There is also a third type called Front-drive or Front-wheel e-bikes, in which the motor is positioned at the center of the front wheel. Similar to the rear-hub system, the front-wheel system may cause weight distribution issues. Additionally, compared to the other two types of motor systems, a front-wheel bike is usually not expected to exhibit powerful performance on mountain tracks or uphill roads. However, it can be a good option for city commuters.
Finally, considering all features and options will help you decide on the best electric bike for yourself. However, remember that nothing beats a test ride to make sure about that decision. You should indeed take into account your budget and future maintenance, but at the end of the day, once you hop on a bike and ride it in a real situation, the right bike will most probably feel right too.
How to Buy the Best Electric Bike in Australia | Complete Guide