Best e-bike for commuting

An e-bike can transform your commute, but before investing, it makes sense to consider the following:

Is the e-bike legal?

If you buy from a reputable online retailer or high street outlet, it’s highly likely you’ll be sold what is known as an EPAC (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle). However, an increasing number of e-bikes are too fast or powerful to be road legal without jumping through regulatory hoops, so it pays to be sure. To avoid the need for certification, registration and a number plate, an e-bike must have a motor no bigger than 250W that works only while pedalling and cuts out automatically at 15.5mph.

What type of e-bike will suit my commute?

Hybrids or town bikes are ideal for commuting because they offer a comfortable upright riding position. Don’t underestimate the value of mudguards and if you have to carry stuff with you to work,  panniers will change your life.

Folding e-bikes work best for multimodal commutes and if you’re short on storage at either end of your journey.

Mountain e-bikes might have seductive looks, but unless your commute includes off-road sections (or is particularly badly affected by potholes) they make less sense than a road-oriented design.

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Range and battery life

E-bikes encourage their owners to ride further and more frequently, which makes them perfect for commuting. Most e-bikes have a range between 20-60 miles, but this varies depending on terrain, rider weight, and level of assist used. The good news is that (with permission) you can recharge the battery at work.

Weather

E-bikes are designed to be waterproof, but they benefit from being stored under cover.

We’ve mentioned them already, but the UK climate is rainy - mudguards will transform your commute for the better. Fitting them to your e-bike is a great investment.

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Maintenance & repair

This is mainly an issue if you buy from an online-only retailer, but check that spare parts for your e-bike are readily available. It’s also useful to know whether local bike shops can repair your model, especially for more technical motor or battery issues.

Costs

Good quality e-bikes start from around £1,500. In terms of ongoing costs, charging costs are negligible and motors are largely maintenance free. Battery life ranges between two and five years, but we know of e-bikes over 10 years that are still running their original battery.

If your employer offers the Cycle to Work scheme, you can make substantial savings on the purchase cost of the e-bike and accessories.

Security

E-bikes are targeted by thieves, so some manufacturers include built-in trackers as well as the ability to disable the motor remotely. However, neither of these options does away with the need for a good quality lock. Look out for recently launched angle grinder-resistant designs. They can't prevent a lock being cut but they frustrate thieves to such an extent that some give up and leave the bike in place. The Achilles Heel of angle grinder-resistant locks is the strength of whatever they are locked to. For example, thieves can quickly cut through railings, remove your bike, and deal with the lock elsewhere and in their own time.

E-bike insurance

The ETA covers all road-legal electric bicycles. And we include battery theft and Cycle Rescue at no additional cost. If your e-bike develops a mechanical fault, puncture or flat battery you can call on our breakdown team 24/7.

Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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