E-bike myth busting

Counter-intuitive it may be, but e-bikers typically get more exercise than riders of conventional, analogue bicycles.

Research has found e-bikes encourage riders to cycle more often and over longer distances. For example, a 2019 study followed 10,000 adults across seven European countries and found that on average electric bike riders were getting more exercise than their pedal bike riding counterparts.

E-bikes are heavy

E-bikes come in all shapes, sizes and weights. For example, the Brompton electric folding bike tips the scales at 15.6kg. By contrast, the Babboe Curve electric cargo trike weighs in at 73kg.

There's no escaping the fact that e-bikes are heavier than conventional bicycles. However, electric bikes aren't intended to be ridden without help from the electric motor, so you're unlikely to notice the extra weight unless or until you have to carry it up stairs. Or you break down.

Luckily, you can get breakdown cover for e-bikes and trikes for only £24 per year.

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An e-bike might be too fast for me

An e-bike motor will help you reach just over 15mph. This doesn't mean you can't faster - it's just your legs will need to work harder. However, the great thing for newbies is that you can adjust the level of assistance you get from the electric motor.

It's hard to tell which e-bikes are legal

UK e-bike law might be easier to navigate if there was a catchy name for road-legal electric bicycles. As it is, the officially recognised acronym EPAC (electric power-assisted cycle) hardly trips off the tongue. In simple terms, if your cycle has pedals and an electric motor of no more than 250 watts that cuts out once you’re travelling at 15.5mph (25 km/h), then in the eyes of UK law it’s a bicycle, or to be more precise, an EAPC (electrically assisted pedal cycle).

e-bikes are expensive to service

In general, e-bike motors don't need servicing. For example, the Bosch motors fitted to many models of e-bike are sealed for life and if kept dry will do over 50,000 miles (80,000km) without problem. You might find the heavier weight of the bike means you go through a few more consumable items. Luckily, brake pads and tyres are relatively inexpensive items to replace.

e-bikes are expensive to charge

A full charge for an e-bike can cost as little as 13p although the exact figure depends on your electricity rate, and battery size and age.

Take your e-bike's battery capacity (Wh) divide by 1,000 to get the kWh (kilowatt hours). If you multiply this figure by the kWh rate you're paying your electricity supplier you'll get the price of a full charge. Assuming the battery is completely empty and you give it a full charge.

For example, if the rate you pay is £0.27 per kWh and your battery is rated at 500Wh, it will cost a tad over 13p for a full charge.

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There's a fire risk with e-bike batteries

There are over 100,000 vehicle fires in the UK every year and only a small handful involve e-bikes.

According to the London Fire Brigade: “Many of the fires we are seeing involve batteries which have been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards. We know that lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used, so it’s important to always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.”

Only buy aftermarket lithium ion batteries from a reputable supplier, and always use the correct charger to minimise the risk of the battery overheating.

You have to have insurance for an e-bike

Insurance is not mandatory for e-bikes. However, electric bicycles are expensive to replace and attractive to thieves. Every ETA insurance policy includes theft & accidental damage cover, no-quibble battery theft cover and Cycle Rescue breakdown cover plus many other benefits. Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

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e-bikes are more likely to be stolen

It's true that thieves target e-bikes so it's a good idea to protect yourself with a good cycle insurance policy.

I'm worried I might break down on my e-bike

We launched the UK's first Cycle Rescue service 30 years ago. It costs £24 per year. If your e-bike or electric cargo bike suffers a puncture, mechanical issue, or even a flat battery, we can send a recovery lorry to rescue you.

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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.