E-Bikes

E-Bikes, more popular than ever

Indeed, over the past few years, interest in electric bikes has really taken off. Many cyclists are embracing the tech shift, as shown by the growing number of e-bike models available from nearly every bike manufacturer. One of the main factors driving this growth is the much lower environmental impact of e-bikes compared to other forms of transportation.

This is a global trend, and electric bikes are now used in a wide variety of settings—urban commuting, mountain biking, recreational rides on bike paths or roads, and even local cargo transport.

E-bikes generally fall into two categories.

Most are pedal-assist bikes, which require the rider to pedal. The motor doesn’t do all the work—it just gives a boost. So it’s still a physical activity.

There are also e-bikes with a throttle that the rider can control manually to get power on demand. These bikes also have pedals, but you don’t need to pedal all the time. They’re great for people with mobility challenges or for those who ride only occasionally.

In both cases, the maximum speed allowed under most laws and regulations is 32 km/h or about 20 mph.

Is an electric bike just a traditional bike with a motor?

While electric bikes once looked like regular bikes that had been modified to fit a motor and battery, the technology has come a long way since the 1990s. Today, most e-bikes are designed with a layout that’s nearly identical to that of traditional bikes. With batteries now integrated into the frame and motors built into the crankset or rear hub, electric bikes look just as sleek and stylish as their non-electric counterparts.

Portrait of E-Bike Riders

With the wide variety of e-bikes available today, it’s clear that electric bike users take part in many different types of cycling. Whether you're riding on the road, hitting the trails, or commuting in the city, there’s an e-bike out there for you. In fact, the type of riding you plan to do should guide your choice of electric bike.

If you’re a road cycling enthusiast who wants to ride longer without burning out—or climb tough hills without losing the group—there are e-bikes designed just for that.

For commuters who want to get to work feeling fresh and ready to go, there’s an impressive range of urban e-bikes available, with a variety of configurations to suit different needs.

And for mountain bikers, more and more models now come equipped with electric motors, making it much easier to tackle steep, technical climbs and enjoy the outdoors without holding back.

A Myth Worth Busting

There’s a common misconception that e-bikes don’t contribute to physical fitness. That’s not true. As the name suggests, electric assistance helps you—it doesn’t replace your effort. You still have to pedal and engage physically. The motor just allows you to ride longer and farther without exhausting all your energy. From an aerobic standpoint, doing a moderate effort over a longer period is still great for your fitness.

Electric Motors

While the motor is a key component of an electric bike, it's how you plan to use the bike that should guide your choice of motor type and placement.

Road bikes typically feature rear hub motors, which are relatively lightweight. With appropriately tuned torque and power, these motors are virtually unnoticeable—aside from the slightly larger rear hub compared to a standard one. Their positioning shifts the bike’s weight distribution compared to a traditional bike. Some road or gravel bikes are equipped with mid-drive motors, such as the Nuroad Hybrid or the Domane+ ALR.

Hybrid and mountain bikes usually come with mid-drive motors integrated into the crankset. These motors often offer higher torque, allowing for stronger acceleration and improved climbing capability compared to hub motors. They also help maintain a balanced center of gravity, without shifting weight to the front or rear. However, they tend to be heavier.

Motor Operating System Updates

Depending on the brand and model, the motor’s operating system may need periodic software updates to ensure optimal performance. Make sure your bike is registered with the manufacturer and don’t hesitate to bring it to a certified dealer for maintenance and updates. Some motor brands also offer diagnostic tools that allow technicians to check the motor’s condition and perform any necessary adjustments to keep it running at its best.

Motor Power and Torque – What Do They Mean?

You might be wondering what the numbers in watts (W) or newton-meters (Nm) actually mean when it comes to electric bike motors. Let’s break it down.

Let’s start with power, measured in watts. This refers to the motor’s ability to sustain effort over time at a certain pace.

Then there’s torque that is measured in newton-meters and describes the motor’s ability to deliver quick bursts of force—like when climbing a hill or accelerating from a stop. However, torque will eventually level off at higher speeds when the motor’s power is limited.

For example:
 A 250 W motor with 85 Nm of torque is great for climbing steep hills or getting up to speed quickly. However, on flat ground its top speed will be lower.

 A 500 W motor with 50 Nm of torque doesn’t accelerate as sharply, but it can reach higher top speeds. Of course, that bigger motor will still help you tackle hills without dropping behind your group.

The Battery

The battery is obviously a key component of an electric bike. It’s simple—no battery, no electricity, no e-bike.

Lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, mainly because they store a lot of energy, are lightweight, and have a long life cycle.

Battery capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh). The higher the capacity, the more energy it can store and the longer it can deliver power.

Battery range partly depends on its energy storage capacity, but several other factors also influence it—much like with human effort:

• Cyclist speed. The more the motor is used to maintain higher speeds, the more quickly the battery drains.
• Weather conditions. Strong headwinds increase battery use if power demand stays high.
• Rider and gear weight. Heavier loads require more energy from the battery.
• Terrain. Riding uphill reduces battery range.
• Powered accessories. If the bike has battery-powered front and rear lights or a GPS, they can also affect range.

Quick tip: When riding with a strong tailwind or going downhill, turn off the motor. The motor will always try to assist you regardless of the conditions, so if you're already reaching a good speed, don’t hesitate to deactivate it. This will help extend your battery life for the rest of your ride.

Controls, displays, and computers

Some electric systems are complemented by electronic components that allow controlling or displaying various parameters such as the power requested by the cyclist, the amount of energy remaining in the battery, the level of power used while riding, or the potential distance left to travel before running out of energy.

Controls are the simplest components. Their sole function is to adjust the level of effort requested from the motor and to indicate the amount of energy available in the battery. Often, this information is shown by light bars.

Displays are more complete. In addition to showing the same parameters as the controls but in numeric form, they can show the time and the speed at which you are riding.

Some systems are compatible with applications installed on a mobile phone and allow receiving more information. 

Maintenance and Storage

Just like with any bicycle, maintenance is essential when it comes to electric bikes. The chain, brakes, and tires of an e-bike are subject to greater stress because the bike is heavier and potentially faster than a non-assisted one, so these components require special attention. Ideally, the chain should be lubricated every 200 to 300 kilometers—or more often if you ride in the rain. Some electric bikes have belt-driven drivetrains; in that case, a visual inspection to check for cracks is usually sufficient. If any cracks are present, the belt should be replaced promptly.

Brake performance should be tested regularly, and tires should be inspected visually. In both cases, don’t hesitate to replace them if you notice signs of wear or decreased effectiveness.

The battery should be recharged when it reaches about 20% capacity. During winter, it should be stored at temperatures between 10°C and 25°C and never exposed to extreme heat or cold. Ideally, it should be kept charged between 35% and 80%.

The electrical system—battery and motor—should always be inspected by a qualified technician at least once a year.

Current regulations

It is strongly recommended to check with the agency responsible for enforcing the highway safety code in your province of residence to learn about the regulations related to electric bikes. There may be limits on motor power, requirements to wear a helmet, or a minimum age to use an electric bike.