We’ve previously covered how ebikes work but there is still some confusion on the difference between an electric bicycle and a motorized bike. Both are two-wheeled vehicles with similar sounding names but are very different on legal requirements, benefits, and riding style.
It’s quite easy to differentiate the two with a simple assessment of how it looks and functions. An electric bike looks very similar to any regular bike -- like the ones you learned to ride from as a kid. If you take a look at our ebike cruiser, it looks almost like it’s non-electric cousins. An ebike has the same general components that make up a bicycle: pedals, handlebar, gears, shifters, chain drive, and a bike frame. What makes it different from a regular bike is the electric part of the setup, namely a motor, the control system for the motor and a battery to power it all. Typically, electric bike batteries are between 250 and 750 watts, meaning they put out about 20 to 50 volts and 10 to 12 amps. Our Cruiser Bikes uses lithium batteries, which lasts longer and charges faster than lead-acid batteries. The battery powers the bike’s motor, giving you an extra boost which may feel as being pushed. Some ebike models have the motor setup in the rear part, or what may be known as “rear hub” setup. Other ebikes have what is called a “mid-drive” motor which sits in the middle of the bike and engages the drivetrain. The big difference is important because it means the motor interacts with the ebike’s gears the same way you would. Avid bikers switching to ebikes tend to gravitate towards the mid-drive, recreational users and those with minor disabilities tend to favor the rear hub as the control system is typically not dependent on operator input.
With ebikes, you can either choose to pedal the ebike by yourself or let its motor assist you with the required force to move. The pedal assist also comes in “levels'' which allows you to control how much assistance you get from the motor.
A motorized bike, on the other hand, is almost like a light motorcycle, scooter, or moped. While some are electric, others are still gasoline or internal combustion powered. It allows you to drive without any physical efforts at all. Motorized bikes are on the heavier side and can weigh about hundreds of pounds, which would make it impossible to power with your feet. Depending on the state, a motorized bicycle can be classified as a moped or motorcycle based on the speed and power of the engine. Some states require insurance, license, and registration to operate a motorized bicycle.
Electric Bicycle | Motorized “Bicycle” | |
Weight | 50-70 pounds | 100 pounds or more |
Pedalability | Very easy | Very difficult |
Power source | Electric | Gasoline or Electric |
Legality | No license required | License varies by state |
Comfort | High | Low |
Electric bikes are considered a great alternative to transportation and we even made a list of reasons why you should be stoked about them. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our cruiser bike, give us a call today at 833-266-4432.
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Riding a bike can be both enjoyable and liberating. Whether you're cruising around the block, running errands, commuting to work, or simply looking for a workout, a good bike — especially an electric cruiser — can make your ride so much more enjoyable.
If you’ve been with us for awhile now, you may have noticed some changes within Boogie Bikes, especially if you’re part of Boogie Nation. First, our company is growing — thanks to our awesome customers — so we have moved our world headquarters to a larger building to accommodate the increasing demand of our products. We have also restructured to share resources with other companies on site so we can better serve our customers.