5 ON YOUR SIDE: E-bikes

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, can make riding a bike a breeze. But buying a new e-bike might not be so easy on your budget, with some models costing over $10,000! Consumer Reports is here to help, breaking down the options and revealing top picks from its latest tests.

From horns and whistles to turn signals and extra cargo space, e-bikes offer plenty of features. And they’re a great option for many different lifestyles.

“There are generally two reasons people buy an e-bike: either they’re getting back into biking and it’s helpful getting over those hills or flattening the hills, or they’re using it to commute and it’s replacing a vehicle,” Consumer Reports’ Rich Handel said.

There are two main types of e-bikes: pedal-assist bikes have an electric motor that kicks in when you pedal. The other uses an electric motor plus a throttle that gets the bike going without any pedaling.

While you can find e-bikes for a few hundred dollars, the top-performing models in Consumer Reports’ tests typically run between $2,000 and $3,000.

Consumer Reports’ tests look at how far you can get with them before the battery dies, acceleration, hill-climbing, speed control, braking, and then take a look at how well the bike performs when the battery dies.

For commuting, the Heybike Cityrun, priced at $1600, has an electric throttle and a battery with a 29-mile range. The Lectric XPedition for $1,750 offers more cargo space and features that mimic a car, including a headlight, a brake-activated taillight, and turn signals. For recreational biking, consider this Raleigh RetroGlide Royale 2.0.

Consumer Reports also says E-bikes have a learning curve, so it’s a good idea to read the manual and practice in a safe area until you get a feel for your bike! And finally, no matter which type of bike you’re riding, Consumer Reports says always wear your helmet!

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