e Bikes: Why This Fad Is Here To Stay

E-bikes have exploded in popularity in recent years, largely thanks to increasingly affordable battery technology and a much wider range of options on the market, from foldable commuter bikes to powerful mountain bikes.

For many caravan owners, bringing an e-bike on the road is a great way to explore a local area at no cost and with minimal effort, and we are seeing more owners include e-bikes as part of their regular cargo when they're heading away on holiday.

In this Buyer's Guide, we'll be diving into e-bikes and explaining how they work, the pros and cons of owning one, and what to consider if you're thinking about buying an e-bike.
 

What Is An E-Bike?

The word 'e-bike' stands for 'electric bicycle' and refers to any bicycle fitted with an electric motor. When e-bikes first came on the scene, they were primarily targeted towards short-distance commuters and leisurely weekend riders - people that needed a bike to head down to their local shops or ride around their neighbourhood.

Since then, though, the e-bike market has expanded massively to meet the needs of a wide range of consumers, and it is now possible to get e-bikes in almost any style and configuration you can imagine, from heavy-duty mountain bikes for endurance riding to compact city commuters that can be easily carried on public transport.
 

How Do E-Bikes Work?

Like electric cars, almost every e-bike available today is powered by a lithium battery, which is charged off mains power, usually at home. There are two different types of e-bikes: throttled and pedal-assisted. As the name suggests, throttled e-bikes use a throttle to deliver power and control their speed, eliminating the need to pedal entirely if desired.

Peddle-assisted bikes rely on the rider to pedal but use the electric motor to reduce the amount of energy that is required to do so - something that comes in handy if you do a lot of riding or live in a hilly area.

Because they handle a greater workload, throttled e-bikes need to be charged more often than peddle assistance e-bikes and have a smaller range. Depending on how often you use your e-bike and how far you ride, a peddle-assisted bike might only need to be charged once a week or even less.
 

Pros of Owning An E-Bike

The greatest advantage of owning an electric bike is the amount of effort and energy it saves. Whether you choose a throttled or peddle-assisted e-bike, you'll be amazed at how much easier riding becomes - there is no need to struggle up hills or huff and puff your way home every day.

The second major benefit of e-bikes, and part of why they have become so popular in the last few years, is that they are eco-friendly and emission-free. At a time when many consumers are looking for ways to reduce their emissions, e-bikes offer a guilt-free form of transport that is well-suited to many of the short trips we previously used cars for, such as heading to the gym or supermarket.

Additionally, the added range afforded by the electric motor makes e-bikes a viable option for longer trips, both within the city and outside it. For instance, electric mountain bike expeditions are growing in popularity throughout Australia, while increasing numbers of retirees are turning to e-bikes as a way of getting outdoors in ways that they might not have been able to otherwise.
 

What To Consider When Buying An e-Bike

• Cost. The first thing to consider when looking at any e-bike is its cost. Due to the additional components and engineering, e-bikes tend to be significantly more expensive than a comparable bicycle, with most models ranging between $1000-2000.

  Although e-bikes offer many significant advantages over standard bicycles, you need to ask yourself if it is worth the added expense and whether you will get your money's worth.
   

• Style. The next aspect to consider is what style of bike you want. Electric bikes generally fall into the same categories as conventional bicycles: road/commuter bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrids.

Road bikes are best suited to urban environments and are great for exploring a new city or town, but they aren't built for going off-road, as they tend to have smooth, skinny tyres and minimal suspension.

Mountain bikes can be used in cities, although you will get the most value and use from them if you plan to get into the bush and hit the trails, where their chunky tyres and enhanced suspension will ensure a comfortable ride.

Hybrid electric bikes are the perfect choice if you plan to spend most of your time riding on roads but still want a bike that is capable of heading up a trail for an afternoon.
 

Why e-Bikes Are Here To Stay

While some may see e-bikes as a fad or passing interest, the numbers don't lie: e-bike sales in Australia grew by 500% between 2017 and 2021, with the number of units sold almost doubling every year in that same period.

From the city to the country, e-bikes are offering millions of Australians the ability to get out and explore in ways that they never imagined, and interest in them will only grow as more people seek to take advantage of the benefits that e-bikes offer to their wallets, health, and the environment.

If You're Considering an e-Bike, Browse Our Range

As a caravan owner, you spend enough time behind the steering wheel as it is, so why add to it? With an e-bike, you can get the groceries, get some fresh air, and explore the local area without ever needing to grab your keys.

Here at Shop RV, we stock a number of electric bikes to suit your budget and lifestyle. Click here to browse our range today and find the bike that's right for you.
 

Happy riding!