8 best electric bikes 2024: Tried and tested e-bikes for commuting and pleasure
Whether you’re commuting or touring the countryside, the best electric bikes can help you travel farther, ride for longer, and show up at your destination feeling fresh.
Electric bikes don’t remove all the effort of cycling. They’re designed to gently assist you as you pedal, and usually let you choose between increasing levels of assistance, from battery-saving eco modes up to sporty and full-blown turbo modes. The motor can only assist you up to a legal limit of 15.5mph, after which you’ll need to put some effort in to go any faster.
They make ideal commuter bikes, especially for riders who face a hill climb between their home and their destination, or even just a car park ramp. Most e-bikes can make steep inclines feel like riding on flat terrain, so they’re excellent for riders who feel less able to get out and about on a traditional bike.
Packing a motor and a battery means e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes but, as long as you don’t run out of juice, they feel just as nimble and easy to handle. Choosing the best electric bike for you depends on a few important factors: whether you need it to fold, where you want to charge it, and the distances you expect to travel.
