ELECTRIC VS REGULAR
Which bike is best for you?
26 March, 2024
Biking is the future of commuting. But with so many new options, it can be hard to choose which kind of bike is right for you. Do you stick with the tried and true classic bike? Or invest in the next-level design and technology of an electric bike?
Dutch culture has long celebrated cycling as a healthy and enjoyable daily practice. And with more cities around Europe investing in cycling infrastructure, we’ll continue to see people swapping four wheels for two. But whether you’re starting your new adventure as a cyclist or just ready for a new bike, it can be tricky to know which bike is the way to go. With this guide, we hope to shed a little light on whether to choose a regular bike or a ride into the future with a modern e-bike.
Understanding regular bikes and e-bikes
When we talk about a regular bicycle, we mean the humble pedal-powered bike that’s been popular for generations. It’s a simple and timeless classic that’s still relevant for many people’s daily commutes. An electric bike can be defined as a bike equipped with an electric motor to assist propulsion and a battery to help you go the distance. You’ll still have to pedal just like any other bike, but the motor will add an extra boost so you can maintain your pace when the going gets tough – for example when riding over a bridge or against the wind.
Electric bikes come with batteries that need regular recharging, as well. While different manufacturers vary, Veloretti electric bike batteries can take you between 60 and 120 km depending on factors like the support level you ride at and the total load weight. Ultimately, electric bikes have gained popularity here in the Netherlands over the past decade as the technology improves and the designs can become sleeker, lighter and more modern.
Maintenance and repairs
While both traditional bikes and e-bikes require regular care and maintenance, e-bikes will need to be serviced by a professional bike store more often since they include various mechanical components and you can’t always update these at home. With a bit of education, you should be able to take care of most parts of your city bike at home.
Fitness vs efficiency
When it comes to physical effort, electric bikes unquestionably take the edge. Thanks to the assistive properties of the electric motor, e-bikes require significantly less effort to ride, especially on uphill routes. You can also have the best of both worlds by using the power when you need the boost, and otherwise set your e-bike on a lower support level to better mimic the riding style of a traditional bike and still get some light cardio.
Consider what your usual bike trip looks like as well. While you do go slower on a traditional bike, it also offers the opportunity to enjoy a more leisurely and peaceful ride. Meanwhile, an e-bike lets you cover a distance pretty quickly (you could say the time just whizzes by). This makes electric bikes an excellent choice for commuting to work in the morning or going on a long weekend ride to the beach or forest.
At the end of the day, if your goal is to get out of the car more often but not necessarily get a workout, then choosing an electric bike may be more your speed. However, if you live close to work or school and enjoy the free fitness that comes with riding a bike, a traditional bike could be a great way to go. Or enjoy the best of both worlds with both.
The bike for your budget
E-bikes can vary in cost due to the quality of the components used, battery lifetime and type of motor, but it’s safe to say they’re usually a higher upfront investment than a classic city bike. Before making a decision, it’s worth checking with your employer if you can benefit from a leasing scheme. You’ll get great tax incentives and often can get cost input from your employer. Either way, if you are using an electric bike to replace short car journeys, the investment will soon pay itself off.
Regulations and rules
When it comes to regulations, traditional bicycles generally have fewer restrictions. You can use them in any public area without much concern for rules beyond basic traffic laws. E-bikes can be subject to a wider array of rules owing to their motorised nature, but the exact restrictions governing e-bike use vary widely based on location. In the Netherlands, the legal speed limit is 25 km/h and while wearing a helmet is not legally enforced for both regular and electric bikes, it is recommended for anyone riding through the city.
Safety & speed
If there is a mishap on the road, cyclists on regular bikes usually fall at lower speeds due to the energy of the fall being mostly human-produced. Since you can easily reach high speeds on an electric bike, it's good to consider e-bike safety tips like avoiding phone distractions, alcohol, and slippery surfaces. This small difference in safety can be worth thinking about if you are buying a bike for your teenager or have less general experience with riding a bike.
Rider experience
Possibly the most distinct difference between regular bicycles and e-bikes lies in the rider experience. Regular bicycles offer a great way of maintaining physical fitness. They demand more effort from the rider, thus helping burn calories and improve cardiovascular health.
On the other hand, e-bikes, with their integrated electric motor, offer an added boost to the rider’s pedalling efforts. This feature is particularly useful for tackling steep hills, long-distance commutes and taking the sting out of headwinds. Electric bikes can be a godsend for people with physical limitations who find it difficult to ride regular bicycles.
Pros and cons
When choosing between an e-bike and a traditional bike, you have to weigh the following pros and cons based on the way you ride.
