Everything you need to know about electric bikes and how to choose the right one for you

Are you thinking about upgrading to an electric bike? Here at Yours, we understand the importance of travelling and how it's not just about going from A-B. That's why we've made it our mission to take you through the whole journey by uncovering the best electric bikes available.

Benefits of switching to an electric bike

Electric bikes offer a whole host of benefits; not only do they give you the freedom to explore, but you can potentially travel further than you ever have before. Here are the top benefits of switching to an electric bike:

• Gets you to your destination faster

• Stops you from getting worn out easily

• Good for the environment

• Can help you save money on public transport

• Positive health benefits with regular use

• Social aspect if you ride with friends

What to look for before purchasing an electric bike

Types of electric bikes

Folding electric bikes: Instead of catching the tube, bus or tram back to work, invest in a folding e-bike and save yourself on ticket prices and the jampacked commute.

Hybrid electric bikes: Love exploring your local area? A hybrid e-bike knows no limits when it comes to riding around a city, your local park or to the nearest shops. Perfect for giving you that extra push on steep hills or longer journeys, the boost from an electric bike provides the assistance you need to complete your ride.

Mountain electric bikes: If you love to hit the dirt trail in your spare time, treat yourself to one of these babies. Why? It will increase your performance, help you complete harder trails and stop you from getting worn out.

Is the electric bike road legal?

Before you hit that buy button, it's essential that you understand the requirements needed to make an e-bike road legal in the UK. According to gov.uk, "You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it meets certain requirements.

"These electric bikes are known as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). You don't need a licence to ride one and it doesn't need to be registered, taxed or insured."

That said, what counts as an EAPC? An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it.

It must show either:

• power output

• manufacturer of the motor

It must also show either:

• battery voltage

• the maximum speed of the bike

Its electric motor:

• must have a maximum power output of 250 watts

• shouldn't be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph

• EAPC can have more than two wheels (for example, a tricycle).

Read the full guide on electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance.

Read the reviews

Yes, this might sound like a simple step, but taking the time to read what others have written about a product before you buy it can save you time and money in the long run. There's no better way to get a feel of how an e-bike will work for you than reading about someone's hands-on experience with it.

The best electric bikes 2021

Just so you know, while we may receive a commission for purchases made through our links, we never allow this to influence product selections. Why trust us?

Review: "About two hours to put together. Tested on a ½ mile steep gradient without first charging the battery, and once I selected the right amount of pedal-assist (medium), I flew up the hill with very little effort. Assembly is okay if you're used to bikes, but instructions are quite lacking. It's a nice little touch that they've included assembly tools, although you will possibly need some extra Allen keys as I did as not all sizes are provided. If like me, you've watched a variety of YouTube videos before buying this, a nice little upgrade is that the battery connection has changed, and water will no longer sit in the bottom of the battery holder when wet."

Review: "The bike is wonderful. It has a beautiful glossy black design, and the saddle is comfortable to ride on. Regarding the comments I have read that it does not carry an automatic accelerator like motorcycles, it is an assistance bike and for my taste does not need such gadgets. I like how you can alter the gears - you must pedal, but the effort is minimal. If you don't want to pedal, buy yourself a motorcycle or a rider scooter."

Review: "Had it for 250 miles now, and it's a delight to ride. I wouldn't want to carry it far, but it fits on the boot rack of my two-seaters just fine. Powers up hills with a weeks shop no problem, and with a good range, it allows me to go cycling again, which at 69 I didn't think I'd ever do again. The frame is very strong, and any slack in the folder catch that will appear with age can be easily adjusted out. The biggest omission is the lack of a USB port."

Review: "Fantastic, don't think about it, just buy it if you get the chance. I am 59 years old, but the bike makes me feel like a kid again. Have had the bike for three weeks and have already cycled 250 miles. I live in the Chilterns and the bike is great for all the country lanes and trails."

Review: "Does not come with a key to lock the battery, so it's easy to steal. We'd recommend not leaving this bike unattended to ensure you don't have this issue - that means this e-bike is better for casual rides at the weekend."

Tried and tested by Digital Writer, Stephanie Anthony: "I found the bike great for getting me up hills, although I would caution that it was difficult to manoeuvre when pushing it along, and also tricky to control when pulling over for cars. My local roads are quite narrow so if you hear a car coming it tends to be safest to stop to let them by. Stopping and starting the bike wasn’t the easiest, as you have to get pedalling before the battery kicks in."

Read our full and detailed E-Trends City bike review now.

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