The arrival of electric bikes has sparked a debate among riders about which bike would be the king of commuting now. There has been discussion among seasoned riders on different forums on electric bike vs regular bike, what's the difference between them, and which one is most suitable now at this time of evolution in technologies for commuting. Meanwhile, a large number of people who are going to be new riders are still confused about which one is right for them.

Let us clear your confusion and help you understand the difference between both bikes to decide which one is perfect for you to commute.

a bicycle pattern drawn with white lines on the road

Is There Any Difference Between an E-Bike and a Regular Bike?

Yes, there is a huge difference between an e-bike and a regular bike. For example, if a regular bike takes 30 minutes to transport you from home to the business district, the electric bike can help you reach the same destination within 10 minutes. That's the major difference between both vehicles and in today's world, time is money. Now, it is up to you to either commute smartly or save time, and commute traditionally or waste time.

Let's explore the mechanical or other differences between electric bike vs regular bike.

1. Appearance

Both bikes are the same in appearance, but electric bikes have some components attached to them, like electric motors, batteries, and display LCD, which is not present in normal bikes. If you look at an e-bike for the first time, then you don't need to spend hours learning how electric bikes work because the process is quite the same, and there is nothing new to learn.

2. Mechanics

The biggest difference between both vehicles is the difference between their working mechanisms. E-bikes are equipped with electric motors and battery packs, providing assistance to riders in pedaling, which is something different from a bicycle. Additionally, you need to also learn how the e-bike battery works to get the maximum riding experience.

3. Rules and Regulations

You need to do your research according to your state laws because rules and regulations for riding an electric bike would be definitely different from riding a normal bike.

You should navigate through US electric bike laws and your state laws as well to remain within legal limits while riding. For example, if you live in Utah or Colorado, the e-bike riding rules and regulations would be different.

4. Maintenance

The major difference between both bikes lies in the phase of maintenance because normal bikes only require drive belt lubrication or regular screw-tightening checkups. While if you ride an electric bike, then you have to care for the electric motor, battery, drive belt, and other electrical components' health as well.

Maintenance can be a tiring task for some riders, but if you have a company like Engwe with a widespread repair shop network, then maintaining an electric bike would be easy.

a woman rides an engwe m20 2.0 e-bike on the sand

Why Are Electric Bikes Better than Normal Bikes?

There are several reasons advocating the supremacy of electric bike vs normal bike. Let's explore some of them briefly to better understand why one is better than another.

1. Cover Long-Range Distances

You can cover long-range distances without getting exhausted on e-bikes, which is not possible on normal bikes.

For example, you might want to explore a lake outside of your city, which is quite far from your home. If you go with a normal bike, then there are chances that you may get exhausted during the journey and return back home without exploring the lake. On the other hand, if you use an electrically assisted bicycle, then you will surely reach the lake without getting exhausted because of the pedal assistance feature.

2. A Better Way to Become Healthy

Exploring refreshing places like forests or hills near your home on a cycle is not a good idea because it makes you tired before reaching the destination, resulting in spoiling your plan of breathing in the fresh air of the forest.

If you commute to the forest using an e-bike, then you can reach the refreshing spot without getting tired during the journey because you are getting power through an electric motor, which makes you able to inhale the fresh air or see greenery to become healthy.

3. Commute Swiftly and Safely

An electric bike is no doubt a better option to commute swiftly and safely to your office, school, and other destinations. It allows you to sit on a speedster, ride with fast-moving cars and other vehicles with more efficient brakes and anti-collision frame designs.

On the contrary, this is not possible on traditional bikes, as they are not equipped with electric assist systems, responsive braking systems, and lack safety features.

2 people commute with engwe l20 2.0 electric commuter bikes

4. Explore Tourist Sights with Ease

Do you remember how many times you have planned to explore the tourist sights on your vacations by bike but couldn't make it? There are several reasons behind the cancellation of the plan, but one of the main reasons could be the ineffectiveness of riding a normal bike to visit the tourist sights with ease.

Electric bikes can be a gateway to visiting the vacation spots that you have been planning to visit for years but couldn't make it to till now, because its large battery pack allows riders to ride for long distances with ease.

Which Should Be Your First E-Bike?

In the tug-of-war between electric bike vs regular bike, electric bikes win hands down. If you're eager to get your own electric bike at this point, this is a section you'll be happy to know about.

In this section, we've picked out some vehicles that can be your first electric bike. We tried to only consider the budget-friendly or performance beasts for riders like you who want to experience the features to know why electric bikes are better than normal bikes.

Consider the below e-bikes as your first purchase to enter the world of electric commuting.

E-bike Engwe T14 Engwe L20 2.0 Engwe M20 2.0
Price $499.00 $799.00 $1,099/$1,299.00
Motor 350W High-Speed Brushless Motor 1125W (Peak)/750W (Rated) Hub Motor 1125W (Peak)/750W (Rated) Magnesium Alloy Integrated Wheel Motor
Best for Short-distance traveling or commuting Normal and off-roading tracks Gravel roads, mountains and other complex terrains

Final Thoughts

Electric bikes are no doubt the king of commuting now because of the several features mentioned above, like long-range traveling with electric motor power, which was not possible with the normal e-bikes. The differences mentioned above are clear enough to make you understand electric bike vs regular bike, and which one is perfect for you to ride with ease.

You may also want to read:

Hybrid Bike vs. Road Bike: Choose the Right One

Mountain Bike vs Road Bike: What's the Best Fit for You?

Electric Bike vs Scooter: A Guide to Choosing Your Ride

E-bike vs Moped: What's the Differences?

How to Choose an Electric Bike? 7 Key Factors to Consider

September 09, 2024