Everyday transport is where e-bikes really shine. But before we explore their many benefits, let’s start by answering the question that brings so many budding e-bike riders here in the first place: what is an e-bike?

In the following guide, we’re going to do two things. First, we’re going to get you up to speed with a clear explanation of what an e-bike actually is and how it works. Second, we’re going to explore why e-bikes are becoming one of the UK’s smartest, most sustainable, and most enjoyable ways to commute.

Whether you’re new to cycling, thinking about changing how you travel to work, or simply curious about electric bikes, this is the introduction you’re looking for.

What is an e-bike?

So, let’s answer the question “what is an e-bike?” clearly. An e-bike (electric bike) is a bicycle fitted with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery that provides assistance while you pedal. The motor doesn’t take over from you, but it supports you. You still turn the pedals, steer, brake, and balance as you would on a conventional bike - just with extra power when you need it.

In the UK, most e-bikes are classed as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs). To fall under this classification, an e-bike must meet the following requirements under EAPC regulations:

• Be fitted with pedals that can propel the bike.

• Have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 250 watts.

• The motor must only provide assistance when you’re pedalling and must cut out at 15.5mph (25km/h).

Because of this, riding an e-bike feels very natural. There’s no sudden acceleration, no loss of control, and no steep learning curve beyond getting used to the assistance. You simply pedal and the bike helps you go further with less effort.

It’s worth adding that EAPCs like e-bikes don’t require a licence, vehicle tax, or registration, and you can ride them on cycle paths and roads like a standard bike. From a legal and practical point of view, an e-bike is still very much a bike - just with a little extra oomph.

How does an e-bike work?

Now that we’ve answered what an e-bike is, let’s look at how they work. An e-bike has three main additional components compared to a conventional bicycle:

The motor

E-bike motors provide assistance to your pedalling. They’re usually located in the front hub, rear hub, or around the bottom bracket (known as a mid-drive motor). Each position has slightly different ride characteristics, but they’re all designed to feel smooth and intuitive.

The battery

E-bike batteries store the energy that powers the motor. Most are lithium-ion batteries, similar in principle to those used in phones and laptops but larger. Battery sizes are measured in watt-hours (Wh), and larger batteries generally offer greater range.

The controller and sensors

E-bikes sensors detect how hard you’re pedalling and how fast you’re riding, then deliver the right amount of assistance. Most e-bikes allow you to choose several assistance levels. A low setting offers a gentle push for flat routes or saving battery. Higher settings provide more help for hills, headwinds, or heavy loads. You stay in control the whole time, riding your way and choosing how much support you want.

All the while, the e-bike controller manages the flow of electricity between the battery, motor, and sensors, essentially keeping all the components working together as they should.

What is an e-bike like to ride?

Riding an e-bike is like cycling with a constant tailwind and having a helping hand push you uphill. You still feel engaged and connected to the road, but the bike feels lighter and more willing. Essentially, you still feel the pedal but you don’t actually have to pedal very hard.

Hills become more manageable. Starting from traffic lights takes less effort. Longer distances feel shorter. And, most importantly, you’re far less likely to arrive where you’re going tired or out of breath. On an e-bike, it’s no sweat.

The lower effort required is why e-bikes have such potential to get people to switch from cars, buses, and trains for everyday journeys. Those who do so reap big rewards - for their health, wealth, free time, and for the environment. What’s perhaps surprising is that even everyday cyclists can profit from swapping to an e-bike for commuting too.

Here’s what an e-bike can do for you, and for the planet.

E-bikes improve your health

This is where other answers to the question “what is an e-bike?” come in. More than just a means of travel, they’re also a means to look after your health.

It’s a common myth that e-bikes don’t provide “real” exercise. In reality, riding an e-bike provides broadly the same benefits to your physical and mental health as cycling. Sure, the lack of intense effort means you’ll burn fewer calories per hour on an e-bike than a regular bike… yet it’s still aerobic exercise, and if you commute on an e-bike you can easily meet the NHS recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.

A 2019 study of 10,000 people found that e-bikers and normal cyclists actually enjoyed comparable fitness benefits. How, if cyclists worked harder? Because the e-bikers clocked more miles. They rode more often and took longer journeys. A Dutch study reached a similar conclusion; that e-bike commuters cycled 75% further over the same period than cyclists, mainly because they were cycling more regularly.

Journeys that might be unappealing on a conventional bike - whether they’re too hilly, too far, or in poor weather - are easier to undertake on e-bike. Because of this, all but the most committed cyclists can gain (or at least maintain) health benefits from switching to an e-bike for commuting. They’re likely to pedal more miles on an e-bike, offsetting the fact that those miles are easier.

E-bikes save money

What is an e-bike beyond its physical attributes and health benefits? It’s also a means to save money. While e-bikes cost more upfront than conventional bikes, they are dramatically cheaper than owning and running a car. When accessed through salary sacrifice, they’re even more affordable.

Back in 2017, we looked at comparative commuting costs for different forms of travel. For a five-mile each-way commute during this time period, the annual costs were:

• Bike: £396

• Train: £625

• Bus: £848

• Tube: £1,320

• Car: £3,727

With the caveat that inflation will have raised all those figures significantly since, how does e-bike commuting fit in?

We’ll assume a standard-rate taxpayer spends £2,000 on an e-bike through Cyclescheme. Saving 25% means it actually costs them £1,500. Rather than factor in a replacement battery, we’ll be cautious and assume the bike is worthless after five years, as we did with the bicycle in our earlier example. It’s a worst-case scenario.

These are the annual costs:

• Depreciation: £300 - A fifth of the initial cost, as we’ve assumed a five-year lifespan for the e-bike.
  
  

• E-bike insurance: approx £93 - Quote for a £2,000 e-bike from Bikmo, using the very expensive SW1A 0AA post code in central London.
  
  

• Breakdown cover: £24 - This is from ETA and is comparable to what many drivers have.
  
  

• Maintenance: £200 - This covers a typical e-bike service and some replacement parts. Servicing and repair costs are likely to be higher than for a conventional bike, as e-bikes are more complicated and put more stress through the drivetrain.
  
  

• Running costs: £5.50
  
  

That gives total annual costs of £622.50 for an e-bike, meaning e-bikes come out cheaper than all other forms of transport except for a conventional bike.

The main reason e-bikes save money like this is because their running costs are negligible, while insurance and maintenance are modest compared to motor vehicles. And, while e-biking is only slightly cheaper than commuting by train with an annual rail pass, you have much more flexibility on where to ride.

E-bikes save time

In urban areas, e-bikes save time as they’re often quicker than cars and public transport. This is also true of conventional bikes, which are also frequently faster than other forms of transport because cyclists spend less time stationary. However, on an e-bike it’s easy for anyone to maintain an average speed of 15mph with the motor’s assistance. That’s almost twice the average speed of a car in London of 8.7mph (14km/h), and comfortably above the 13mph (21km/h) average of a car in Manchester.

In short, e-bikes aren’t fast because of high speeds - they’re a fast form of transportation because they’re consistent with their pace. Hills, weather conditions, and fatigue don’t dramatically slow you, and you can ride at a reliable pace almost everywhere. This is what makes commuting easy and time-saving with an e-bike.

E-bikes help the environment

Finally, e-bikes are an environmentally friendly way to travel - perhaps not as much as cycling or walking, but more so than other transport. There’s no exhaust pollution at source, minimal noise, and far less congestion. Plus, if you charge your battery on a green energy tariff, the environmental impact is even lower.

There are some CO2 costs with using an e-bike, just as with a conventional bike. It has to be manufactured and maintained, and there’s the battery too - albeit a battery that’s one hundredth the size of batteries in electric cars.

Even so, we can see how e-bikes compare environmentally to other transport, as the European Cyclists’ Federation has calculated the carbon costs. In terms of grams of CO2 per kilometre travelled, this is how e-bikes measure up:

• Cycling: 21g

• E-biking: 22g

• Bus: 101g

• Car: 271g

So e-bikes only actually use 1 more gram of CO2 than bicycles per kilometre travelled. 

Another study found that someone who switched all of their car journeys to e-bike journeys would, on average, save 0.7 tonnes of CO2 per year. Even for existing cyclists, using an e-bike for journeys that would otherwise be driven helps offset the small additional environmental cost. So what is an e-bike, if not sustainable?

In summary, what is an e-bike?

Overall, an e-bike is a health-conscious, cost-effective, time-saving, and environmentally friendly form of transportation that’s accessible to everyone. It’s a simple, secure, and sustainable way to cycle smarter, commute greener, and enjoy the freedom of getting from A to B with less effort.

By removing barriers and widening access, e-bikes are helping power the next generation of cyclists - turning everyday journeys into feel-good rides and small changes into a big impact.

What is an e-bike? FAQs

1. What is an e-bike and who is it best for?

An e-bike (also known as an Electric Bicycle or battery-powered bicycle) uses pedal assist powered by modern electric bike technology to support your effort as you ride. It’s ideal for commuters, new riders, and anyone who wants an easier, more inclusive way to cycle, whether you’re riding a city route, a longer commute, or easing back into cycling after time away.

2. What is an e-bike used for day to day?

E-bikes (or electric bicycles) are used for everyday commuting, running errands, gentle exercise, and replacing short car journeys. Many riders use them on cycle lanes and shared cycling paths, especially where hills, headwinds, or longer distances would otherwise be a barrier.

3. What is an e-bike like to ride in bad weather?

Thanks to pedal-assist mode, riding in wind, rain, or colder conditions feels far more manageable than on a standard bike. The motor support helps keep your pace steady without overexertion, making year-round commuting more comfortable while still following the UK speed limit rules for assisted cycling.

4. What is an e-bike’s maintenance like?

E-bikes require regular bike maintenance, just like any other bike, checking tyres, brakes, and chains. In addition, it’s worth keeping an eye on electrical components such as the battery level indicator, hub motor, and wiring. With routine checks, reliability stays high and running costs remain low.

5. What is an e-bike’s lifespan?

With good care, an electric bicycle can last many years. Modern batteries are designed for thousands of charging cycles, and advances in electric bike technology mean motors are increasingly durable. Regular servicing and sensible charging habits make e-bikes a reliable long-term commuting choice.

6. What is an e-bike’s theft risk?

E-bikes can attract attention due to their higher value, so security matters. Use strong locks, secure storage, and consider insurance as part of good e-bike safety practice. Removing displays or batteries when parked can also reduce risk, especially in busy areas.

7. What is an e-bike through Cyclescheme?

An e-bike through Cyclescheme lets you spread the cost of an electric road bike, electric mountain bike, or everyday commuter e-bike through salary sacrifice. You can also include essential bike accessories, making it a simple, tax-efficient way to get cycling, without a large upfront cost.

8. What is an e-bike’s biggest advantage?

E-bikes remove common barriers to cycling. With pedal assist, controlled maximum power, and easy access to public charging points at home or work, more people can ride further, more often, without arriving exhausted. They’re not an electric scooter, but a practical, confidence-boosting way to cycle that still puts you in control.