An electric bike, also referred to as an e-bike or EB, is a bicycle that uses electric energy to power a small electric motor. In contrast, traditional bicycles use human leg power to achieve propulsion. Electric bikes are not a recent innovation with the earliest known U.S. patent dating back to 1890. However, a recent surge has occurred in ebike development and adoption over the past 10 years due to environmental concerns, enhanced performance offered by emerging electric motor and battery technology, and increasing standardized transportation costs. With most major bicycle manufacturers currently selling one or more types of electric bikes, EBs have finally become “ready for prime-time” and are expected to comprise a major portion of the bicycle market within the next 10 years.
A Short History Of The Electric Bike
1895 Bolton Electric Bicycle 
1898 Humber Tandem Electric Bicycle
Who Makes Electric Bikes?
The following manufacturers make electric bicycles:
 | Aventon Bikes Models: Pace, Sinch, Level |
 | Benno Bikes Models: Boost, Ejoy, Escout, Remidemi |
 | Blix Electric Bikes Models: Aveny, Packa, Sol, Vika+ |
 | Cannondale Models: Canvas, Cujo, Habit, Moterra, Quick, SuperSix EVO, Synapse, Tesoro, Topstone, Treadwell |
 | Cero Bikes Models: Cero 1.2 |
 | Civia Cycles Models: Parkway, North Loop |
 | Kona Models: Dew-E, Ecoco, El Kahuna, Libre, Remote, Splice-E |
 | Liv Cycling Models: Amiti, Embolden, Rove, Tempt, Thrive |
 | Pivot Cycles Models: Shuttle |
 | Rad Power Bikes Models: RadCity, RadMini, RadMission, RadRover, RadRunner, RadWagon |
 | Riese & Müller Models: Charger, Delite, Homage, Load, Multicharger, Nevo, Packster, Roadster, Supercharger, Superdelite |
 | Serial 1 Cycle Company Models: T.B.D. |
 | Specialized Bikes Models: Como, Creo, Levo, Kenevo, Vado |
 | Tern Bicycles Models: BYB, Eclipse, GSD, HSD, Link, Node, Vektron, Verge |
 | Trek Bikes Models: Allant, Cafe Moto, Domane, Ghostrider, Powerfly, Rail, Townie, Vale, Verve |
 | Tuesday Cycles Models: August |
 | Xtracycle Models: eClassic, eStoker, eSwoop, RFA Sport, RFA Utility |
 | Yuba Bikes Models: Boda Boda, Electric Mundo, Electric Supermarché, Spicy Curry |
Electric Bikes In The News
Serial 1 Cycle Company Harley Davidson eBike Spin-Off
Serial 1 Cycle Company, a Harley Davidson spin-off, is announcing the availability of its first electric bicycle at midnight on November 16, 2020. Unlike several other ebike companies that simply…
Rad Power Bikes RadMini
The Rad Power Bikes RadMini is an affordable electric commuter bike that offers power, convenience, and versatility in a sporty little package. With a folding frame design smaller than a…
Rad Power Bikes To Deliver Domino’s Pizza
Rad Power Bikes, North America’s largest e-bike brand, has designed custom electric bicycles for the Domino’s Pizza chain that will facilitate more efficient, and environmentally friendly, Domino’s pizza delivery. The…
Rad Power Bikes RadCity
The Rad Power Bikes RadCity is an affordable electric commuter bike built to conquer the ever-changing city-scape. Designed with style and comfort in mind, the RadCity e-bike will crush your…
Rad Power Bikes RadWagon
The Rad Power Bikes RadWagon is truly one of our favorite electric bicycles. An affordable e-cargo bike with thoughtful design and stylish looks, the RadWagon is an excellent peddle-power assisted…
Sources
Manufacturers: Aventon Bikes, Benno Bikes, Blix Electric Bikes, Cannondale, Cero Bikes, Civia Cycles, Kona, Liv Cycling, Pivot Cycles, Rad Power Bikes, Riese & Müller, Serial 1 Cycle Company, Specialized Bikes, Surly Bikes, Tern Bicycles, Trek Bikes, Tuesday Cycles, Xtracycle, Yuba Bikes
Jon is an editor at Electric Guide and is our resident electric bike and electric motorcycle expert. Jon has a M.S. in Computer Science, won several intercollegiate events as a member of the UCLA Cycling Team, and is currently active on the USA Triathlon circuit … which doesn’t allow electric motors. Jon also writes for our sister publication Wear.guide.
Send tips and story ideas to Jon at: jon@electric.guide
