58-518: Cytronex is a lightweight electric bike system fitted to existing bicycles by the British company Modern Times Ltd. The system is designed and assembled at the company's base in Winchester, England. The bicycle's 36V battery looks like a water bottle; the brushless hub motor is a similar size to a hub dynamo; and most of the cables are concealed. Bicycle lights powered directly by a switching regulator in
116-443: A pedal-assist e-bike with a relatively low-powered electric motor and a decent but not excessive top speed. Pedelecs are legally classed as bicycles rather than low-powered motorcycles or mopeds. The most influential definition of pedelecs comes from the EU . EU directive (EN15194 standard) for motor vehicles considers a bicycle to be a pedelec if: An e-bike conforming to these conditions
174-486: A relative uncertainty of approximately a few parts in 10 , and involved realisations of the watt, the ohm and the volt. The 2019 revision of the SI defined the ampere by taking the fixed numerical value of the elementary charge e to be 1.602 176 634 × 10 when expressed in the unit C, which is equal to A⋅s, where the second is defined in terms of ∆ ν Cs , the unperturbed ground state hyperfine transition frequency of
232-449: A silver nitrate solution. Later, more accurate measurements revealed that this current is 0.999 85 A . Since power is defined as the product of current and voltage, the ampere can alternatively be expressed in terms of the other units using the relationship I = P / V , and thus 1 A = 1 W/V. Current can be measured by a multimeter , a device that can measure electrical voltage, current, and resistance. Until 2019,
290-511: A throttle , integrating moped -style functionality. Both retain the ability to be pedaled by the rider and are therefore not electric motorcycles . E-bikes use rechargeable batteries and typically are motor-powered up to 25 to 32 km/h (16 to 20 mph). High-powered varieties can often travel up to or more than 45 km/h (28 mph). Depending on local laws, many e-bikes (e.g., pedelecs ) are legally classified as bicycles rather than mopeds or motorcycles . This exempts them from
348-618: A government-chartered industry group, in 2004 China's manufacturers sold 7.5 million e-bikes nationwide, which was almost twice the year 2003 sales; domestic sales reached 10 million in 2005, and 16 to 18 million in 2006. In 2016, approximately 210 million electric bikes were used daily in China. According to trade umbrella body CONEBI, electric bike sales in the EU were over 5 million in 2021, up from 2 million e-bikes in 2016, up from 700,000 in 2010 and 200,000 in 2007. In 2019,
406-1077: A higher BMI than those using conventional bikes. By making the biking terrain less of an issue, people who would not otherwise consider biking can use the electric assistance when needed and otherwise pedal as they are able. E-bikes can be a useful part of cardiac rehabilitation programmes, since health professionals will often recommend a stationary bike be used in the early stages of these. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes can reduce deaths in people with coronary heart disease by around 27%. Schleinitz et al. (2014) concluded that e-bike users in Germany were no more likely than conventional cyclists to be involved in "safety-critical situations". However, Dozza et al. (2015) concluded (from an analysis of Swedish cyclists) that e-bikers may be involved in more critical incidents but with "lower severity". Additionally, e-bikers were less likely to have dangerous interactions with motorized vehicles. E-bikes are zero-emissions vehicles , as they emit no combustion by-products, but
464-514: A motor more powerful than 250 W (0.34 hp) and less limited, or unlimited, pedal-assist, i.e. the motor does not stop assisting the rider once 25 km/h (16 mph) has been reached. S-Pedelec class e-bikes are therefore usually classified as mopeds or motorcycles rather than as bicycles and therefore may (depending on the jurisdiction) need to be registered and insured, the rider may need some sort of driver's license (either car or motorcycle) and motorcycle helmets may have to be worn. In
522-464: A series of gears. Hub motors fell out of favor until the latter part of the first decade of the 2000s when they made a resurgence on inexpensive electric bicycles. From 1992, Vector Services Limited offered the Zike e-bike. The bicycle included NiCd batteries that were built into a frame member and included an 850 g permanent-magnet motor. Torque sensors and power controls were developed during
580-491: A source of exercise for individuals who have trouble exercising for an extended time (due to injury or excessive weight, for example) as the bike can allow the rider to take short breaks from pedaling and also provide confidence to the rider that they'll be able to complete the selected path without becoming too fatigued or without having forced their knee joints too hard (people who need to use their knee joints without wearing them out unnecessarily may in some electric bikes adjust
638-399: A speedometer. It is styled as a modern moped "moped-style", and is often mistaken for one. Converting a non-electric bicycle to its electric equivalent can be complicated but numerous 'replace a wheel' solutions are now available on the market. An Electric Pusher Trailer is an e-bike design which incorporates a motor and battery into a trailer that pushes any bicycle. One such trailer is
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#1732877145308696-862: Is 1.2 A") and the charge accumulated (or passed through a circuit) over a period of time is expressed in coulombs (as in "the battery charge is 30 000 C "). The relation of the ampere (C/s) to the coulomb is the same as that of the watt (J/s) to the joule . The international system of units (SI) is based on seven SI base units the second , metre, kilogram , kelvin , ampere, mole , and candela representing seven fundamental types of physical quantity, or "dimensions" , ( time , length , mass , temperature , electric current, amount of substance , and luminous intensity respectively) with all other SI units being defined using these. These SI derived units can either be given special names e.g. watt, volt, lux , etc. or defined in terms of others, e.g. metre per second . The units with special names derived from
754-459: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Electric bike An electric bicycle , e-bike , electrically assisted pedal cycle , or electrically power assisted cycle is a motorized bicycle with an integrated electric motor used to assist propulsion. Many kinds of e-bikes are available worldwide, but they generally fall into two broad categories: bikes that assist the rider's pedal-power (i.e. pedelecs ) and bikes that add
812-469: Is affected by factors such as motor efficiency, battery capacity, efficiency of the driving electronics, aerodynamics, hills and weight of the bike and rider. Some manufacturers, such as the Canadian BionX or American Vintage Electric Bikes, have the option of using regenerative braking , the motor acts as a generator to slow the bike down prior to the brake pads engaging. This is useful for extending
870-610: Is an incredibly low instance of issue among larger more established manufacturers. In 2024, the world's largest electric bike maker, Giant Manufacturing, went on record to say that it had never experienced an issue with a single battery. Gig workers who rely on using e-bikes to do their jobs may also be limited in their choice of vehicle and purchase a cheap or second-hand e-bike that is more prone to damage. Some jurisdictions, such as New York City and San Francisco , have passed laws requiring that all electric mobility devices sold have UL safety certifications. Not all e-bikes take
928-524: Is considered to be a pedelec in the EU and is legally classed as a bicycle . The EN15194 standard is valid across the whole of the EU and has been adopted by some non-EU European nations including the UK, and also some non-European jurisdictions (such as the state of Victoria in Australia). Pedelecs are much like conventional bicycles in use and function—the electric motor only provides assistance, for example, when
986-474: Is the unit of electric current in the International System of Units (SI). One ampere is equal to 1 coulomb (C) moving past a point per second. It is named after French mathematician and physicist André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836), considered the father of electromagnetism along with Danish physicist Hans Christian Ørsted . As of the 2019 revision of the SI , the ampere is defined by fixing
1044-406: Is used in the formal definition of the ampere. The SI unit of charge, the coulomb , was then defined as "the quantity of electricity carried in 1 second by a current of 1 ampere". Conversely, a current of one ampere is one coulomb of charge going past a given point per second: In general, charge Q was determined by steady current I flowing for a time t as Q = It . This definition of
1102-446: The caesium -133 atom. The SI unit of charge, the coulomb , "is the quantity of electricity carried in 1 second by a current of 1 ampere". Conversely, a current of one ampere is one coulomb of charge going past a given point per second: In general, charge Q is determined by steady current I flowing for a time t as Q = I t . Constant, instantaneous and average current are expressed in amperes (as in "the charging current
1160-527: The elementary charge e to be exactly 1.602 176 634 × 10 C , which means an ampere is an electric current equivalent to 10 elementary charges moving every 1.602 176 634 seconds or 6.241 509 074 × 10 elementary charges moving in a second. Prior to the redefinition the ampere was defined as the current passing through two parallel wires 1 metre apart that produces a magnetic force of 2 × 10 newtons per metre. The earlier CGS system has two units of current, one structured similarly to
1218-787: The EU implemented a 79.3% protective tariff on imported Chinese e-bikes to protect EU producers. In 2022, electric bikes continued to grow market share in the EU, rising to 57% of bike sales in the Netherlands, 49% in Austria, 48% in Germany and 47% in Belgium. DC motors are commonly used in electric bicycles, either brushed or brushless . Many configurations are available, varying in cost and complexity; direct-drive and geared motor units are both used. An electric power-assist system may be added to almost any pedal cycle using chain drive, belt drive, hub motors or friction drive. Brushless hub motors are
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#17328771453081276-478: The SI defined the ampere as follows: The ampere is that constant current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of negligible circular cross-section, and placed one metre apart in vacuum, would produce between these conductors a force equal to 2 × 10 newtons per metre of length. Ampère's force law states that there is an attractive or repulsive force between two parallel wires carrying an electric current. This force
1334-505: The SI's and the other using Coulomb's law as a fundamental relationship, with the CGS unit of charge defined by measuring the force between two charged metal plates. The CGS unit of current is then defined as one unit of charge per second. The ampere is named for French physicist and mathematician André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836), who studied electromagnetism and laid the foundation of electrodynamics . In recognition of Ampère's contributions to
1392-672: The US. By 2007, e-bikes were thought to make up 10 to 20 percent of all two-wheeled vehicles on the streets of many major Chinese cities. A typical unit requires eight hours to charge the battery, which provides the range of 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48 km), at the speed of around 20 km/h (12 mph). In the 2010s electric bicycles attracted considerable traction in Europe led by government policies and environmental awareness encouraging sustainable technologies. Some countries such as Germany and Netherlands turned into significant e-bikes markets with
1450-518: The United States, many states have adopted S-Pedelecs into the Class 3 category, limited to not more than 750 W (1.01 hp) of power and 28 mph (45 km/h) speed. In Europe they are likely to be classed as mopeds requiring a registration plate and a licensed driver. Some newer electric bikes include a pedal assist system (PAS) with or without throttle, allowing riders to pedal while using
1508-412: The aim to reduce urban congestion and carbon emissions. Moreover, the evolution of lithium-ion battery technology contributed to e-bikes adoption. They provided faster charging times, lighter weight and longer range in order to make e-bikes more efficient and practical for daily use. E-bikes are classed according to the power that their electric motor can deliver and the control system, i.e., when and how
1566-448: The amount of current that generates a force of two dynes per centimetre of length between two wires one centimetre apart. The size of the unit was chosen so that the units derived from it in the MKSA system would be conveniently sized. The "international ampere" was an early realization of the ampere, defined as the current that would deposit 0.001 118 grams of silver per second from
1624-480: The ampere was most accurately realised using a Kibble balance , but in practice the unit was maintained via Ohm's law from the units of electromotive force and resistance , the volt and the ohm , since the latter two could be tied to physical phenomena that are relatively easy to reproduce, the Josephson effect and the quantum Hall effect , respectively. Techniques to establish the realisation of an ampere had
1682-595: The battery are also an intrinsic part of the system. A Cytronex powered Cannondale Super Six carbon racing bike was featured during episode 16 of Channel 5's The Gadget Show in November 2009, on which presenter Ortis Deley raced professional cyclist Russell Downing at Holme Moss on the route of the Tour of Britain in the Pennines . The bicycle used during the television feature weighs 12.9 kg. This retail business article
1740-562: The benefit of additional low speed stability and are often favored by people with disabilities. Cargo carrying tricycles are also gaining acceptance, with a small but growing number of couriers using them for package deliveries in city centres. Latest designs of these trikes resemble a cross-between a pedal cycle and a small van. E-bike use was shown to increase the amount of physical activity. E-bike users in seven European cities had 10% higher weekly energy expenditure than other cyclists because they cycled longer trips. E-bikes can also provide
1798-405: The conventional internal gear hubs. The main advantage mid-drive motors have over hub motors is that power is applied through the chain (or belt) and thus it uses the existing rear gears (either external or internal). This allows for the motor to operate more efficiently at a wider range of vehicle speeds. Without using the bicycle's gears, equivalent hub motors tend to be less effective propelling
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1856-410: The creation of modern electrical science, an international convention, signed at the 1881 International Exposition of Electricity , established the ampere as a standard unit of electrical measurement for electric current. The ampere was originally defined as one tenth of the unit of electric current in the centimetre–gram–second system of units . That unit, now known as the abampere , was defined as
1914-404: The drivetrain. An electric mid-drive combined with an internal gear hub at the back hub may require care due to the lack of a clutch mechanism to soften the shock to the gears at the moment of re-engagement. A continuously variable transmission or a fully automatic internal gear hub may reduce the shocks due to the viscosity of oils used for liquid coupling instead of the mechanical couplings of
1972-403: The e-bike's motor assists the rider using a pedal-assist system or by a power-on-demand one. Definitions of these are as follows: Therefore, very broadly, e-bikes can be classed as: E-bikes with pedal-assist only are usually called pedelecs but can be broadly classified into pedelecs proper and the more powerful S-Pedelecs. The term " pedelec " (from ped al ele ctric c ycle) refers to
2030-408: The ebike slowly up steep hills and also propelling the ebike fast on the flat. E-bikes use rechargeable batteries in addition to electric motors and some form of control. Battery systems in use include sealed lead–acid (SLA), nickel–cadmium (NiCad), nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) or lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion). Batteries vary according to the voltage, total charge capacity (amp hours), weight,
2088-713: The electric mains . The bicycles were then charged from the mains, as is common today. While e-bike batteries were produced mainly by bigger companies in past, many small to medium companies have started using new methods for creating more durable batteries. Lithium ion batteries used in e-bikes and related vehicles such as electric scooters have been under scrutiny since 2019 due to their susceptibility to overheating and catching fire. A rise in incidents where e-bike batteries were implicated in fires has been attributed to increases in popularity and lack of regulations. Lower-quality batteries are more likely to be manufactured with defects that can cause bulging or bursting, however, there
2146-447: The electric motor to increase range. There are electric propulsion conversion kits for ordinary bicycles. Some e-bikes have an electric motor that operates on a power-on-demand basis only; the motor is engaged and operated manually using a throttle, with control usually on the handgrip as on a motorbike or scooter. These sorts of e-bikes often, but not always, have more powerful motors than pedelecs. With power-on-demand only e-bikes
2204-528: The environmental effects of electricity generation and power distribution and of manufacturing and recycling batteries must be accounted for. E-bikes emit similar pollutants per kilometer as buses, with emission rates several times lower than motorcycles and cars. E-bikes are generally seen as environmentally desirable in an urban environment. Ampere The ampere ( / ˈ æ m p ɛər / AM -pair , US : / ˈ æ m p ɪər / AM -peer ; symbol: A ), often shortened to amp ,
2262-573: The form of conventional push-bikes with an incorporated motor, such as the Cytronex bicycles which use a small battery disguised as a water bottle. Some are designed to take the appearance of low capacity motorcycles "moto-style", but smaller in size and consisting of an electric motor rather than a petrol engine. For example, the Sakura e-bike incorporates a 200 W motor found on standard e-bikes, but also includes plastic cladding, front and rear lights, and
2320-410: The front hub, and with a rear-drive the motor sits in the rear hub. Hub motors were common in 19th century electric bicycle designs but fell out of favor until their resurgence in the 2000s. Another type of electric assist motor is the mid-drive system, where the electric motor is not built into the wheel but is usually mounted beside or under the bottom bracket shell. The propulsion is provided at
2378-505: The late 1990s by Giant Lafree e-bikes.) By 1898, a rear-wheel drive electric bicycle, which used a driving belt along the outside edge of the wheel, was patented by Mathew J. Steffens. An 1899 patent by John Schnepf ( U.S. patent 627,066 ) depicted an electric bicycle with a rear-wheel friction, "roller-wheel"-style drive. In 1969, Schnepf's invention was expanded by G. A. Wood Jr. ( U.S. patent 3,431,994 ). Wood's device used four fractional horsepower motors connected through
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2436-411: The late 1990s. For example, a Japanese patent ( 6163148 ) was granted in 1997 to a team led by Yutaka Takada, for a "Sensor, drive force auxiliary device ... and torque sensor zero point adjusting mechanism". American car executive Lee Iacocca founded EV Global Motors in 1997, a company that produced an electric bicycle model named E-bike SX, and it was one of the early efforts to popularize e-bikes in
2494-567: The level of motor assistance according to the terrain). A University of Tennessee study provides evidence that energy expenditure (EE) and oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) for e-bikes are 24% lower than that for conventional bicycles, and 64% lower than for walking. Further, the study notes that the difference between e-bikes and bicycles are most pronounced on the uphill segments. There are individuals who claim to have lost considerable amounts of weight by using an electric bike. A recent prospective cohort study however found that people using e-bikes have
2552-608: The more stringent laws regarding the certification and operation of more powerful two-wheelers which are often classed as electric motorcycles, such as licensing and mandatory safety equipment. E-bikes can also be defined separately and treated under distinct electric bicycle laws . Bicycles , e-bikes, and e-scooters , alongside e-cargo bikes, are commonly classified as micro-mobility vehicles. When comparing bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters from active and inclusiveness perspectives, traditional bicycles, while promoting physical activity, are less accessible to certain demographics due to
2610-403: The most common in modern designs. The motor is built into the wheel hub itself, while the stator is fixed solidly to the axle, and the magnets are attached to and rotating with the wheel. The bicycle wheel hub is the motor. The power levels of motors used are influenced by available legal categories and are often, but not always limited to under 750 watts. With a front-drive the motor sits in
2668-498: The need for greater physical exertion, which also limits the distances bicycles can cover compared to e-bikes and e-scooters. E-scooters, however, cannot be categorised as an active transport mode, as they require minimal physical effort and, therefore, offer no health benefits. Additionally, the substantial incidence of accidents and injuries involving e-scooters underscores the considerable safety concerns and perceived risks associated with their use in urban settings. E-bikes stand out as
2726-411: The number of charging cycles before performance degrades, and ability to handle over-voltage charging conditions. The energy costs of operating e-bikes are small, but there can be considerable battery replacement costs. The lifespan of a battery pack varies depending on the type of usage. Shallow discharge/recharge cycles help extend the overall battery life. Range is a key consideration with e-bikes, and
2784-410: The only option that combines the benefits of active transport with inclusivity, as their electric-motor, pedal-assist feature helps riders cover greater distances. The motor helps users overcome obstacles such as steep inclines and the need for high physical effort, making e-bikes suitable for a wide variety of users. This feature also allows e-bikes to traverse distances that would typically necessitate
2842-457: The pedals rather than at the wheel, being eventually applied to the wheel via the bicycle's standard drive train. Freewheel crank , that is a freewheel in the bottom bracket, is a necessary part in mid-drive systems to allow the electric motor to work inside its optimal rotational speed range ( r/min ). Because the power is applied through the chain and sprocket, power is typically limited to around 250–500 watts to protect against fast wear on
2900-410: The power from the motor is applied. Also the classification of e-bikes is complicated as much of the definition is due to the legality of what constitutes a bicycle and what constitutes a moped or motorcycle. As such, the classification of these e-bikes varies greatly across countries and local jurisdictions. Despite these legal complications, the classification of e-bikes is mainly decided by whether
2958-539: The range and the life of brake pads and wheel rims. There are also experiments using fuel cells . e.g. the PHB . Some experiments have also been undertaken with super capacitors to supplement or replace batteries for cars and some SUVS. E-bikes developed in Switzerland in the late 1980s for the Tour de Sol solar vehicle race came with solar charging stations but these were later fixed on roofs and connected so as to feed into
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#17328771453083016-407: The rear wheel" ( U.S. patent 552,271 ). There were no gears and the motor could draw up to 100 amperes from a 10-volt battery. Two years later, in 1897, Hosea W. Libbey of Boston invented an electric bicycle ( U.S. patent 596,272 ) that was propelled by a "double electric motor". The motor was designed within the hub of the crankset axle. (This model was later re-invented and imitated in
3074-586: The rider can: Some power-on-demand only e-bikes are very different from, and cannot be classified as, bicycles. For example, the Noped is a term used by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario for e-bikes which are not fitted with pedals. E-bike usage worldwide has experienced rapid growth since 1998. China is the world's leading producer of e-bikes. According to the data of the China Bicycle Association,
3132-539: The rider is climbing or struggling against a headwind. Pedelecs are therefore especially useful for people in hilly areas where riding a bike would prove too strenuous for many to consider taking up cycling as a daily means of transport. They are also useful for riders who more generally need some assistance, e.g. for people with heart, leg muscle or knee joint issues. More powerful pedelecs which are not legally classed as bicycles are dubbed S-Pedelecs (short for Schnell-Pedelecs , i.e. Speedy-Pedelecs) in Germany. These have
3190-465: The road, but may be legal to use on the sidewalk . They are the cheapest electric cycles and used by the last mile commuters , for urban use and to be combined with public transport , including buses. They are not legal for use on the public highway (including footways and cycle paths) in the United Kingdom. Electric trikes have also been produced that conform to the e-bike legislation. These have
3248-608: The transportation of children without using a car. There are many e-bikes design variations available, some with batteries attached to the frame, some housed within the tube. Some use fat tires for improved stability and off-road capability. Various designs (including those mentioned above) are designed to fit inside most area laws, and the ones that contain pedals can be used on roads in the United Kingdom, among other countries. Folding e-bikes are also available. Electric self-balancing unicycles do not conform to e-bike legislation in most countries and therefore cannot be used on
3306-457: The two-wheeled Ridekick. Other, rarer designs include that of a 'chopper' styled e-bike, which are designed as more of a 'fun' or 'novelty' e-bike than as a purposeful mobility aid or mode of transport . Electric cargo bikes allow the rider to carry large, heavy items which would be difficult to transport without electric power supplementing the human power input. These bikes can also allow for adults to continue biking into parenthood, enabling
3364-454: The use of private cars or multi-modal travel, such as both a bicycle and local public transport , establishing them as not only an active and inclusive mode but also a standalone travel option. In the 1890s, electric bicycles were documented within various U.S. patents. For example, on 31 December 1895, Ogden Bolton Jr. was granted a patent for a battery-powered bicycle with "6-pole brush-and-commutator direct current (DC) hub motor mounted in
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