E-Bikes: A Boomer’s Guide

What’s all the fuss about e-bikes? You see them everywhere, even in high end bike shops that sell ultra-sophisticated feather-light road racers that can cost $10,000 and up. Motorised assistance on a bicycle sounds like cheating — until you look at who is buying them and why.

Cycling went from a children’s activity to a serious sport somewhere around Breaking Away, Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong. Time passes, knees change, and the case for a bit of help gets stronger.

E-bikes are pedal-assisted

The motor acts like a power assist that can be adjusted according to the fitness level of the rider and conditions. Above 25 km/h the motor disengages and you are pedalling on your own.

The technical bit

• Hub motors (in the wheel) — found on budget models, with less smooth power delivery
• Mid-drive motors (at the pedals) — the premium option, with better control through a direct drivetrain connection
• Power output runs from 250 to 750+ watts
• Lithium-ion batteries, rated in watt-hours

Range depends on battery capacity, motor power, terrain, rider weight and assist level — typically 20 to over 100 miles on a charge.

Five kinds of e-bike

1. Commuter — upright riding position, integrated lighting, racks and fenders
2. Mountain — suspension and rugged components for off road
3. Folding — portability, for limited storage
4. Cargo — reinforced frames for heavy loads
5. Road — speed and efficiency on pavement

Rules and certification

Canadian regulations do not currently require a driver’s licence to operate an e-bike. A voluntary UL2829 certification standard was introduced in 2020 to address safety concerns, but many manufacturers have not implemented it because of the additional cost — so it is worth comparing certified against non-certified when you shop.

What they cost

• Entry level — from around $1,000
• Mid range — $1,500 to $5,000
• High end — over $10,000

The cons

1. Batteries are expensive to replace, and need removing in public to deter theft
2. Budget models can have reliability and safety issues
3. A high initial cost compared to a conventional bicycle
4. Less exercise than riding unassisted
5. Heavier than a non-motorised bike

The pros

1. A cheap alternative to commuting by car
2. Practical for getting around a city
3. Environmentally sustainable
4. Cargo capacity, and you arrive at work without perspiring
5. Adjustable assistance, so you keep as much of the exercise as you want

And they are just plain fun. The technology keeps getting more efficient, safer and cheaper — and an e-bike is a fantastic mode of transportation for long rides on those mountain and forest trails, which makes it a natural companion to an RV.