Buying your teenager an electric bike? Here’s how to choose the right one

electrek.co Buying your teenager an electric bike? Here's how to choose the right one

Are you ready to buy your teenager an electric bike to get around on their own? Consider these helpful tips to avoid making a mistake.

<div></div> As electric bicycles surge in popularity, many parents are considering them as viable transportation alternatives for their teenagers. From getting to school or practice on their own to riding around with friends, e-bikes are a great way to give teenagers freedom without tossing them the family car keys. Electric bicycles offer an eco-friendly solution, merging traditional cycling with an added boost. If you’re contemplating buying an e-bike for your teen, here are some crucial tips to guide your purchase. more… The post Buying your teenager an electric bike? Here’s how to choose the right one appeared first on Electrek.

8 comments

Alternatively buy them a regular bike. You'll save money and they can get some exercise which they probably need anyway.
- You’re not wrong, but in my anecdotal experience, I’m biking a lot more with my e-bike than I was with my regular bike. I’ve got some awful and long hills that I just wouldn’t bother with otherwise.
  
  Also, I think it’s a misconception that e-bikes function as electric motorcycles.
  
  E-bikes set a minimum speed. If you’re pedaling and fall below that threshold, the motor will kick in and offer support. But that’s the thing, you have to be pedaling. If you don’t then you’re going to lose velocity and stop.
  
  To be fair, you can use the electric throttle to run without pedaling, but that kills the battery quick without pedaling easing the load.
  
  How common is the pedal requirement actually? Does it apply to cheap bikes? Is there a different class/style of bike? I see people often enough accelerate quickly without pedaling and still sitting, akin to how good electric scooters accelerate. That makes me think there's a hand control
The article is weird…

Fat tires are off-road tiers. If the bike isn’t primarily being used there then that shouldn’t be a consideration. Thinner tires are more efficient on flat surfaces.

The battery and motor specs are important—if you’re dealing with long distances and steep hills. I don’t know why the author is just skimming over that.
God roving gangs of teens on e-bikes sounds like an alternate version of A Clockwork Orange.

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