eBikes are bicycles equipped with a motor to assist riders while they are pedaling, making them easier to ride than traditional bicycles, without the weight, noise, and exhaust of a motorcycle. All eBikes are designed to help you propel yourself: as you pedal, the electric motor assists you with a boost going uphill or going faster toward your destination. This is called “pedal assist”. Some eBikes also have a throttle, which propels riders without the need for pedaling. Most eBikes have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. 

Benefits of eBikes

•  Affordable to maintain. Charging your eBike will cost a tiny fraction of the cost of filling up your car’s gas tank. For trips around New Haven, an eBike can be as fast as driving, as riders can use bike lanes to avoid traffic. It’s a good idea to purchase electric bike insurance, but it’s not required, and it’s far cheaper than car insurance.

• Sustainable. As an all-electric form of transportation, eBikes don’t release any of the pollution that contributes to air pollution and climate change, unlike gas-powered vehicles.

• Affordable to purchase. With an average cost of around $2,000, eBikes are a much more affordable alternative to a motorcycle, moped, or passenger car. If you participate in the State’s electric bicycle incentive program, that program will reduce the cost of eligible eBikes by up to $1,500. The most expensive eBike on the eligible bike list—the $3,000 Alter-Ego—would be half as expensive at $1,500, and most of the eligible eBikes cost closer to $2,000, or $500 after the vouchers have been applied. The application period for vouchers has now closed, but given the high demand for the program in the summer of 2023, the State may replenish funding for it soon, so check back frequently to stay posted on the state’s eBike voucher program.

eBikes safety

eBike riders should be sure to take all of the same precautions as they would if riding a traditional bicycle—a helmet, additional protective gear if needed, ears free of earbuds or headphones, etc. Some folks may be interested in an eBike, but recent news about fires associated with lithium ion batteries may give them pause before purchasing one for themselves or for their family. Concerned residents should know that all of the eBikes eligible for state incentives have been tested and certified by Underwriters Laboratories, a product safety nonprofit that has been testing electronic devices for over a hundred years.

To avoid fires, eBike owners should be sure to only charge their eBike with the charger that comes included with the eBike, avoid leaving it near external heat sources, and take good care of their eBike battery. eBike owners should not charge their battery unattended and should take care not to overcharge their battery – once it’s fully charged, it should be unplugged. Customers should never attempt to modify or fix their eBike battery at home, and should take it to a licensed eBike repair shop. eBike owners should monitor their battery regularly—if there seems to be any signs of damage, take it to get fixed immediately!