How to Choose the Right City E-Bike
Written by: Rémy Rossi | November 17, 2024 | Time to read 4 min
Searching for the ultimate e-Bike for riding in the city? Learn about the different types of city electric bikes available on Upway to find the right one for you.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
Electric bikes are a secret weapon to get around the city fast, comfortably, and on your own schedule. These boosted bikes are designed specifically for the urban environment, letting you skip out on car traffic and busy (and often delayed) public transport.
In your quest to rule the concrete jungle, find out which style of city electric bike suits your riding style best. Upway has an extensive catalog of new and certified pre-owned city e-Bikes with tons of models that fall into each of the sub-categories explained below. Everyone has a different routine and preferences when it comes to getting around the city— keep reading to find out what is the best electric bike for you
Types of City Electric Bikes
Commuter & Hybrid E-Bikes
Commuter bikes are the quintessential city bike, designed to get you from Point A to Point B and anywhere else in your busy lifestyle. Crank it up a notch and you have electric commuter bikes, the ultimate two-wheelers with a built-in boost.
The best commuter e-Bikes have practical features like a rear rack, fenders, and integrated lights. They are sturdier and more comfortable than road bikes but are slimmer and more efficient than mountain bikes, ideal for urban riders who need a reliable e-Bike that can do it all. This is where the “hybrid” name comes from, used as an umbrella term interchangeably with commuter, city, and urban e-Bikes.
Some of our favorite commuter models:
- Trek FX+ or Verve+
- Stromer ST1/2 Sport
- Aventon Level.2 or Soltera.2
Foldable Electric Bikes
Some electric city bikes are foldable, which can come in handy for certain city-goers. The bike’s ability to collapse down to a small footprint can make storage easier, especially in urban apartments or offices that are tight on space. However, foldable e-Bikes are bigger and heavier than standard folding bikes, so they aren’t as convenient to carry on the train or lug upstairs.
These bikes typically have hinges in the middle of the frame and handlebars and fold up into a cubic shape. The smaller profile fits into the trunk of a car, so you won’t have to purchase an e-Bike-specific vehicle rack. The advantages of folding e-Bikes don’t apply to everyone but can make a huge difference to people who require that flexibility.
A few of Upway's favorite foldable e-Bikes include:
- Aventon Sinch
- Lectric XP
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Utility e-Bikes
Utility bikes can be thought of as compact cargo bikes— they are built to carry extra items or a rear passenger without being too large and cumbersome. Utility e-Bikes provide pedal assistance that makes it easier to pull added weight, perfect to bring the kids, a kayak, or stop on the way home for groceries. Full-sized cargo bikes have higher payload capacity, but many riders don’t actually need to haul such huge and heavy stuff around town.
The smaller footprint of utility e-Bikes is ideal for zipping through traffic and taking up less space when parked than a cargo e-Bike. These bikes have heavier-duty racks than your typical commuter bike, powerful motors, and plenty of mountable accessory options. The smaller-diameter wheels and step-thru frame make the bikes stable and easy to hop on and off, even when loaded up with cargo.
Some of our favorite utility e-Bikes:
- Specialized Globe Haul ST
- Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus
Moped-style Electric Bikes
You’ve probably seen moped-style electric bikes around town— they’ve been booming in popularity over the past few years. Some look more like small motorcycles while others look like pared-down mopeds, but they’re still technically pedalable electric bikes.
The unique design means that the large seat is fixed in place, and sometimes there’s room for two riders. These e-Bikes are generally designed for fun cruising with the throttle, but can still be pedaled via the various pedal assist modes. Street style and throttle thrills are the name of the game when it comes to moped-style electric bikes in the city.
Some of Upway’s favorite moped-style electric bikes:
- Super73 Z1 or S1
- Juiced Bikes Hyper Scorpion
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- In case you didn't know yet, you can sell your e-Bike to Upway and get your cash in 3 simple steps.
- Want an estimation -> It takes only 2 minutes to complete this form.
Cruisers
City-goers can also ride electric cruisers up and down the streets. These laid-back e-Bikes embrace that classic cruiser design with boosted specs for an easy-riding experience in the city. Riders can expect bold colors, elegant frames, swept-back handlebars, and simple controls. You probably wouldn’t commute on a cruiser e-Bike, but they are fun bikes for rolling around town, exploring the boardwalk, and taking a weekend joyride.
Some of our favorite cruiser e-Bikes:
- Pedego Comfort Cruiser
- Electra Townie Go! 8i
Final Thoughts: How to choose the right city e-Bike?
Many different types of electric bikes can be used in the city and it’s ultimately up to you to make the call on what e-Bike fits your urban routine the best. Browse Upway’s extensive catalog to see all the options out there— you may find models that come with practical features you didn’t even know you needed on your daily trips through the city. And once you find your dream machine, make sure you follow our essential maintenance tips to keep it operating at its best.
