Selling vs. Trading In Your Used E-Bike: Which is Best?

Written by: Rémy Rossi | August 10, 2025 Time to read 4 min

Cash in hand or instant in-store credit? Here’s how to choose the best way to part with your used e-Bike.

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.

Upway New York City UpCenter and inventory of ebikes
Is it better to straight-up sell your used electric bike, or should you trade it in for in-store credit? Upway makes both options super easy, and I’ll walk you through which one may work best for you.

👋  Do you know Upway?

Upway is your go-to destination for buying and selling e-Bikes online. Find your next e-Bike at up to 60% off retail, available in new or like-new condition.



Sell your used e-Bike vs. trade-in: what’s the difference?

You can sell your used e-Bike directly to Upway with just a few clicks, and we’ll even pick up the bike and take care of the shipping costs. Or you can trade in your electric bike in person at one of our 150+ partner bike shops across the country. 

The value estimate for your e-Bike will be the same for both options. Some people prefer the easy, completely online process of selling the e-Bike while others appreciate the in-store experience with our local trade-in partners and want to use their credit at that specific bike shop. 

When selling the bike to us, you’ll receive an additional $150 promo code to purchase another bike on Upway, from commuter e-Bikes to e-MTBs. With the trade-in program, perks vary depending on the partner— some bike shops offer discounts like 10% off any full-price bike or extra in-store credit.
Momentum PakYak+ electric cargo bike parked on sidewalk

Selling your e-Bike to Upway

Give your used electric bike a second life with Upway— we offer you a competitive quote, inspect and repair the bike, and find a new home for your precious ride. Simply fill out this brief formto tell us about your bike— brand, model, year, condition— and we’ll shoot you an estimate within 48 hours. If you accept, we’ll send you the shipping box for free and pick up the bike when it’s convenient for you. Upon receiving the bike, we’ll securely transfer cash to your bank account!

Selling your e-Bike is a great option if you want cash for your e-Bike or are looking to upgrade to a model available on Upway.co. Simply pocket the money or put it towards a new or pre-owned e-Bike— when you sell to us, you’ll receive a $150 purchase credit for another bike on Upway!

💸  Do you want to sell your electric bike?

Get cash for your old electric bike -> it takes only 2 minutes to complete this form this form

Upway’s Trade-In Program

Trading in your used electric bike can be a great in-person option that avoids you having to even touch a bike box! Visit any of our trade-in program partners across the US, where they can tell you Upway’s quote and accept your used e-Bike. Then, use that trade-in value to buy an electric bike at that bike shop. It’s a win all around— you can simply walk into your local shop and they get to sell more bikes. Depending on the shop, they may even sweeten the trade-in deal with additional discounts when you buy a new e-Bike! 

  • Bring your used e-Bike to a participating location: The bike shop will use Upway’s real-time pricing tool to get you a quote for your e-Bike quickly. 

  • Trade-in: Accept the trade-in offer and receive an instant discount that goes toward the purchase of a new e-Bike at that bike shop.

  • Refurbishment & resale: Your used e-Bike will make its way to an UpCenter, where it will be reconditioned and prepared for sale, supporting the circular economy and making e-Bike prices more accessible.

Here are a few of our most popular partners who offer special deals when you trade in your e-Bike and purchase a new model in-store:
  • Mike’s Bikes offers an extra 10% off any full-price bike when you trade in! 

  • At Conte’s Bike Shop, you can receive $250 extra on the value of your e-Bike if you trade up to a new Gazelle bike priced up to $3,500, or $500 extra on a new Gazelle bike priced above $3,500.

  • Thanks to the collaboration between Upway x Rad Power Bikes, you receive an additional $100 on top of your bike’s trade-in value.


Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get cash or store credit?

When trading in your electric bike at one of our partner bike shops, you’ll receive in-store credit that goes toward the purchase of a new e-Bike at the shop. You can sell your used e-Bike directly to Upway online to receive cash and a $150 credit to buy an e-Bike on Upway.co.

What are Upway's acceptance criteria?

We accept all electric bikes manufactured after 2014.

However, we only accept certain brands with certified Lithium-Ion batteries for both quality and safety reasons. Your bike must not show any structural damage (e.g., cracked frame). You must have the battery, its charger, and any keys (battery or frame lock) in your possession.

How are prices determined?

Our offer price is based on the retail value of your bike, its mileage, and market factors such as demand and seasonality for your model. We also factor in our own reconditioning costs so that the future owner can enjoy a bike in perfect condition, with a one-year warranty.

Key Takeaways


  1. Selling your e-bike to Upway online gives you a competitive cash payout plus a $150 credit toward your next ride on Upway.co.
  2. Trading in at a partner bike shop offers instant store credit, with some locations adding extra discounts or bonus trade-in value.
  3. Both selling and trading in help your e-Bike get refurbished, resold, and kept in circulation— supporting a more sustainable cycling community.




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