Electric bikes are great options for those who want to stay active while reducing their dependence on cars. All without becoming workout warriors. While biking is a great form of exercise, most people are not physically ready to trade their vehicles in for bikes right away. Bicycling has many known benefits, including improved health, cost savings and a deeper connection with the community. The one thing that often stops potential bikers is the anticipated cost of an electric bike.
The good news is that an electric bike doesn’t have to be an expensive purchase. There are many affordable models available for those who are introducing themselves to the world of eBiking. With a little preliminary research, you can find the eBike that best suits your needs without emptying your wallet. 
There is a huge range of pricing in the electric bike market. Well-known eBike manufacturers have models ranging from around £150 to well over £1,500 and more. Why such a wide range of pricing? There are a handful of variables that dictate pricing. From the components used to the included extra features – even weight and size. In fact, the overall purpose of the electric bike is a good indicator of its price range. Other points to consider would be the budget, height, intended use and style preference of the electric bike.
For example, a bike designed for quick rides around your community will cost you less on average than a more durable model made for long-distance riding. Trail riders will need an electric bicycle that uses premium, ultra-durable materials to withstand the harsher conditions of the trail such as thicker tires, a stronger body frame and more responsive brakes. These are just some of the advancements a solid mountain electric bike should have over a short-distance electric bike. And they’ll all factor into the cost of your bike.
Electric bikes have been compared with cars where they are not investments, but tools or toys which depreciate over time as an owner uses them; their true value is highly dependent on the environment and the task at hand or the owner’s preferences. Those upset with the perceived high cost of electric bikes argue that buying a used car would be more reasonable. Often, they fail to consider the high cost of car repairs, preventative maintenance like oil changes, insurance, licensing, and parking. All of the costs when added up will be much more expensive than owning an electric bike.
My feeling is that £1,500 is the lowest level worth exploring right now. There are too many unhappy customers who purchased online and are now struggling to fix a throttle mechanism or find a replacement battery pack because the cells they got were of very low quality. There have even been some fires caused by cheap batteries and didn’t have an electronic management system in place to prevent overload. At £3,000, you could get a high-quality product that’s Euro-proven, German-engineered, and backed up by a two-year warranty. A bike like this offers intuitive controls, integrated dynamo lights, fenders and racks and an overall lovely aesthetic.
Basically, electric bikes are about three times less expensive to operate than cars from a current fuel cost perspective. In addition to reducing user operating expenses, they produce less localized pollution, and therefore they have lower negative externalities. So why not get an electric bike for yourself today.
