Electric Bikes vs Electric Scooters

Electric vehicles are gaining more popularity every day. If you’re interested in finding the right electric vehicle for you, you may be wondering about the type of transportation to get.

There are many differences to consider between electric bikes and electric scooters, which can ultimately tell you which one is a good fit for your transportation needs and wants.

Below is a comparison of electric bikes and electric scooters to help you determine which to choose.

Top Speed

Both electric bikes and electric scooters can have powerful batteries and motors to take you long distances at high speeds. While you can find some high-speed scooters designed to take you between 35 and 50 miles per hour,  most scooters max out around 15 to 20 miles per hour . 

This speed is perfect for commuting to work in a busy city bike lane, as most laws prohibit vehicles with a top speed faster than 20 miles per hour in the bike lane.

You will find that  most electric bikes have a top speed of 50 miles per hour . This allows them to take you farther faster than a majority of electric scooters.

Range of Distance

Electric scooters can generally cover more distance per battery charge than electric bikes. When an electric bike runs out of battery power, however, the rider can pedal and keep the bike going. Electric scooters, on the other hand, don’t have an easy manual riding option when their batteries die.

The longest-range electric scooters can take you between  60 and 75 miles before running out of power . Electric bikes can have a  range around 55 miles . Either way, both e-vehicles can get you pretty far before needing to be recharged. 

Weight of the Vehicle

Electric bikes typically weigh around 50 to 55 lbs., while electric scooters weigh in just under 30 lbs. However,  a heavy-duty scooter that can reach top speeds upwards of 40 miles per hour can weigh up to 100 lbs . This is an important consideration if ease of portability is an important feature for you in an e-vehicle.

Comfort

Electric scooters are generally designed to be stood on in a standard foot position, with one foot behind the other on the narrow deck. This can get fairly uncomfortable after a long period of time, especially depending on an individual’s body and their needs.  There are some scooters with wider decks to allow for a more comfortable standing position, but these are less common and may be more expensive. 

There are also some electric scooters that offer a seating option, so you have the versatility that electric bikes don’t offer. Electric bikes are designed to be sat in, and unlike a regular bike, they do not allow the rider to stand. This can be more comfortable for some, but if you like to be able to stretch your legs during a ride, an electric scooter may be the option for you.

Tire Size

Generally, electric bikes have wider tires than electric scooters.  E-bike tires measure around 16 inches on average, and e-scooter tires are usually between 10 and 12 inches wide.  Bigger wheels mean rough and uneven terrain is easier to navigate, and there is typically more comfort and stability in riding a vehicle with larger wheels.

Larger wheels also allow a vehicle to have a higher weight capacity. Smaller wheels on smaller vehicles are easier to transport, though. Tire size is something to consider when thinking about your lifestyle and the kind of roads you plan on riding your electric vehicle. 

License Laws

Many states in the USA require riders of electric bikes to obtain a license and insurance before riding them . This is an important thing to consider, since getting a license can be time-consuming and drivers’ insurance is not always cheap. Electric scooters are not recognized in the same class of vehicle as electric bikes, so riding one does not require a license or insurance.

Safety

Electric bikes are easier to keep control over when travelling at high speeds. However, electric scooters are easier to learn how to ride in general. If you have a lower-speed scooter that maxes out around 15 or 20 miles per hour, you are much less likely to be seriously injured in an accident than if you fall off an electric bike travelling 40 or 50 miles per hour.

So, it really comes down to the type of scooter or bike you have and whether you travel at its top speed.  When going fast on any electric vehicle, it’s important to wear a helmet to protect against lifelong or even life-threatening head injuries.  Wearing other protective gear, like a jacket and gloves, can help protect your body in the event of an accident, too.

Protection Against Theft

Electric bikes are heavier and have more protective features than electric scooters on average.  E-bikes are built with locks that make them harder to steal. Both types of electric vehicle can be equipped with an additional alarm system, but the light weight of electric scooters makes them a lot easier to lift and take.

Cost

When comparing to a regular bike, the price of an electric scooter can seem high. However,  the cheapest models of electric scooters cost less than half the price of the cheapest electric bikes on the market . Both types of e-vehicle can get very expensive, though, depending on the model. If you look at a very high-tech electric scooter, you could be facing a price higher than several models of electric bikes.

Conclusion

There are pros and cons to both electric bikes and electric scooters. The right one for you will ultimately come down to your lifestyle and how you want to use your electric vehicle.

No matter which you choose, be sure to practice safety when riding to protect yourself from the serious injury that can occur in an accident. And remember to consider the differences in versatility and capability offered by the vehicles you look at, especially when comparing costs.