Picking the right e-bike can feel like a daunting task. How will you know if a battery-powered bike is suitable for your lifestyle—or if your fancy new purchase will simply end up gathering dust in your garage?
Here at Bluejay Bikes, we want to make sure you’re armed with all the information you need to feel confident in your bicycle purchase, which is why we’ve created this highlight of the pros and cons of electric bikes. Feel free to analyze each point and compare it to what your expectations are, all while learning more about how e-bikes work. Now, you can decide whether to join the electric bike movement or sit it out…at least for now.
The Pros and Cons of Electric Bikes
Pros
Easy to Ride and Super Versatile
We’ve designed all of our Bluejay e-bikes to not only look great, with vintage-inspired details and refined finishes, but to provide you with a comfortable and safe ride. With a straightforward digital display affixed to the handlebars, top notch safety features like hydraulic disc brakes that can stop on a dime and built-in lights, you’ll feel secure on our two wheels. Not to mention, an e-bike will fit into your life seamlessly—and might even replace your reliance on your car. With plenty of compatible accessories for lugging life’s stuff (like cute woven bike baskets and heavy-duty front bike racks), customizing an e-bike that works for you is simpler than it sounds.
Travels Further, Without Tiring You Out—Even On Hills
Compared to a traditional bike, an e-bike will allow you to cover more ground while you exert a mere fraction of the effort. That’s why these battery-powered bikes are so great for commuting; they make it so effortless to go the distance without working up a sweat or exhausting yourself. Hills? Strong winds? Unexpected road closures? When you’ve got a battery powered motor at your fingertips, even the toughest obstacles will feel totally manageable.
Tackles Up to 75 Miles on a Single Charge
All you need to do is plug your Bluejay e-bike in before heading out for a day of adventuring and you’ll be able to venture far, 75 miles to be specific. The longlasting 48V battery that comes with both the Premiere and the Bluejay Sport is designed to handle long days spent on the road or tearing up the trail. We recommend charging your battery before every single ride to get the most out of your e-bike—and to avoid getting stranded just when your day is hitting its peak.
Provides the Right Level of Exercise For Your Needs
Since you’re in control of how much power your electric bike provides, you can choose how much effort to put in each time you sit on the saddle. Turn off pedal assist for a sweaty spin around the block or pump it up to level four for a much lighter workout and higher speeds. Since you can rely on an e-bike’s built-in assistance to get around, it can be a really helpful tool for individuals who need low-impact workouts, for those with certain mobility issues and for most people with heart or lung problems. Compared to traditional bikes, e-bikes are a much more adaptive option for your fitness requirements.
Can Be Used Like a Regular Bike (Without Pedal Assist)
As you might’ve gathered, our Bluejay e-bike can indeed be used just like a traditional bike. Simply skip the step of turning on the pedal assist function and push off. And just like that, your e-bike cruises around just as easily as a basic two-wheeler. This is a great way to get your heart rate up and take your cycling experience to a higher level.
Good For the Planet
Nearly everyone benefits from the use of an electric bike–Mother Nature included. With a zippy motor that runs off a battery (instead of fossil fuels), e-bikes offer a trusted form of transportation that won’t release emissions into the atmosphere. It also won’t add to noise pollution or leave behind a massive toll on our roadways. Even if you swap out just a handful of car rides with bike rides each week, you’ll be minimizing your carbon footprint as you go. All of that is possible thanks to a battery-powered motor that can handle long commutes, short trips to the market and even school pickup. Bluejay offers an entire array of safe add-ons for little ones, from a roomy bike courier and a highly-visible double bike trailer to an easy-to-use child bike seat. Now, the whole family can join in on this planet friendly choice.
Cons
Not Allowed On All Streets and Paths
To make sure you’re in compliance with the laws and legislation where you’re riding, it’s important to do some research before kicking your kickstand up. Familiarize yourself with the state and local laws, and check the website of any parks where you plan to ride to avoid getting a ticket or being denied entry onto the trail. A handful of states have laws based on the classifications of e-bikes—Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3—each organized by speed and type of bicycle. We made a handy guide on the e-bike laws in all 50 states, to easily reference where you’ll be able to ride your Premiere (a Class 1 bike) and your Bluejay Sport (a Class 3 e-bike).
May Need to be Licensed or Registered
Most states don’t require the registration or licensing of e-bikes, save for Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Tennessee. While you won’t have to buy insurance for your bike, most of these 6 states will require you to pay a registration fee. Check out your state’s legislation to learn how and where to complete the registration process. Though this is a small hurdle to having fun on your new bike, it’s worth it for all the adventures that lie ahead.
Some States Have Age Requirements For E-Bikes
Unlike a traditional bike, e-bikes do require a bit more skill and may not be suitable for young riders. Some states require e-bike riders to be 15 and older, while others set that age limit at 16 or 18, with additional rules on the age limit of e-bike passengers. Again, check out our handy guide to understand the age limits set by your home state (or the state that you’ll be vacationing in next).
Can Be Heavier Than Traditional Bikes
Typically e-bikes are heavier than traditional bikes, due to the extra equipment they require. But the electric motor, battery pack, display system and all the wires that make those things go are also what power your bike. So, you’ll hardly feel that extra weight while using pedal assist to cruise around but it may be more noticeable if you have to lug your wheels up a flight of stairs or if you intend to ride your e-bike without the use of the motor. That said, the lightweight aluminum frames of each Bluejay e-bike is very durable and will keep you safe on every ride.
Want to learn more about Bluejay Bikes? Visit our website here. We also offer plenty of info on how to maintain your bike and best practices for riders on our Owner’s Portal, found here.
