What Is a Class 2 Electric Bike?

With increasing awareness of the pollution caused by vehicles, many people are turning to e-bikes as a green alternative to fuel-based transportation. And as green transportation campaigns become more widespread, statistics by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that switching to e-bikes can significantly reduce traffic, emissions, and gasoline consumption.

In many bike-friendly cities around the world, e-biking has become the primary form of commuting. Many places are now issuing licenses to own e-bikes as part of the larger design for cleaner and greener cities. But besides the obvious environmental advantage, e-bike cruisers are also a cheaper, more convenient form of commute, allowing riders to avoid gas price hikes and traffic jams in their daily travels. 

They’re also super easy to learn how to ride, and many models come with various safety features and additional options that can be geared to each person’s needs. Research has also found that e-biking is an effective form of exercise, and in cities where contemporary lifestyles and a lack of walking-friendly neighborhoods have made public health a concern, a widespread e-biking culture can be of great help. 

To make legislation easier, lawmakers and the cycling world generally categorize e-bikes into three classes. In this blog, we’ll be taking a deeper dive into the features and benefits of class 2 e-bikes. 

Class 2 e-bikes can typically go up to twenty miles per hour. They are essentially exercise bikes with electrically-assisted pedaling for speed. These bikes have a throttle and other features allowing power assistance, making them better suited to commuting longer distances than class 1 bikes.

Class 2 bikes can also be driven on more types of terrain than their class 1 counterparts. For instance, their stabilizing features allow riders to bike on off-highway vehicle trails, which means the bike is well-suited to bumpy roads, dirt trails, and other off-road paths. 

In other words, class 2 bikes facilitate both recreational biking and everyday commuting, especially for people with injuries or disabilities that hinder them from walking long distances or using a regular bike. 

Compared to class 1 electric bikes, the main advantages of class 2 bikes are added speed, power, and convenience. But with these added features also comes a higher price point. Although they are more expensive, class 2 e-bikes are still the most popular e-bike choice, as they provide a good balance between high-end features, convenience, and price. 

Like the pedal-assist-only bikes in class 1, class 2 e-bikes are also typically welcomed in most places where regular bicycles are allowed, owing to their relatively low maximum speed. Local laws and regulations vary from state to state, but you can expect this class of bike to be allowed on most state-managed singletrack mountain bike trails and bike paths. 

Important Tips for Using Class 2 E-Bikes

Before purchasing a class 2 e-bike, you should keep two things in mind. First, you should find out whether or not your area has bike lanes on your commute routes. Second, it’s always recommended to check out e-bike-related laws and regulations in your area. Some states, for example, classify e-bikes as regular automobiles, while others do not. For this purpose, it is essential to know the rules for licensing, permits, and accessing public roads in your area.

Why E-Bikes Are the New Favorite

Since their introduction, e-bikes have been making waves in the cycling world and have potentially transformed the scope of cycling forever. There are several reasons why e-bikes have taken the cycling world by storm, some of which include: 

• Motor-powered bikes can operate smoothly on hilly, bumpy, and rocky roads.
• E-bikes help you avoid traffic and decrease pollution.
• They’re a means of affordable transportation to counter rising petrol prices. 
• You can enjoy recreation and commute without the stress of driving a car or the physical exhaustion of regular cycling.
• Covering large distances is made easier with an e-bike.
• E-bikes help you avoid the hassle and long waiting times of public transport while reducing transport costs as a whole.

Of course, Ride1Up is ready to help with all your e-bike concerns and needs. Looking for information class 3 electric bikes, instead? Check out our latest post!