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E-bikes Vs Mopeds: Differences and Pros and Cons

Electric bikes and mopeds are both great options for replacing car trips or public transport. The best option for you depends on where you ride, how far you ride, the local laws where you live, and your personal preference. In this guide, I’ll outline the differences between electric bikes and mopeds. I’ll also list the pros and cons of riding an ebike vs moped. I’ll cover speed, cost, insurance, licensing, maintenance, range, safety, and more.

Generally, ebikes are better for those who prefer riding a clean and quiet electric vehicle, those on a tight budget, riding for exercise, and those who don’t want to deal with licensing and registering a vehicle. Mopeds are better for those who need longer range, riding at higher speeds, and those who prefer gas vehicles.

I’ve been riding an e-bike for the past 6 years. Before that, I rode a gas powered moped. I commute and run errands on my e-bike almost daily. In this guide, I’ll share my experience.

A modern moped
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

Pros of Ebikes

  • Cheap to charge
  • Easier to maintain
  • Cheaper
  • No insurance required
  • A title and registration are not required
  • No driver’s license is required
  • Ebikes are quiet
  • Easier to store
  • Cleaner and more environmentally friendly
  • More versatile

Cons of Ebikes

  • Less range
  • Slower
  • It takes more effort to ride an e-bike
  • Requires an expensive battery

Pros of Mopeds

  • Better range
  • Faster
  • It takes less effort to ride a moped

Cons of Mopeds

  • More expensive to fuel up
  • Harder to maintain due to the gas motor
  • More expensive
  • Insurance is usually required
  • Noisier
  • You may need a title, license plate, and registration
  • You may need a driver’s license
  • Less environmentally friendly
  • Needs to be stored outdoors
  • Less versatile

An Overview of Electric Bikes and Mopeds

An electric bike is a bike with a built-in electric motor and battery that provides part of the pedaling power for you. The motor also allows you to maintain higher speeds and travel further than you could on a non-powered bike. The motor can also assist you while riding up hills and into headwinds to make riding easier.

Most e-bikes are limited to a max speed of 15.5, 20, or 28 mph. The maximum speed depends on the class of the e-bike, the size of the motor, and the local laws where you live.

A number of different electric bike designs exist. Most e-bikes offer a pedal assist that provides power only when you pedal. Some e-bikes have a throttle that allows you to ride without pedaling. There are different motor types, motor sizes, sensor types, and battery capacities.

A standard electric bike with a mid-drive motor

A moped is kind of a cross between a bicycle and a motorcycle. That’s where the name comes from. “Mo” stands for motor. “Ped” stands for pedals. Mopeds look similar to scooters but are a bit different.

A classic moped has a gas engine. The engine is usually less than 50ccs. Mopeds usually have a step through frame. Most models have pedals but they don’t have to. Mopeds usually have a max speed of around 30 mph.

Modern mopeds are a bit different. Many do not have pedals. Some have an electric motor instead of a gas motor. They look kind of like small motorcycles or scooters.

In some places, mopeds need to be licensed and registered. Usually, you don’t need a motorcycle license to drive a moped. In some jurisdictions, no license is required to ride.

A vintage moped with pedals
A classic moped with pedals

The Differences Between an Electric Bike and a Moped

  • The type of motor- Electric bikes use an electric motor. Mopeds usually use a gas motor. There are also electric mopeds available.
  • Where you can ride- Electric bikes are designed to be ridden pretty much anywhere you can ride a regular bike including on bike lanes and bike paths. Mopeds are designed to be ridden on the street with cars.
  • Pedals- E-bikes always have pedals. Modern mopeds usually do not have pedals. Some classic mopeds do have pedals.
  • Regulation- In most jurisdictions, mopeds require a license, registration, and insurance to ride. E-bikes usually don’t require any type of license or registration.
  • Exercise- Riding an e-bike provides exercise because you have to pedal. Riding a moped does not provide exercise because you don’t have to pedal.
  • Top speed- Most e-bikes are limited to a top speed of 20mph. Mopeds usually have a top speed of around 30mph.

Electric Bikes Vs Mopeds

An electric bike

Range

Mopeds have a longer range than e-bikes. Most mopeds come with a small gas engine with a 1.3 gallon (5 liter) gas tank. These small engines are extremely fuel efficient. They can get 100-120 mpg. If you get 100 mpg, you could ride up to 130 miles on a full tank of gas.

To compare, most e-bikes get 25-50 miles of range on a single charge. After your battery runs out, you have to charge it for a few hours.

It’s possible to extend the range of both e-bikes and mopeds. With an e-bike, you can buy a larger battery or can carry a second battery. When one runs out, swap it out for the other. It’s possible to get up to 100 miles of range out of your electric bike this way.

It’s also easy to extend the range on a moped. You can strap a gas can to your rear rack and refill your tank when you run out. If you carry an extra gallon or two of gas, you could ride well over 250 miles without having to stop at a gas station.

Winner: A moped has more range.

A man riding an e-bike with two batteries
This long-range e-bike has two batteries. One on the downtube and one on the rear rack.

Fuel Cost

On average, it costs $0.10-$0.25 to charge an electric bike, depending on the cost of electricity where you live. If you charge your e-bike most days, you’ll spend around $25-$40 per year.

Mopeds usually run on gasoline. If you ride 2000 miles per year and you get 120 mpg and gas costs $3, you’ll only spend $50 on gasoline per year. Electric mopeds are also available. Electric mopeds cost around the same to run as a electric bikes.

On average, it is a bit cheaper to charge an e-bike than to fill up a gas moped. Over the course of a year, you might save $10-$20 by riding an e-bike.

Winner: Charging an electric bicycle costs less than fueling up a gas powered moped.

Time to Charge or Refuel

It’s also important to consider the charge and refueling time and convenience. With an e-bike, all you need is an electrical outlet to charge it. You can charge at home, at work, or at some restaurants and stores. It’s easy to find a power outlet. This is extremely convenient.

With a moped, you simply drive to a gas station to fill up the tank. This is a little less convenient.

A gas station
You can quickly and easily fuel up your moped at a gas station.

One drawback to electric bikes is that they take a long time to charge. Depending on the quality of your battery, it could take anywhere from 3.5-6 hours to charge an electric bike from empty to full. With a moped, you can fuel up in just a few minutes and continue riding.

Winner: Fueling up a moped is faster. Charging an e-bike is more convenient.

Speed

Mopeds are faster than e-bikes. Most mopeds have a top speed of around 30 mph (48 kph).

Most electric bikes have their top speed electronically limited. Class 1 and class 2 e-bikes have a top speed of 20 mph (32 kph). In some countries, e-bikes have a max speed of 15.5 mph (25 kph). This is the case in much of Europe. You can ride faster but only under your own power. The motor stops providing power when you reach the top speed.

The higher speed of mopeds allows you to keep up with traffic more easily. This allows you to ride in the road. If you’re riding on a fast street, you can move over to allow people to pass.

Electric bikes usually aren’t fast enough to keep up with traffic. While riding an e-bike, you will be passed regularly. You need to stay in the bike lane or on the shoulder while riding.

There are some exceptions. Class 3 e-bikes have a top speed of 28 mph (45 kph). These are legal in some regions but illegal in others. On some e-bikes, it is also possible to remove the speed limiter. Some e-bikes don’t have a speed limiter. Some high-powered e-bikes can reach speeds of 40-60 mph (64-97 kph). These bikes are not legal in most places but enforcement is usually not very strict.

A woman riding an electric bike

There are mopeds with larger motors that have a higher top speed. It is also possible to make modifications to a moped to increase the top speed. For example, you can install a different air filter that allows for better airflow. You can install a higher-performance exhaust system. You can also install a big bore kit. These include a larger cylinder and piston to increase the displacement of your motor. You can make a 50cc moped into a 70cc moped this way. With these upgrades, you may be able to reach 40-50 mph or more.

Winner: Mopeds are usually faster than e-bikes.

Maintenance

Electric bikes and mopeds are both low maintenance. E-bikes are a bit easier to maintain than mopeds.

On an e-bike, you’ll have to replace wearable parts such as the chain, brake pads, rear cogs, cables, and tires as they wear out. Every 2-3 years, you’ll have to replace the battery. Every couple of years, you may have to grease or replace the bearings. If your electric bike has a geared motor, you will have to replace the internal gears at some point. You’ll also have to clean and lube the chain every couple of weeks. That’s about it.

You can perform all of this maintenance by yourself with some basic bike tools. Bicycles are easy to work on. You can also take your e-bike to your local bike shop to have the work done for you.

On a moped, you’ll have to replace wearable parts including the tires, brake drum or pads, cables, and belts as they wear out. You’ll also have to replace the battery around once every 5 years. On a gas-powered moped, you’ll also have to perform regular oil changes. Most manufacturers recommend you change the oil every 500-1000 miles. Most moped riders change the oil once per year in the spring.

A Vespa scooter
Mopeds require regular maintenance, such as oil changes.

The engine also requires additional maintenance. Every couple of thousand miles, you’ll have to check the valve clearance, change the air filter, replace the spark plug, check the drive belt for wear, and check the wheel and steering bearings. Gas engines are more complex than electric motors.

If you’re not very mechanical, you may need to take your moped to the dealership to have some maintenance done once in a while. It’s not quite as easy to maintain an internal combustion engine as it is to maintain an electric motor.

Winner: E-bikes are easier to maintain than mopeds.

Cost

E-bikes and mopeds are both available in a wide price range. Prices are pretty similar.

You can buy an entry-level electric bike for around $1000. Mid-range e-bikes cost around $2000-$3000. Premium e-bikes are available for $7,500-$10,000.

Entry-level mopeds start at around $800. Mid-range models cost around $2500-$4000. High-end mopeds can be bought for $6,000-$10,000.

Of course, you can save money by buying used. These two-wheeled vehicles depreciate pretty quickly.

Winner: E-bikes are slightly cheaper than mopeds.

Maintenance Cost

On average, it costs $100-$150 per year in parts to maintain an e-bike. If you can’t maintain your own bike, you’ll also have to pay for labor. This will cost you an additional $150 per year, on average. All in, you’ll spend around $100-$300 per year to maintain your e-bike. It’s also important to budget for an e-bike battery replacement every 2-4 years. This can cost $500-$900. Electric bike batteries are expensive.

An electric bike battery
E-bikes require expensive batteries. A new e-bike battery could cost $500-$900. You need to replace the battery every 2-4 years.

Mopeds are slightly more expensive to maintain because you have to maintain an internal combustion engine which is more complicated. On average, you’ll spend $300-$600 per year to maintain a moped, depending on how much you ride.

Winner: E-bikes are cheaper to maintain.

Insurance

In most places, insurance isn’t required to ride an e-bike. E-bikes are treated just like regular bicycles. There are some exceptions. Be sure to check your local laws.

Whether or not you need insurance to ride a moped depends on where you live. In most places, insurance is required. In some places, insurance is not required if your moped has a motor that is smaller than 50ccs.

Before you buy a moped, be sure to check to see whether or not you need to insure it. Also, research the cost of insurance where you live. It may help make your decision easier if insurance is expensive where you live.

Insurance for a small 50cc moped is usually pretty cheap. A basic moped insurance policy might cost $50-$100 per year for the minimum legally required insurance.

You can insure your electric bike if you choose, even if insurance is not required. If you ride an expensive electric bike it may be a good idea to insure it for theft or vandalization. E-bike insurance starts at around $100 per year.

Winner: E-bikes usually don’t require insurance. Mopeds may need insurance in some jurisdictions.

License and Registration Requirement

In most places, you don’t need to license or register your e-bike. An e-bike is treated like a normal bicycle. There are some exceptions to this. In some states, you do need to register your e-bike. Be sure to check your state’s laws.

Mopeds are a bit more regulated. In most places, you have to register your moped and get a license plate for it. This is necessary because mopeds are ridden on the road with traffic. The cost of moped registration varies by state and region. It could cost anywhere from $50-$150 per year.

Before you buy a moped, it’s a good idea to check the registration requirements and cost. If registration is expensive where you live, you might be better off with an e-bike.

Winner: E-bikes usually don’t need to be licensed or registered. Mopeds usually require licensing and registration.

Licensing and Minimum Age to Ride

In most places, you do not need a license to ride an e-bike. Anyone who is able to ride, can. There are a few states that do require a license to ride an e-bike including Alabama, Alaska, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. In most cases, a driver’s license isn’t required. In some places, you may need an e-bike operator’s license.

There is a minimum age to ride an electric bike in some places. In most countries, the minimum age is 14-16. Sometimes the minimum age depends on the class of the e-bike. For example, there may be no minimum age for class 1 and 2 e-bikes but there may be a minimum age of 16 for class 3 e-bikes.

If you’re under 16 years old, you should check the local laws to see whether or not it’s legal for you to ride an e-bike.

For mopeds, the license requirements vary. In some places, you don’t need any kind of license to ride a moped. In other places, all you need is a standard driver’s license. Sometimes, you need a motorcycle license to ride a moped.

The licensing requirements usually depend on the size of the moped’s motor. In most places, the cutoff is 50cc. If your moped has a 50cc or smaller motor, you can usually ride with no license or with just a driver’s license. If your moped has a motor that’s larger than 50cc, you often need a motorcycle permit.

The minimum age to ride a moped will depend on your jurisdiction and the type of moped. In many countries, the minimum age to ride a moped is 16. In other countries, you must be 17 or 18 to ride a moped.

Before you decide to buy a moped, it’s a good idea to check the local laws. This is particularly important if you’re a young rider.

Winner: E-bikes usually don’t require a license to ride. The minimum age to ride is also lower in most cases. In most cases, you need a driver’s license to ride a moped.

Safety

A woman riding a folding electric bike

It isn’t really clear whether electric bikes or mopeds are safer. I haven’t been able to find any studies comparing the safety of the two.

There are studies comparing electric scooters and electric bikes but e-scooters are pretty different from mopeds. You can read one of these studies here.

If I were to guess, I would say that electric bikes are safer than mopeds. There are a couple of reasons for this. First mopeds are faster than e-bikes. If you get into an accident at a higher speed, you are more likely to suffer a major injury. Mopeds are also ridden on the street with traffic. You are more likely to get hit on the road than if you are in a bike lane or on a bike path or trail.

Electric bikes and mopeds can be safe if you take some basic safety precautions. Always wear a helmet, follow the rules of the road, and stay off of fast roads where you can’t keep up with traffic. In most places, there are helmet laws. It’s also a good idea to wear some thick, protective clothes, boots, and gloves. You might also consider mounting a flag or wearing a high-vis jacket for better visibility.

Before riding, it’s also a good idea to do a quick safety inspection. Check the brakes, tires, lights, throttle, handlebars, cables, etc. to make sure everything is in good working condition.

For more in-depth info, check out my guide: Are Electric Bikes Safe?

Winner: E-bikes and mopeds can both be safe if you take some basic precautions and ride carefully.

Cargo Capacity

Electric bikes and mopeds are both capable of carrying cargo. There are lot of luggage options available.

You can mount racks and panniers to most electric bikes. Many e-bikes even come with a built-in rear rack. On most models, you can also install front racks and panniers. Alternatively, you can use bikepacking bags. You could mount a basket. If you need to carry more stuff, you can tow a cargo trailer. All e-bikes can tow a trailer. E-bikes make great grocery getters. It is also possible to go bicycle touring with an e-bike.

An e-bike with panniers
Most e-bikes can accept racks and panniers.

If you need to carry a particularly heavy load, you could ride an electric cargo bike. These are capable of hauling 220-330 pounds (100-150 kg). You could haul furniture or lumber with an electric cargo bike. Mopeds can’t carry that much weight.

It’s also possible to carry a passenger with an e-bike. On some models, you can install a passenger seat on the rear rack. If you have children you could tow them in a child trailer. You could even tow your dog in a trailer if you wanted to.

Mopeds can also carry a surprising amount of cargo. You can buy panniers for your moped. You can also install a rear rack on your moped where you can mount a rigid box or a large duffel bag. Some mopeds can also take a front rack or basket. It is also possible to tow a trailer behind your moped. You can also carry passengers on a moped. Some seats are capable of carrying three people.

If you’ve spent time in the developing world, you’ve probably seen people carrying massive amounts of cargo on mopeds, scooters, and small motorcycles. It’s amazing what these vehicles are capable of carrying. In Vietnam, I’ve seen people carrying whole pigs on their mopeds. In Uganda, I’ve seen small 150cc motorcycles loaded up with massive bags of grains. I’ve even seen a family of 5 on a small moped.

Winner: E-bikes and mopeds can both be used for hauling cargo and people.

A family of 5 on a moped in Bali

Storage

An electric bike is easier to store than a moped. This is because electric bikes are smaller. They also have don’t have a smelly gas motor so they can be stored indoors.

If you live in a small apartment, an electric bike is the better option. You can store it in your apartment. Many apartment complexes also have bike racks where you can lock your bike up. You don’t need a parking space. If you lock your electric bike up outside, you’ll want to buy a quality lock so it doesn’t get stolen.

If space is really limited, you can choose an electric folding bike. These bikes collapse down so they take up less room. You could store your folding e-bike in a closet or even under your bed.

Mopeds have to be stored outside or in a garage because they have a gas motor. You can’t store it inside. You don’t want your home to smell like gasoline.

If you don’t have a garage or shed, you’ll need to find a way to lock your moped up outside. You don’t need a whole parking space but you do need to find a place where you can park legally and securely. You don’t want your moped to get stolen.

Winner: Electric bikes are easier to store than mopeds.

Safety Gear

While riding an e-bike or a moped, it’s important to wear the proper safety gear to protect yourself in case you crash or get involved in an accident. At the very least, you need to wear a helmet. In most places, you are legally required to wear a helmet while riding an e-bike or moped.

A cyclist on a road bike wearing a helmet
It’s important to always wear a helmet and the proper safety gear while riding an electric bike or moped

While riding a moped, you should wear a motorcycle helmet with DOT and Snell safety ratings. Ideally, you should wear a full-face helmet. This will provide the most protection.

Most e-bike riders wear a standard bicycle helmet. If you ride a fast class 3 e-bike, consider wearing a motorcycle helmet instead for extra protection. Motorcycle helmets are designed for higher speeds than bicycle helmets. There are also e-bike helmets available. These offer more protection than regular bike helmets.

Because mopeds are faster, it’s a good idea to wear some additional safety gear. Consider wearing a motorcycle jacket, pants, boots, and gloves. This safety gear can save you from road rash if crash at high speeds.

Most e-bike riders don’t wear any additional safety gear other than a helmet. It is a good idea to wear a jacket, thick pants, gloves, and sturdy shoes. You don’t need motorcycle gear but wearing thick and sturdy clothing can help reduce injury if you fall off. If you ride at speeds over 25-30 mph, consider wearing motorcycle gear.

Winner: There is no winner here. You need to wear safety gear regardless of which type of vehicle you ride.

Environmental Friendliness

Electric bikes are far more environmentally friendly than mopeds. That is because they are powered by electricity. They don’t use fossil fuels and emit CO2 into the atmosphere. This makes e-bikes more sustainable. They don’t contribute to air pollution or climate change. The environmental impact is small.

Mopeds are gas powered. They emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air. Not all mopeds are gas powered. There are electric mopeds available which are just as environmentally friendly as electric bikes.

Electric bikes also make very little noise pollution. They are almost as quiet as normal bicycles. Mopeds have loud gas motors that can disturb wildlife and your neighbors. The sound of a small gas motor can be pretty annoying.

When riding off-road, it’s important to consider the environmental impact. Electric bikes and mopeds can cause damage. They can kill plants, create ruts, change water flow, and damage animal habitats. This can harm the local ecosystem. If you plan on riding off-road, only ride in areas where vehicles are legally allowed. Stay on the trail. Avoid riding off-trail or on hiking trails where vehicles are not allowed.

Winner: E-bikes are more environmentally friendly than mopeds.

A blue electric bike with a step through frame and a mid-drive motor

Cleanliness

E-bikes are cleaner than mopeds because they use an electric motor. Electric bike motors don’t use any messy automotive fluids. There is no oil, coolant, or gasoline to deal with. The only dirty job you have to deal with is cleaning and lubing the chain.

Mopeds are much more dirty because they have gas motors. You have to breathe gasoline fumes when filling up. Your hands might smell like gas after refueling. You also have to deal with changing the oil once in a while. This can be a dirty job. Some mopeds use brake fluid and coolant. You have to check the fluids once in a while. Your hands will get dirty.

Winner: Electric bicycles are much cleaner than mopeds.

Exercise

If you’re riding for exercise, an electric bike is the better choice. This is because most e-bikes require you to pedal. Pedaling is the only way to activate the pedal assist system. You’ll get some exercise from pedaling.

People often assume that riding an e-bike isn’t actually exercise because the motor does the work for you. This study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that riding an electric bike with a pedal assist system raised the heart rate enough to be considered moderate exercise. Riding an e-bike isn’t as intense of exercise as riding a normal bike but it is still considered exercise. Interestingly, the study also found that people who rode an e-bike burned more calories than those who rode a normal bike because electric bike riders rode more frequently. If you’re looking to lose some weight, an e-bike is the better choice.

Mopeds don’t require much effort to ride. The gas motor does all of the work for you. If you don’t care about exercise and you just want transportation, a moped is the better choice. For example, mopeds are the better choice for commuting because you won’t arrive at work sweaty and tired.

Winner: Electric bikes provide more exercise than mopeds.

Versatility

Electric bikes are more versatile than mopeds. The reason is that you can ride an electric bike in more places. E-bikes can be ridden on bike lanes, on the road, on bike paths, and on boardwalks. Some models can also be ridden off-road. Electric bikes can be used for transportation, running errands, carrying cargo, touring, and recreation.

An electric bike with a single pannier
You can mount a pannier on your electric bike and use it for grocery shopping

Electric bikes also offer different ride styles. Many e-bikes offer both pedal assist and throttle control systems. If you want to pedal, you can use the pedal assist system. You can adjust the level of assistance using the handlebar-mounted display. If you don’t feel like pedaling at all, you can use the throttle and ride the electric bike like a moped. Not all e-bikes have a throttle but many do.

Mopeds also offer plenty of versatility. You can use a moped for commuting, running errands, or just recreational riding around town. There are mopeds that can be taken off-road. Some classic mopeds even have pedals. Gas and electric mopeds are available.

Winner: E-bikes are more versatile than mopeds.

Noise

Electric bikes are much quieter than mopeds. The electric motor makes very little noise. You might hear a humming sound from the motor. That’s about it. While riding an e-bike, you won’t bother your neighbors.

Mopeds are much louder due to the gas motor. The noise may annoy people in your neighborhood if you ride late at night or early in the morning. Listening to a gas motor can also be annoying for the rider. If you ride a loud moped, consider wearing earplugs under your helmet. Noise is only an issue with gas mopeds. if you ride an electric moped, the sound is similar to an electric bike.

Winner: E-bikes are quieter than mopeds.

Frame Design

Mopeds usually feature a step-through frame. This makes them easy to mount and dismount. This design is great for people with limited mobility.

An e-bike with a step-through frame
An electric bike with a step-through frame

Most e-bikes have a traditional diamond frame. This makes it a bit more difficult to get on and off. There are step-through e-bikes available if you prefer.

Winner: Mopeds have a step-through frame. E-bikes are available in both traditional diamond frames and step-throughs.

Off-Road Performance

Electric bikes and mopeds can both be used for off-road riding. There are electric mountain bikes that can handle extremely rugged terrain. These models have full suspension and wide, knobby tires for extra traction.

Mopeds usually aren’t designed for off-road use. They usually have smaller wheels and less suspension travel. There are off-road mopeds available. These usually have extra ground clearance, knobby tires, and beefier suspension.

If you plan to use your electric bike or moped off-road, make sure to choose a model that is designed for off-road use. It’s also important to note that e-bikes aren’t waterproof. They are water resistant. You shouldn’t use your electric bike for water crossings.

Winner: Both e-bikes and mopeds can be ridden off-road.

An electric mountain bike with a mid-drive motor

Who Should Ride an Ebike?

  • Those who prefer riding an electric vehicle over a gas vehicle are better off going with an e-bike
  • Those on a tight budget
  • People who don’t want to deal with licensing, registration, and insurance
  • Riding for exercise
  • Those who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint
  • People without much storage space
  • Those who enjoy peace and quiet while riding will enjoy the silent electric motor

Who Should Ride a Moped?

  • Those who need a lot of range
  • Those who prefer riding a gas powered vehicle
  • People who don’t want to pedal when they ride
  • Those who like to ride at higher speeds and keep up with traffic
e-bike handlebars

My Choice

I prefer electric bikes. Modern electric bikes offer great range. For me, 30-50 miles of range is plenty. I mostly use my electric bike for recreational riding. Occasionally, I use it for running errands and buying groceries. I rarely have to ride more than 20 miles in a day.

To me, one of the biggest benefits of e-bikes is that they are quiet. I love not having to listen to a noisy gas motor while riding. My neighbors probably love it too.

I also enjoy being able to charge the bike at home. After a ride, I can simply plug my bike in for a few hours and it will be ready to ride the next day. I never have to go to gas stations and deal with smelly and dirty gasoline.

In the past, I would have said that a moped was the better choice. The main reason is range. Early e-bikes used older battery technologies that didn’t get much range. Current electric bike batteries offer excellent range.

Of course, mopeds still have their place. If I had to commute on the road, a moped would probably be the better option. E-bikes can’t really keep up with traffic in most cases.

Another Option: E-Scooters (Electric Kick Scooters)

Electric scooters

If, after reading this guide, you’re not sold on e-bikes or mopeds, another option to consider is the electric scooter. These are stand-up scooters that are powered by a small electric motor in the hub. Most electric scooters can reach speeds of up to 25km/h (15mph).

Electric scooters are cheaper than e-bikes and mopeds. Entry-level models start at around $300. They are great for those who need to take short trips in dense cities. They also work well for multi-modal transportation.

For more info, check out my guide to e-bikes vs e-scooters.

Final Thoughts

E-bikes and mopeds are both great choices if you’re looking for an alternative to your car or public transport. They both have some benefits and drawbacks to consider.

E-bikes are cheaper and easier to maintain. The range can be limited and they aren’t that fast. Mopeds offer good range and speed. The main drawback is that they often require a license, insurance, and registration. Maintenance on a gas motor is more complicated as well.

The choice really comes down to where you plan to ride, how far, and your personal preference. It’s also important to consider local regulations. Whether you go with an ebike or moped, I hope this guide has helped you in making your decision.

Do you ride an e-bike or a moped? Share your experience in the comments below!

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