Choosing Your First E-Bike at 65 and Over

An electric bike, or e-bike, is a regular bicycle with a small motor and a battery. The motor helps you pedal, so hills feel flat and long rides feel shorter. For riders over 65, this can be the difference between giving up cycling and riding three or four times a week.

There are two ways an e-bike motor helps. Pedal-assist means the motor turns on only when you pedal. You still get exercise, but the motor takes the hard edge off. Throttle means the motor moves the bike on its own when you press a button or twist a grip, much like a small scooter. Most riders prefer pedal-assist for daily riding and use the throttle for starting from a stop or climbing a steep hill.

Step-through frames have a low bar in the middle. So you can step over the bike instead of swinging a leg high over the back. For anyone with hip stiffness, balance concerns, or a history of falls, a step-through frame is a much safer starting point than a traditional top-tube frame.

Weight matters more than most stores admit. A 60 to 70 pound e-bike is fine to ride but very hard to lift onto a car rack or carry up a porch step. If you live in an apartment or plan to drive your bike to trails, look at lighter models in the 40 to 50 pound range.

Most reputable bike shops let you take an e-bike for a 15 to 30 minute test ride. Use it. Pay attention to how comfortable it feels to mount, how the brakes feel, and whether the seat fits your body. (Sources: AARP guide to e-bikes for older adults; Consumer Reports e-bike buyer guide; PeopleForBikes safety resources.)