An electric bicycle, e-bike, electrically assisted pedal cycles, or electrically power assisted cycles is a motorized bicycle with an integrated electric motor used to assist propulsion. Many kinds of e-bikes are available worldwide, but they generally fall into two broad categories: bikes that assist the rider's pedal-power and bikes that add a throttle, integrating moped-style functionality. Both retain the ability to be pedaled by the rider and are therefore not electric motorcycles. E-bikes use rechargeable batteries and typically are motor-powered up to 25 to 32 km/h. High-powered varieties can often travel more than 45 km/h (28 mph).
Electric bicycles have a variety of forms such as the common ebike (left), all the way to ebikes designed as a car replacement (right).
A man with a Gazelle bicycle with an electrically powered motor, 1935.
Electric bicycle by Antec, 1991
A bike equipped with an after market electric hub motor conversion kit, with the battery pack placed on the rear carrier rack
A motorized bicycle is a bicycle with an attached motor or engine and transmission used either to power the vehicle unassisted, or to assist with pedalling. Since it sometimes retains both pedals and a discrete connected drive for rider-powered propulsion, the motorized bicycle is in technical terms a true bicycle, albeit a power-assisted one. Typically they are incapable of speeds above 52 km/h (32 mph), however in recent years larger motors have been built, allowing bikes to reach speeds of upwards of 72 km/h.
A VéloSoleX motorized bicycle
1897 Millet motorcycle, showing the common ancestry of motorized bicycles and motorcycles. Note the radial engine built into the back wheel.
1948 American Flyer Whizzer-powered motor bike on display in the Martin Auto Museum
Derny motor-pacing cycle (motor mounted in frame, drive via chain to rear wheel)