Micro mobility is getting better and better as personal electric vehicles are getting popular for their affordability, comfort, and convenience. Whether it’s an electric scooter or an electric bike, you can quickly reach your office, school, or workplace while avoiding rush hour traffic. When it comes to finding the best personal electric vehicle, it is challenging to choose between an electric scooter and an electric bike. From storage to portability, every single factor matters when you are investing in a personal e-vehicle. Both electric vehicles are many similar features which can be confusing for a beginner. Also, the differences make a significant difference when you are buying your first e-vehicle. The electric scooter vs electric bike detailed comparison will help you to make the right decision in selecting your first personal electric vehicle.
Electric Scooter vs Electric bike – Similarities and Differences
Riding Comfort
The first and most important thing to consider is riding comfort. Think about whether sitting or standing is more comfortable for you. You can add a seat to most electric scooters, but typically, they don’t have a seat. Most riders prefer to enjoy riding while standing on their electric scooters. When it comes to electric bikes, they offer a comfortable seat.
One notable benefit of e-scooters is that you can ride them while standing. Spending a day at a desk can cause fatigue in the hip, back, and knee. That’s where standup riding helps to relieve strain each day. E-scooter is a definite winner here.
However, you can’t cover long distances while standing on your electric scooter. That’s where you need an electric bike for long distances.
Another feature is the stopping mechanism of your personal electric vehicles. Electric bikes don’t have suspension. Over time, uneven terrains, road bumps, and potholes may cause damage.
Thanks to innovative technology, electric scooters feature robust suspension. When riding an electric scooter through the streets, you can enjoy super smooth riding. Most electric scooters for girls are equipped with a seat for riding convenience and comfort.
Speed
Nowadays, e-scooters and e-bikes offer fast speeds. They can’t compete with powerful vehicles like cars and trucks, but they are fast. Electric scooters have the fastest speed of up to 85 mph, whereas electric bikes have the fastest speed of up to 50 mph.
Depending on the motor power, battery, and e-vehicle model, the speed of these convenient vehicles may vary. E-scooters are sleek and practical that allow effortless navigation around the town. On the contrary, electric bikes have a large frame with slightly heavy weight and hard navigation compared to e-scooters.
Typically, electric scooters are made for shorter trips, and they have an average speed of up to 25 mph. Electric bikes are made for longer trips and offer an average speed of up to 30 mph.
Battery Life & Range
For everyday commuting, battery life is the most important aspect of e-vehicles. For instance, if you commute 8 miles daily, it is essential to select an electric vehicle with at least 1 miles range. However, large battery offers better mileage than small batteries.
You don’t need to plug your e-scooter or e-bike in every time you reach home at home if the battery life is longer.
Electric bikes are created for long rides, and therefore, they have large batteries. Although there are the longest-range electric scooters available on the market when it comes to mileage, electric bikes are the best.
Typically, electric scooters can cover up to 35-40 miles on a single charge. However, different factors like rider weight, terrain type, and scooter model may affect the mileage.
On the other hand, electric bikes offer up to 70 miles on a single charge. But the mileage can be affected by the above-mentioned factors.
Portability
E-bikes are bigger and bulkier than e-scooters, and therefore, they can’t compete with the convenience and portability offered by e-scooters. E-scooters take less space for storage, whereas you need bigger space for e-bike storage.
If you are not living on the ground floor, you need to part the e-bike outside of your building. On the contrary, electric scooters are highly portable. You can easily fold and disassemble them according to your convenience. You can effortlessly transport the e-scooter upstairs and store it in the car trunk easily.
An electric bike weighs up to 100 lbs, whereas the average weight of an electric scooter is up to 30 lbs.
There is a situation when you need to utilize an electric bike or electric scooter as a temporary transportation mode to go to the train or bus station. That’s where an e-scooter is the best option, as you can conveniently carry and store it anywhere.
Riding Style
This is one area that specifically refers to the electric bike. You can choose from different riding options, including electric pedal assist, throttle control, and manual pedaling.
For instance, if you are riding on a straight flat road, you can easily pedal o a regular bike. When you reach the dread hill, switch to the throttle.
You can also switch to the electric pedal assist mode. It is the medium of pedaling where the e-bike motor offers additional help with each rotation.
An electric scooter also has various riding modes, but they don’t involve any physical element.
Durability
Electric bikes are basically regular bikes with a motor and battery added. Most e-bike-related issues are easy to fix. Broken spokes, flat tires, and chains need replacement or tightening.
To be honest, e-bikes are more durable than e-scooters. Compared to electric bikes, e-scooters are relatively new to the personal electric vehicle market.
There are intended for short distances and, therefore, may not last like e-bikes if exposed to long distances. Although the frame material, tires, and deck are durable but they can’t withstand uneven terrains, whereas e-bikes are the champion on all terrains.
Safety Features
Whether it is an electric bike, electric scooter, or any other e-vehicle, safety is the top concern of every ride. Both e-vehicles are excellent safe modes of transportation when used properly. However, which one is safe? That’s one question that needs to be answered properly.
An e-scooter is slightly less safe compared to an e-bike. There are two reasons for it.
Some riders of the electric scooter are more aggressive than those on electric bikes. That’s because electric scooters are manufactured to allow the rider to enjoy themselves while getting from one point to another.
This is one common reason why electric scooters lose control.
On the contrary, the electric bike rider is more cautious and only uses the bike to go to and from his destination. E-scooters are closer to the ground; therefore, beginner riders may find it convenient to lose balance or control. However, you can choose three-wheel electric scooters to get rid of the problem.
A three-wheel electric scooter offers ideal stability and control to keep new riders safe.
The tires on e-bikes are substantially bigger; they are considered to be safe. However, you can easily find e-scooters with sizable pneumatic tires.
Versatility and Fun
Commonly, these e-vehicles are used to take a ride from point A to point B, but why are you missing the fun in doing so? I found electric scooters more entertaining than electric bikes. There are off-road electric scooters that allow you to enjoy traveling on any surface, including gravel roads, beaches, or grass.
Unfortunately, e-bikes aren’t versatile as e-scooters. These bikes are designed only for use on the streets.
Price
Before making a decision, you should take a look at the price of both personal e-vehicles. Selecting an item primarily on the price is not the best strategy as, usually, you get what you pay for.
An electric scooter is more inexpensive than an e-bike. You can save money by choosing the e-scooter when comparing the best models in each category. Even the best electric scooter on the market costs less than $3k.
On the contrary, the best electric bike costs more than $5k. If you are looking to save money and buy a high-quality personal e-vehicle, an electric scooter is the best option.
Final words:
An electric bike and an electric scooter are two excellent modes of transportation, but they are not ideally interchangeable. Choosing the best between the two e-vehicles entirely depend on your personal preference as both are similar and different in many ways. For instance, if you are looking for comfort and convenience, an electric scooter is a perfect choice. On the other hand, electric bikes are best for covering long distances and for easy maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Which is better for commuting, an electric bike or an electric scooter?
Both electric vehicles have unique features. For instance, an electric scooter can reach up to 40 miles on a single charge, whereas an electric bike can easily cover up to 100 miles on one charge. However, the battery capacity and motor type may affect the mileage.
- Are electric bikes heavier?
Electric bikes are heavier than typical bikes, with an average weight of 100 lbs.
- Are electric bikes faster than electric scooters?
Electric bikes are faster than electric scooters as they accelerate quickly, handle different terrains and offer maximum comfort with seats compared to electric scooters.
Arnold A. Jones: Your go-to source for electric scooters, hoverboards, and skateboards! Riding enthusiast and expert sharing tips, trends, and insights for riders of all levels. Stay in the know with Arnold’s expertise.
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