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Best Electric Bikes in Canada
Scooters and electric bikes in particular have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Electric scooters have been available in most Canadian cities for public use, and a few have included e-bikes as well. If you’ve been looking in getting your own e-bike to travel easier around, bring camping, commute to work, dirt bike around, and more – our article below should help determine which one is best for what you’re looking for in an e-bike.
Our top picks
How to choose an electric bike
When looking for an electric bike, be sure to keep these key features in mind:
Motor – Most electric bikes will have similar motors, but not all are built the same way. Of course children’s e-bikes and smaller bikes will most likely have a less powerful motor powering them, but keep in mind the motor power before purchasing your electric bike, as it will be the main determining factor of how fast and powerful your e-bike is while riding, as well as how heavy it will be once the power runs out and it’s just a regular bike for pedaling.
Size and weight – The size and weight of your e-bike seems like common sense, as with regular bicycles since we all know that a heavier, higher bike may be hard to control if you’re shorter and need a lighter style. Electric bikes are the same, with the additional weight of the motor installed and more. Foldable e-bikes and lightweight framed models are becoming more easy to obtain and are rating very highly for anyone that needs to commute a lot or take their bike often to work or travel.
Style – Style is of course objective, as you might not like one style compared to another, just like any bicycle or piece of equipment. There are a plethora of colours and styles to choose from when it comes to e-bikes and they all really depend on what you personally prefer. None is better than the other when it comes to the styles.
Adjustability – Any good e-bike will have adjustable height on the seat and on the handlebars to ensure a good fit, which is especially important if you’re on the shorter or taller side of the height spectrum and have a hard time with finding bikes that fit you correctly. Adjustability is a good feature to keep an eye out for to ensure that you can always adjust it when needed.
Best e-bike for city commuting
Features
If you’re looking for an every day use city bike that allows for easy commuting and getting around without completely breaking the bank, the OKAI Stride 500W is a good start into electric bikes. The 500W is perfectly legal across Canada and can be ridden on sidewalks and bike lanes without any worry.
It can handle some heavy dirt packed roads, the smoother the better though, as this is definitely not meant for any type of off roading and is meant for sidewalks, bike lines, and commuting from A to B to C and back without any problems that comes with larger and harder to use e-bikes that are meant for off-roading. It can be stored easier, transported easier, and doesn’t take as much space up in general.
Powered by a 500W motor, it has seven speeds and three power assist levels that has the drive to take you to school, work, or on recreational rides and meeting up with friends. It connects seamlessly with OKAI’s own companion app for access to smart lock options, diagnostics if something is wrong, controls, and more. This e-bike comes with an assembly tool kit, charger, user manual, bike frame with seat and rear wheel assembled, quick release for the front wheel, headlight and safety reflector, handle bar of course, and the pedals.
Speeds up to 32km/h allow for easy speed and driving through the city to wherever you’re going, quickly. A swappable 48V 9.6Ah lithium-ion battery powers rides of up to 64km and recharges completely in just 6 hours. A bright LCD display is embedded in the handlebar for a flush and seamless look, with quick access to any information and controls. The app coupled with the bike stats features a smart lock, ride mode adjustment, real-time bike location, diagnostics, ride logs, and even more.
The front headlight and rear reflector help you stay safe when it’s dark/in lower light conditions, especially during the winter time. It has an included NFC key for added security and the convenience of instant start-ups. A 26kg aluminum alloy body and Shimano transmission parts ensure lasting durability and ease of transport when needed. The weight capacity of this bicycle is up to 118kg.
Pros
- Smaller and lighter weight than other e-bikes.
- Easy to assemble.
- Perfect for city driving and commuting every day.
- Great for transport/storage.
Cons
- Tires are not at all meant for off-roading and even some bad potholes and cracked sidewalks that are rugged could cause issues.
Specifications
Best e-bike for offroad biking
Features
If off-roading is your thing, the Ebze offroad e-bike has you covered with its fat tires and thick treads that are meant for the country trails and gravel roads. The 500W motor allows you to race over any terrain with ease and comfort, with speeds up to 32km/hr.
The tires are puncture resistant for improved stability and it offers up to 60km of riding distant on one battery charge alone, and charging back up in only a few hours. Maximum weight capacity is up to 125kg, and the robust aluminum frame makes it an ultimate utility bike geared towards mountains and trails. Five-level electric assistance enables more distance or elevation and ensures smooth, quiet riding experiences. Rechargeable battery should last for years, and the bike itself supports accessories like baskets, trailers, and more.
Assembly is easy and can be done solo, but having a second pair of hands is helpful.
Pros
- Rugged thick terrain tires great for off the beaten paths.
- Puncture resistant.
- Five pedal assists to ensure smooth rides.
- 60km of riding distance on one charge.
Cons
- Not meant for city riding.
- May be harder to transport than other e-bikes.
Specifications
Best electric bike for mountain biking
Features
If you’re in the market for a mountain bike you can take camping and also use during the week on your commute to work, the Gyrocopters mountain e-bike might be just the ticket.
It offers a smooth ride, can coast upward at up to a 15-degree angle, has a max speed of 32 km/h, and has a lightweight frame that supports most rides and commutes. With the mileage going up to around 40km in throttle mode and up to 60km in pedal assistance mode, you should be able to commute and bike around in the mountains with ease without running out of time before you need to recharge the battery to do it all again.
This one includes a 360W motor torque that gives plenty of power for high-performance with a 7-speed gear offering a speed up to 32 km/hr. 36V voltage lithium-ion battery, the mileage is up to 40km in throttle mode, 60km in pedal assistance mode. The bike weighs in at 21.5kg with a lightweight metal frame. Weight capacity is up to 120kg and spring suspension keeps you comfortable on rough terrain. Front and rear mechanical disc brakes for safety. Included with the bike are the pedals, charger, the e-bike itself, feedback card, hex key for adjustments, and 15mm spanner.
Pros
- Lightweight frame.
- Chargeable battery.
- Coasts upwards to 15-degrees. 350W.
Cons
- May not be able to handle full offroad rugged conditions that are more meant for thick, fully offroad types of tires.
Specifications
Best folding electric bike
Features
The Gotrax OTTO foldable electric city bike is a perfect choice for anyone that’s commuting a lot or enjoy bringing their bikes with them to work and then afterwards to a park, or are going out to visit friends and don’t want to drive everywhere.
The 350W brushless motor can reach a max speed of 25km/hour, has a removable 280Wh battery, and 16-inch tires that allow for a highly reliable and efficient riding performance on sidewalks, in streets, and on some dirt paths that aren’t too loose or gravelly. The foldable design of course allows for easy storage in small spaces, making it great for apartments, condos, and fitting into the trunks of cars, etc.
Pedal assist helps you pedal easier, while the removable and rechargeable battery allows for travelling up to 15.5 miles on pure electric mode with only 5.5 hours of charge time to get back to full battery. A range of 40km before it needs to be charged also helps you enjoy travel time for longer. Dual disc brakes and front shock absorbers significantly improve slowing and safety while doing so. Height adjustable seat, adjustable handlebars give some flexibility while driving, which is great if you’re shorter or taller and find that not all bikes are one size fits all. Three different riding modes – pure electric, pedal-assist, and just riding like a normal bike ensure that whatever your ability or want to travel that day goes, you’ll have options available. And of course, it functions just like a regular bicycle if the battery is drained.
It can fit a basket on the rear cargo or bags, on the cargo rack to carry bags. Also works great for grocery runs and shopping.
Pros
- Easy to fold/unfold and store.
- Decent weight for carrying.
- Durable
Cons
- 25km/hr maximum speed.
Gotrax OTTO Foldable Electric City Bike
Specifications
Everything you need to know about electric bikes
How do electric bikes work?
Electric bikes work by utilizing a motor that allows the user to bike easier. Some designs allow the bike to move forward on its own, and others simply start up once electric pedals get going i.e when you start pedaling. There are different classes of e-bike, some are closer to regular bicycles and others are closer to legally being motorcycles than they are bicycles.
Should I get a scooter or an electric bike?
Scooters compared to e-bikes will matter based on what your location is like and what you need it for more often than not. Scooters are typically a bit slower, don’t do so well along bumpy or uneven ground, and their range isn’t as long – however they are easier to park and carry around. They’re also more affordable for most users.
Electric bicycles are great if you prefer to bike and don’t have any issues with storage and prefer it in general. E-bikes do have a range of cost though as well, anywhere from around $500 upwards to thousands of dollars.
How fast do e-bikes go?
How fast e-bikes go depends on the classification of the bike itself. There are faster models, but in general, motor assisted bikes will propel them upwards from 20 to 28 mph/32 to 45km /hr. The reason that e-bikes are in different classes is because they need to be classified as vehicles or lack thereof for legal reasons and for where you can drive them.
How much is an electric bike in Canada?
Electric bikes wildly vary based on what you’re looking for and how in depth you want to go. They can cost anywhere from $500 upwards to thousands.
Safety tips on how to ride an electric bike
Much like regular bikes, be sure to always wear a helmet – not just because it’s legal but because head accidents are no joke, especially coupled with the fact that on an e-bike you’re travelling even faster than you would be normally with a regular bicycle.
How long do electric bike batteries last?
E-bike batteries as a whole will last anywhere from 3 to 9 years, depending on their quality. Materials used in their construction, quality of the battery cells, and of course the overall design and manufacturing process.
Is it legal to drive an e-bike in Canada?
Yes! It is legal to drive e-bikes in Canada. Be sure to check the classification type and any municipal and provincial laws that may be in place anyways that have to do with e-bikes and scooters, especially if you’re located in the city.
What is the fastest e-bike available in Canada?
In Canada, the fastest an e-bike is legally allowed to go is a maximum speed of 32km/hr (20mph) on motor power alone. It’s of course possible to ride faster than that, but the motor cannot exceed that speed on its own. Any e-bike that goes faster than that on the pure electric mode may not be legal and be sure to check any provincial/municipal laws regarding electric bicycles to be sure, just in case.
