Apr 4, 2024
Many of us have now enjoyed riding an electric scooter past stagnant traffic or seen commuters glide uphill on an electric bike.
While light electric vehicles (e-bikes and scooters) were a new talking point 10 years ago, their addition to inner-city transport, which promises a greener future and swifter commute, has made them a feature in cities worldwide.
Whether e-bikes and scooters are available in your city to hop on and off, or if you wish to purchase your own, they each come with benefits.
In this post, we’ll put electric bikes and scooters head to head to uncover which is best suited to your daily life. Read on as we look at what makes light electric vehicles so popular, the advantages of bikes and scooters, and situations where each is preferred.
You might have noticed a growing number of cyclists on bike paths or an uptick in coworkers swapping stressful car commutes for seamless scooter rides.
But why are light electric vehicles (LEVs) proving so popular as a form of personal transport?
As city dwellers look for ways to avoid traffic congestion and lower their carbon footprint, LEVs provide a convenient way to move without the expense and pollution of a car.
Here are some of the main benefits of light electric vehicles:
Light electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, which can seriously reduce a city’s air pollution. When more people use LEVs, we’re 1 step closer to car-free cities and experiencing the benefits that come with it (lower emissions, cleaner air, and quieter streets).
Light electric vehicles are agile and easy to manoeuvre, making them convenient for short trips through inner-city streets. Nothing can compete with a scooter or e-bike for stress-free travel through congested streets.
Whether you plan on purchasing your own light electric vehicle or want to use your city’s network of rental e-bikes and scooters, LEVs are more cost-effective than traditional gasoline vehicles in terms of power, maintenance, and parking.
Once you’ve tried moving around a congested city on an electric bike or electric scooter, you’ll understand why they’re so popular. Riding a light electric vehicle brings excitement to a once mundane experience. Once you start using them, they might be addictive!
Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, come equipped with a motor which helps the rider when pedalling. The only way to distinguish an electric bike from a regular pedal bike is the slightly larger-than-normal frame used to house the rechargeable battery.
Rather than simply propel the rider forward, riders must pedal the electric bike to get assistance.
The level of support determines the degree of assistance. You can still set the bike to zero assistance and pedal as you would a regular bike — you might want some help as you approach a large hill, though!
Obstacles like steep inclines and strong headwinds are more manageable with an assisted motor. And it allows you to ride further without getting tired.
Interested in how e-bikes work? Read our previous article.
Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters or motorised kick scooters, are a lightweight mode of transport with the same design as a regular scooter but with a motor that provides propulsion.
Electric scooters come with a deck for the rider to stand on, handlebars for steering and controlling acceleration/braking, and 2 small wheels.
Unlike an electric bike, e-scooters are propelled solely by the motor, meaning the rider’s feet stay on the deck, and no physical effort is required.
Since proving themselves as a convenient way to travel, electric scooters have shed their child-like associations and are considered a viable complement to local transport within packed city centres and in the suburbs.
The electric bike market in Europe is expected to see significant growth between now and 2027. With riders keen to experience the benefits of e-bikes for themselves, let’s get you up to speed with all the advantages electric bikes bring.
When it comes to comfort, electric bikes are the champion of light electric vehicles — and not just because you can sit down! The bigger wheels and frame can handle obstacles and absorb bumps, which is harder for lighter-framed electric scooters.
All in all, electric bikes provide a smoother ride and have optional motorised assistance when physical demands get too much — making for a pleasant ride with no more sweat!
While an electric scooter’s small wheels and standing deck limit it to smooth and flat surfaces, e-bikes have larger wheels and sturdier frames that allow for riding all kinds of terrain, including off-road.
With an electric bike, you can reach parts of the city and surrounding areas that are impossible to explore using their counterpart.
For outdoor enthusiasts who want their light electric vehicle to do more than inner-city commutes, e-bikes can handle out-of-city trails. They can also be customised with racks and baskets for groceries, work supplies, or even your little ones!
Since electric bikes require riders to pedal to engage the motor, e-bikes suit those seeking a blend of exercise and electric mobility. The level of motor assistance can be adjusted depending on fitness level and the type of terrain, so the rider is in complete control of the exercise intensity.
The backup motor assistance is a blessing when you find yourself at the foot of an intimidating hill or tackling strong headwinds. The assistance makes it easier to stay active and is less discouraging for newcomers to bike riding.
You might think that this makes riding an electric bike a lazier alternative. However, studies show that e-bike riders tend to get more exercise than traditional bike riders because they typically ride further and more often.
Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular with city dwellers globally. In Germany alone, the number of e-scooter riders sits at around 11.3 million! So, what is it about electric scooters that has them firmly in the urban mobility mix?
Portability is a significant advantage of electric scooters compared to other personal electric vehicles. Because of their smaller size and compact design, electric scooters tend to weigh less than electric bikes. This makes storing them at home or carrying them on public transport easier.
The electric scooter’s small and light frame makes it easy to manoeuvre through crowded city streets, tight spaces, and around obstacles.
The compact size also gives them an improved turning radius, meaning sharper turns! And thanks to the lower centre of gravity, e-scooters feel more stable than electric bikes and can be easily balanced, even at slow speeds.
Compared to the cost of an electric bike, electric scooters are more affordable. This makes them a great entry-level option for those with a smaller budget. The lower cost is partly due to the less complex design, fewer moving parts, and the smaller battery size.
In addition to the initial cost of the electric scooter, maintenance costs are also lower because fewer parts need replacing or repairing.
Since electric bikes and scooters each come with benefits, which should you choose for your journey?
The electric bike is a safe bet if your journeys typically involve long distances. The larger batteries take you farther on a single charge, and when necessary, you can pedal on an empty battery, so you’ll never be stranded halfway to your destination!
For those living in hilly areas, e-bikes are a game changer. The assisted motor helps riders soar uphill and overcome challenging, sweat-inducing terrain. While e-scooters can overcome hills, their reduced power means they cannot tackle steep inclines as easily.
Suppose you’re looking for a versatile personal electric vehicle that can be used for more than inner-city commutes. In that case, e-bikes are just as useful for jaunts through out-of-city terrain as they are for running errands and carrying groceries.
And hey, if you’re a fitness buff who wants to get a little exercise in, you can still pedal and turn off the assisted motor!
| 💰Saving tip! Many European countries offer incentives for buying an electric bike. Check the incentives available in your country. |
Moving around inner-city environments? An electric scooter is the way to go.
Their lightweight build and agility make them perfect for zipping down urban streets, dodging traffic jams, and finding urban shortcuts inaccessible to bulkier e-bikes.
Whether you need to dash across town to grab a coffee or need a last-mile solution for your bus or train journey, the electric scooter shines on short trips, making it the champion of the quick commute.
The electric scooter excels when the distance is shorter, surfaces are flat, and portability is needed.
For those feeling a little wobbly on 2 wheels, electric scooters are more comfortable for balancing beginners. The standing position is natural for new micromobility riders, and learning to ride one is a breeze.
Thanks to Bolt, you can enjoy the benefits of riding a scooter and e-bike for a fraction of the cost!
Our network of e-bikes and e-scooters — scattered across major cities — makes it easy for commuters, residents, and tourists alike to hop on and off with quick and easy rentals.
Simply find an available Bolt scooter or e-bike, unlock it with the Bolt app, and start your ride! Once you reach your destination, park your vehicle carefully for the next user.
Ready to give Bolt electric scooters and electric bikes a go? Tap the banner below to download the app today and take one for a spin!
