electric bike

noun

variants or e-bike

ˈē-ˌbīk 

or electric bicycle

plural electric bikes or e-bikes or electric bicycles

: a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that may be activated in order to assist with or replace pedaling

Just like any bike, electric bikes come with a ton of different technical specs that you may or may not care about.

—Adrienne So

For many years, e-bikes carried the stigma of being vehicles for lazy pedalers and seniors. The bikes draw power from a battery and motor to make pedaling significantly easier. You can also accelerate with the press of a button, transforming cycling from a strenuous exercise into a joy ride.

—Brian X. Chen

Examples of electric bike in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shuttle buses and electric bikes will transport athletes around the Olympic Village. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 10 July 2024

Hundreds of people — families, teenagers, little kids — arrived by minivan, SUV, golf cart, electric bike and scooter for a concert in the park. —Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024

Guests can explore Buffalo Bayou Park’s trails on complimentary eco-friendly electric bikes. —Pat Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2024

Many electric bikes and scooters sold in the US in recent years may contain batteries that have not been approved by consumer safety labs. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above