Electric Bike vs. Scooter: Differences & Which Is Better

Electric power has taken the world by storm. Almost everyone now has their own personal vehicle to travel from one place to another. And with the ever-growing consciousness of environmentalism, most opt for private electric vehicles above diesel-powered cars and motorcycles.

People now realize that a car is not the best mode of transportation as they are huge and can get easily stuck in traffic jams. Because of this, electric bikes have become more popular. Most people mistake electric bikes for scooters, which is misleading because there are huge differences between the two types.

Quite simply, electric bikes work similarly to a regular bicycle, but with the addition of a small motor to help assist (or sometimes replace) pedaling. In contrast, an electric scooter is a two-wheeled scooter installed with a tiny electric motor with no pedaling required.

This article will compare electric bike vs scooters, and we will see which one of the two is better.

Let’s get right into it.

What’s an E-bike or an Electric Bike?

New trends for the foreseeable future are e-bikes or the e-bikes’ resurgence. These bikes are similar to conventional ones but mounted with small electric motors. There are two main types of e-bikes; specifically, the throttle and pedal-assist e-bikes.

Regardless of the type, an e-bike is installed with pedals, which allows the rider to pedal along with assistance from the motor.

Riding an e-bike does not require the rider to have a driver’s license. However, laws have been put in place where riders must be 14 years or above and must wear helmets (not necessarily a special helmet).

Lastly, e-bikes can go on both the main roads and in specified bike lanes. To know about the pros and cons of having an ebike, you can read our article about that.

What is an electric scooter?

An electric scooter is a stand-up scooter that works similarly to a traditional scooter but is powered by a small electric engine commonly installed in the front or rear wheel.

Contrary to e-bikes, electric scooters do not have pedals. But similar to e-bikes, you also don’t need a driver’s license to ride an electric scooter.

Electric Bike vs. Scooter

Electric bikes and electric scooters are similar in the sense that electric motors power them, but they also have a variety of differences that will be crucial in your decision-making.

Before purchasing any of the two, here are some huge distinctions between them.

Speed

It’s easy to determine which of the two is faster. Most electric scooters are smaller than electric bikes, and since they are smaller and lighter, they also have a comparably small motor, making them slower than most electric bikes.

There are three types of electric bikes, mainly class 1 that can travel at a speed of 20 miles per hour, class 2 that can also go to 20 mph, and class 3 e-bike which is the fastest that can go up to a maximum speed of 28 mph.

Meanwhile, most electric scooters have a top speed of 22 mph. So if you prefer traveling at higher speeds, the e-bike might be more your speed.

Range

Another crucial factor you must consider is the maximum distance your personal electric vehicle can travel at once. The range is dependent on how large the batteries are and how much speed boost you need.

Electric bikes can travel farther distances because of their bigger battery and efficient motors that allow them to cover distances of over 45 miles, compared to most electric scooters that can only travel a maximum of 25 miles after one full charge.

Adding to this, pedal-assist bikes can even go on longer distances as they have the option that allows e-bike riders to pedal along with the pedal assistance.

Cost

Cost is one of the most significant factors you must consider when purchasing an electric vehicle. Since e-bikes are more extensive and have a few more complex electrical components, they tend to cost more than an electric scooter.

You can easily find e-bikes on the low-end price ladder that can cost you just $300 to $800 but if you have the budget. However, you do compromise on the quality department for this price range.

However, if you want to purchase a decent-quality electric bike, then you can spend at least $1000 to $2000 for it (see here for ebikes under $2000), just like the entry-level bike Lectric XP 2.0, capable of going to a top speed of 28 mph and costing you $1,099.

Electric bikes can even go to a price range of $4,600, such as the high-end Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 1, cable traveling at a speed of 28 mph, and its huge batteries allow you to cover a distance of 105 miles.

Electric scooters tend to be the more budget-friendly choice as they cost on average just $300 and up to $600 just like the Xiaomi M365 electric scooter that only weighs 27 pounds, can travel at a maximum speed of 16.7 mph, and can cover a distance of 18.6 miles after just 5 hours of charging.

However, high-end models like theDualtron Thunder could cost you $3,899, but they make up for it via its 50 mph top speed and 75-mile range.

Convenience and portability

Most scooters and electric bikes are pretty convenient and portable. Most manufacturers now allow them to be foldable, making them easy for users to put in the garage or even under their desks. However, since scooters are relatively smaller, lighter, and have considerably fewer moving parts, they are easier to carry around.

So if you move around places frequently, a scooter might be a better choice.

Comfort

Comfort is one significant factor to consider when purchasing an electric vehicle. Generally, electric bikes are far more comfortable for most people as they have an already integrated seat.

Most scooters don’t have this feature, forcing you to stand the entire time you are traveling; however, more and more manufacturers are selling scooters that have small seats.

Another factor to consider regarding the user’s comfortability is the wheel size. Since electric scooters have smaller and narrower wheels, they make the travel experience for the rider horrible as they don’t have great suspension.

Meanwhile, e-bikes like the commuter or cruiser-style e-bikes have great shock-absorbing wheels that make the riding experience comfortable for the rider even on rough terrain.

Environmental impact

Both electric bikes and scooters are very environmentally friendly compared to other vehicles as dirty fossil fuels do not power them.

Despite this, the research found that electric scooters output 202 g of CO2 per kilometer, while the far more environmentally-friendly electric bikes only produce 5 g of CO2 for every kilometer throughout their lifetime.

Durability

Durability depends entirely on the consumer’s use and how they take care of it. One factor that also contributes to the durability of these electric vehicles is their price range. Low-end electric vehicles or products, in general, will last considerably shorter compared to high-end models.

But since electric bikes have more moving parts, are subject to heavier loads, and can be used on off-road terrains, they can easily be damaged and will require constant maintenance.

Despite this, users report that e-scooters last about 3 years on average while an electric bike lasts 5 years or more.

Utility

Whenever you are traveling or commuting, you are most likely bringing something with you, so be sure always to choose the personal electric vehicle that allows you to do that.

An electric bike is one of the best for utility. It allows you to add in accessories for additional storage capacity that will enable you to carry groceries, clothes, and even your laptop.

Electric bike manufacturers also allow consumers to add in pull-in trailers, bike trailers and even child bike seats. Contrary to this, an electric scooter does not have the option of adding accessories to them.

The law

Since electric bikes are still considered bicycles, they can ride along specified bike lanes or on the city streets. You don’t need a driver’s license to ride an electric bike. However, laws have been put in place that riders must be 14 years, or older and must be wearing a helmet at all times.

The same is applied to electric scooters where users don’t need a driver’s license. However, they cannot go on bike paths as they are deemed dangerous to pedestrians.

Safety

You always risk accidents when going on off-road adventures or are commuting; however, when comparing the two, an electric bike is safer than an electric scooter because of its faster speed and bulkier frames that will protect you from fast-moving cars or buses.

Speed is an essential factor, especially in the city streets, because you are competing with fast-moving vehicles. The faster speed boost the electric bikes provide allows the user to cross intersections and weave through traffic jams safer.

Weight

Since electric bicycles are made with bigger motors, batteries, frames, wheels and have more electrical parts than e-scooters, they tend to be heavier.

Weight is a huge deal-breaker, especially for those who suffer from medical conditions that limit their physical effort; most bikes weigh around 40 pounds and above, while some e-scooters weigh less than 10 pounds.

For more information about how much ebikes weigh, we have a separate article discussing this.

Exercise

If you prefer personal electric vehicles that can give you a great workout, e-bikes are the way to go. Like a regular bike, most electric bikes are installed with pedals that provide the option for the rider to pedal along with speed assistance.

Pedal-assist bikes work similarly to traditional bikes where you have to pedal to get the motor running; this e-bike allows for more exercise than throttle control e-bikes that can go to crazy top speeds.

E-scooters still provide you with some exercise though as they force you to stand throughout the riding duration; this is still better than the level of activity given by riding a car.

Ease

It’s no question that electric bicycles and e-scooters are easy to use. However, since the e-scooter has fewer complex parts and requires no prior knowledge of riding a standard bike, they tend to be better for new users looking to save money on public transport.

Which is better electric bike or scooter?

The popularity of electric vehicles has snowballed over the past decade. With the ever-growing consciousness of environmentalists, gas engine cars are now being slowly replaced with tiny and convenient personal use vehicles like the e-bike and e-scooter.

Determining which of the two vehicles is better entirely depends on your preference. If you prefer a faster mode of transportation that allows for better exercise, then the e-bike might be a better choice.

However, if you prefer a more accessible, more convenient mode of transportation to travel a short distance frequently, then the scooter might be a great choice.

The Great Features of Personal Electric Vehicles

Personal electric vehicles are here and they are here to stay. These convenient vehicles are slowly becoming a better choice because they can easily weave through traffic jams and don’t require expensive gas to run such as a car. In addition, they help in saving our environment via its reduced carbon emissions.

Regardless of the kind, electric vehicles are an excellent investment to have as they will save you tons of money in the long run.

Here are some benefits of e-bikes vs. electric scooters.

Benefits of E-bikes

It’s easy to determine the benefits of riding an e-bike. They are great for riding in the busy city streets, and you can even ride them on off-road trails.

They are very comfortable, fast, safe, can travel longer distances, and will keep you in great shape.

Benefits of electric scooters

Even though electric scooters don’t provide you with many such features as the electric bike, they are still an excellent choice for people who want to save money in commuting and people who has to run day-to-day errands.

They are also an excellent choice for people that do not have a lot of free space for storage as they take a tiny room to store.

They are very convenient, portable, light, and cost far less than most e-bikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is safer, an electric scooter or an electric bicycle?

Since electric bikes have a bulkier frame, they tend to protect you better in case of accidents. Studies also show that since e-scooters have narrower wheels, users are more likely to be injured because of potholes and pavement cracks.

However, electric bikes are far more likely to get hit by motorcycles and cars.

Are electric bikes faster than electric scooters?

Yes, most electric bikes travel much faster than scooters because of their relatively larger motors. Class 3 e bikes with both throttle control and pedal assistance allow you to travel at a speed of 28 mph, while the average speed of electric scooters is 20 mph. To know more about how fast do electric bikes go, you can read our article about that.

Are bikes easier to ride than scooters?

Newbie riders find riding scooters to be easier than bikes because balancing a scooter while standing up is comparably easier than balancing a bike sitting down and pedaling.

Conclusion

Personal electric vehicles are indeed an engineering marvel; they provide a better and more convenient way for commuters to travel, but they also help save our earth and cut down on carbon dioxide emissions.

Whether you are an individual looking for cheaper and faster ways to commute or just looking for an electric vehicle to use for everyday errands, we hope this article helped you become more knowledgeable about e-bikes and e-scooters and their differences.