When the weather is on your side, there’s nothing quite like hopping on an electric scooter or an electric bike for a quick (or long) ride. Both modes of electric transportation are a fun way to get from Point A to Point B quickly without having to rev up the car engine, Plus, you get some activity in, too! You might be deciding between the two and wondering which one would best fit your needs and lifestyle. Both serve a similar purpose but there are big differences between them that could sway you towards one versus another.
In this article, we’ll walk you through electric scooters vs electric bikes and the differences in everything from design to operation and speed. We’ll also dive into other important aspects, like price, safety, environmental impact, and practical considerations, like storage and parking. By the end, you will be armed with all the necessary information to make an informed decision.
Overview of e-scooters and e-bikes
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of how electric scooters and electric bikes compare, let’s first define what each is and how it differs from the other.
What is an e-scooter?
An electric scooter, otherwise known as an e-scooter, is a motorized version of a traditional scooter. It consists of a flat board atop wheels with a T-bar style handlebar attached to the front that reaches your hands. Hold onto the bars, turn on the motor, and you can literally scoot down the road, sidewalk, or trail without having to use your legs to create manual motion for power. They are typically lightweight and compact, many able to fold up for easy storage as well. Learn all about electric scooters in our electric scooter buying guide.
What is an e-bike?
Also called an e-bike, an electric bike looks identical to a standard bicycle except for one major difference: it has a motor that provides power. This allows you to either sit back and enjoy the ride or continue pedalling with assistance to help you get further, faster, or scale big hills. Like regular bicycles, they come in various types, including road, mountain, fat tire, and folding. There are both pedal assist bikes and throttle assist with a switch on the handlebars to engage the motor as needed. Learn all about electric bikes in our electric bike buying guide.
Performance comparison
Now that you know what each is, let’s look at how they compare when it comes to some of the key factors.
Speed and range
Both electric bikes and electric scooters must comply with local safety rules and regulations when it comes to speed and range. Typically, e-bikes can go slightly faster for longer, which isn’t surprising given their size compared to smaller e-scooters. But you can find higher-end e-scooters from brands like Segway and Gotrax that can go just as fast as e-bikes.
Usually, an e-bike must not exceed 32 km/hr and offer a 32-120km range, depending on the model. Electric scooter regulations indicate that they should not exceed about 24 km/hr, though this may vary based on your region. They offer a range of about 16 to 55km, the latter for the highest-end models and the former for entry-level ones and models for kids. Despite how fast either can go, it’s important to check the regulations in your area to ensure you stick within them.
Battery life and charging
Battery life for an e-bike is based on the range, so as noted, you can go as far as 120km on a single charge with some models. With e-scooters, it’s usually less, up to a maximum of about 80km. For most models, however, it hovers around 24km per charge.
It will take anywhere from 3-6 hours to recharge an e-bike fully, while an e-scooter can charge back to full battery capacity in anywhere from 4-20 hours. This varies depending on the model and the power provided from your charger. Ideally, regardless of which one you have, charge it once you’re done a ride so it’s always ready for the next one.
Portability and storage
While there are folding electric bikes, electric scooters are generally more portable. They are already much smaller in size and most have handlebars that fold down so you can easily carry them by hand or pop it in the trunk of a car. The smallest electric scooters can weigh under 20 lbs. while larger ones can be between 20-45 lbs. and the heaviest duty options up to 66 lbs.
Electric bikes are relatively lightweight as well, up to 80 lb., but they are heavier than a standard bicycle since they contain motors. You won’t be able to easily lift one. Some can fold up and potentially fit in a large trunk. But for the average size car, you’ll need a bike rack to transport it. Note that since electric bikes are bigger and generally heavier than electric scooters, you wouldn’t be able to do things like scale stairways at a subway station, for example, which you could probably do with an electric scooter.
When it comes to storage, electric scooters are small enough to lean up against the side of a wall in the garage or shed. You might even be able to place one atop a sturdy shelf or hang it on the wall. Because electric bikes are larger, they are easiest to store in a dedicated spot with space to manoeuvre it in and out with ease. You may be able to hang it on a wall as well, just as you would a regular bike. Ideally, stand it up beside a power outlet where it can be charged.
Cost analysis
Price is likely a factor in your purchasing decision, so it’s important to know how much you might have to spend for one or the other.
Initial purchase price
Electric bikes sell for anywhere from $370 up to as much as $4,000. There’s a wide price range depending on the type, brand, power, options, and features. By comparison, electric scooters tend to cost less, running anywhere from $100 for entry-level models or ones for kids up to $2,000 for the most premium options.
Maintenance costs
Both electric bikes and electric scooters require some maintenance. This includes checking tire pressure, consistent charging, and regular cleaning. Batteries will lose capacity over time, and if you live in a climate where you won’t be riding all year ‘round, you’ll want to ensure you don’t keep it discharged for too long. Eventually, you will need to replace the battery. If you want to continue riding an electric bike in different weather conditions or on different terrain, you might have to invest in a second set of tires to suit. You also need to make sure it’s safely kept away from extreme temperatures to avoid extra maintenance costs due to damage.
Operational costs
The biggest operational cost with an electric bike and an electric scooter relates to charging and the electricity needs. Naturally, since electric bikes are larger and have more power, they come with higher operational costs. However, with both, you’re saving in the long run by not taking a motor vehicle out for short trips when an electric bike or electric scooter will do. When you factor in gas (or EV charging) and wear and tear on the vehicle, you’re still coming out ahead. Not to mention that you’re enjoying the benefit of being more active at the same time!
Safety considerations
As with any mode of transportation, there are safety considerations you need to take with both.
Be aware of rising accidents
Most provinces and U.S. cities report an uptick in accidents with bikes and scooters alongside the rise in electric bike and scooter use. According to a study by JAMA Network, electric bike injuries doubled between 2017 and 2022 while electric scooter injuries increased by 45 percent annually. These dangers have always existed even with traditional bicycles and scooters, of course. But the study found that data relating to injuries by human-powered bicycles and scooter remained flat during that same time period. The ability to go faster and the temptation to ride on the road thanks to the extra power is cause for concern. When following the rules and engaging in proper safety protocols, however, you can minimize these risks.
Safety features
You can mitigate a lot of the aforementioned concerns by following proper safety rules. This means always maintaining the proper speed limit based on the regulations where you’re riding, even if the electric bike or electric scooter can go faster. Make use of built-in safety features, like lights and reflectors, especially when riding at night. Engage the brakes as needed and use the built-in or third-party horn if necessary.
Helmet usage and regulations
Whether you’re riding an electric bike or an electric scooter, it’s important to always wear a helmet. In fact, it’s a legal requirement. It should have a soft inner lining with a harder outer shell to protect your skull. Especially with electric scooters, kids, and beginners, consider other safety gear as well, like wrist guards and knee and elbow pads. These can lessen the impact during a fall.
Environmental impact
Along with the active benefits you get from riding an electric bike or scooter, both also have positive environmental impacts.
Energy efficiency
Both are more energy efficient means of transportation in place of a motor vehicle. To put it in numbers, both typically consume about 10-20 watts per hour of electricity per 1.6 kilometres. However, electric bikes surprisingly tend to be more energy efficient since they end up using less energy per kilometre and have a longer lifespan overall. When it comes down to it, though, both are more energy efficient than a motor vehicle for traveling short distances.
Carbon footprint
In both cases, you’re helping reduce your carbon footprint by replacing the car with this alternative mode of electric transportation when the opportunity arises for short trips. Using these reduces fossil fuel emissions, lessens your need for gas (or more frequent charging of your EV vehicle) and the costs that come with it, and helps the planet overall.
User experience
Whether you choose an electric bike or an electric scooter may depend on which set-up you find more comfortable, easier to use, and more convenient for storage.
Comfort
With an electric bike, you sit down on a comfortable seat as you slightly lean forward to hold onto the handlebars and ride while pedaling your feet or keeping them stationary as the bike motor does all the work. By contrast, you’re standing upright on an electric scooter, feet flat on the board while holding onto the handlebars in front of you. It all depends which orientation you prefer. You might find that an electric bike is more comfortable since you’re seated. This is ideal if you have balance issues or can’t stand for long periods of time. But if your back is more comfortable when standing upright, you find that it’s better for your posture, and it’s easier to hop on and off, an electric scooter might be preferred.
Learning curve
The expression “it’s like riding a bike” exists for a reason. If you know how to ride a bicycle, there’s virtually no learning curve when it comes to the basic mechanics of an electric bicycle. You just need to get used to the addition of added power and how to operate it. Once you have that down, it is indeed just like riding a bike.
By contrast, an electric scooter requires a bigger learning curve, especially if you haven’t ridden non-electric scooters before. You’ll need to work on your balance and get used to navigating around corners, smooth breaking, and tackling different terrains. You might also find it jarring at first when you turn on the power and realize how much more quickly you can go versus when using a manual scooter.
Storage and parking
For many, storage and parking could be the deciding factor. If you live in an urban area without a garage or you reside in a small house or apartment, you might not have a dedicated spot to store an electric bike. Since they’re big, you might be reluctant to bring it inside. Thus, they’re ideal for those who have the proper place to not only store but also charge them. However, if you can find a compact, foldable electric bike, this could work for you. There are more options with an electric scooter, which you can fold and tuck away in a closet or basement to bring out only when you need it. They require less storage space overall.
When it comes to parking, you can easily park either in dedicated parking spots. However, make sure to invest in a secure bike lock to prevent theft. Naturally, it’s easier for a smaller electric scooter to be stolen then a larger electric bike, but both will be enticing to thieves.
Types of terrain
The types of terrain you want to travel on may impact your decision as well. If you plan to ride on trails with big hills, winding roads, or rough terrain, an electric bike is the better option. Electric scooters, meanwhile, might be ideal for urban areas where you’re traveling mostly on flat roads, especially when it’s a tight and busy city environment. But keep in mind that some higher end electric scooters are designed for tackling rough terrain, too, so you shouldn’t rule them out entirely.
Make the right choice for your next ride
When it comes to electric scooters vs electric bikes, the decision will come down to a few key factors. Which are you most comfortable riding and how far and how often do you plan to ride, including on what type of terrain? Consider where you live and where you’ll be able to store it. If you plan to travel with it, you’ll need bike racks for your car to take an e-bike with you whereas an e-scooter can more easily fold down and fit in the trunk. Price, performance, maintenance, and safety concerns also come into play.
Those living in rural areas, who want to ride on hilly trails, are looking for exercise, and who want to ride longer distances are best off with an electric bicycle. They add electric power but you also have the option to leverage features like pedal assist so the power only kicks in when you need it. If you’re pedalling for most of the ride, you’re still getting a good workout.
City commuters, however, might prefer the smaller, more compact design of an electric scooter that’s an easy way to get from one place to another faster than walking. You don’t need much room to store it and can hop on with your messenger bag or backpack to head to work or school for the day and enjoy the wind in your hair as you ride. If you live in a dense downtown area where there are lots of parked cars, buildings, and pedestrians, you may also find that it’s easier to navigate on an electric scooter as well.
Bottom line: electric bikes are great for longer distances and fitness while electric scooters are best for shorter distances and commuting as a priority.
Whichever you decide on, remember to follow the rules, including using bike lanes when available, wearing a helmet at all times, watching out for road signs, and maintaining a safe speed limit. In no time, you’ll be enjoying your exciting new electric toy and appreciating the exercise, outdoor time, and cost and environmental savings in doing so.
Check out a wide selection of electric bikes and electric scooters at Best Buy Canada.
