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

Authorities said the assailant, wearing a hooded jacket, balaclava, and gray backpack, fled on foot before mounting an electric bike and riding into Central Park. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

The suspect, who fled first on foot then on an electric bike, was last seen in Central Park and is still at large, Tisch said. —Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

The suspect is seen riding an electric bike into Central Park at 60th Street, according to Kenny. —Rebekah Riess, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

For restrictions on electric bikes, visit the website. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above