High Quality, High Performance, Electric Bicycles NZ

The maximum power of an e-bike is retricted by law to 300W. But how much is 300W? To put things in perspective, an average recreational cyclist may average 150-200W of leg power over a longer ride, so a 300W e-bike motor is capable of outputting twice this. Compare this to a professional cyclist, who can output as much as 1500W for short bursts. So an e-bike should be regarded as a bike with a motor – not a motorbike!

The speed limit for an e-bike is the same as the road speed limit for the area. 

All e-bikes have some sort of speed restriction. Essentially once this maximum speed is achieved the motor switches off. At this point the bike can go faster however all the power is provided by the rider. In New Zealand some e-bikes are restricted to 25kph, whereas most can achieve 32kph or more. For a commuter bike it is recommended that the maximum speed be 32kph or greater as it is generally considered safer to be travelling at a speed closer to that of the rest of the vehicles on the road.

E-bike range is typically between 40 and 100km, but it is hugely dependant on a number of factors:

• Battery size (these can typically vary anywhere between 360Wh and 750Wh capacity – with capacity being directly proportional to range.
• Rider weight (a heavier rider will use significantly more battery power than a light rider
• Terrain – Hilly terrain will require significantly more battery power than flat terrain
• The level of support selected by the rider – A low level of support will consume significantly less power than a high level of support

Tyre pressure – Low tyre pressures can have a huge negative impact on the range of an e-bike

Footpaths are officially limited to pedestrians and bikes delivering papers or leaflets. In many cases, however, it may be safer to ride on a footpath than to ride on the road. E-bikes can be legally ridden on all shared paths and any public roads, other than motorways.

Yes, e-bikes are designed to handle typical weather conditions, including rain. However, they are not designed to be submerged in water.

Yes, you absolutely can! E-bikes offer pedal assistance, which means you can adjust how much effort you're putting in. This makes them a great option for building fitness, especially if you're new to cycling or getting back into it. Because you can control the intensity, e-bikes allow for longer, more consistent workouts—often more sustainable than pushing hard for a short time on a regular bike. Over time, this can lead to improved endurance and overall fitness.

Charging typically takes 3–6 hours, depending on the battery size and charger type.

With proper care, a good quality e-bike battery can last between 5–8 years or approximately 500–1,000 charge cycles. There are several things to be aware of when it comes to battery use and care so it is important to learn this in order to maximise the life of your e-bike battery.

An e-bike is a good option if you want to travel longer distances than you are comfortable with on a normal bike. The assistance you get from an e-bike motor means you can far easier deal with hills and headwinds. An e-bike can help you to get more exercise without feeling overly fatigued. Riding an e-bike can also be a very sociable experience as it is fun to do in groups.

Key considerations include:

• Motor type: Hub motor (motor in the wheel) vs mid-drive motor (motor between the cranks)
• Battery capacity: Determines range (bigger is not always better as big batteries are heavy)
• Bike style: Commuter, mountain, folding, etc. You also need to consider your preferred posture on a bike – more relaxed, or more forward leaning.
• Frame size and fit: You need to take any prospective bike on a good test ride to check fit and feel (avoid just doing a circle of the carpark)
• Warranty and after-sales support: Check on whether parts are readilly available for the bike you are considering. Don’t assume that just because it’s a big brand, that parts will be available.

E-Bikes are available from any specialist bicycle store. Just check that the store has a service centre on site to provide on-going service for your bike.

There are numerous ways to finance the purchase of an e-bike. Most reputable finance companies will provide finance for an e-bike purchase. There are also schemes like AfterPay or Q Card, which help to spread the payment over time without paying any interest. If your employer is a member of the WorkRide or The Wheel Deal schemes, then it allows the purchase to be structured as a lease, with considerable savings – typically 50% or better off the retail price.