How does an e-bike work?

An e-bike is an advanced form of a normal bicycle, which together with the components you’d usually expect also has a motor, battery, control unit, display and sensors. An e-bike uses the motor’s torque to provide pedal assist – in other words, to help you move faster. The motor is positioned either on the front wheel, rear wheel or attached to the frame in the centre of the e-bike. How much pedal assist you get from the motor is controlled through the different assistance levels but you can set on the handlebar display unit. How the motor provides pedal assist is determined by factors including the type of sensor on the e-bike. Pressure sensors feel how hard you’re pedalling, while cadence sensors keep track of how quickly the pedal spindles are rotating. You get pedal assist up to a maximum of 25 km/h, which is the EU’s legal requirement for e-bikes. Over 25 km/h, the e-bike works like a normal bicycle. You can also completely turn off pedal assist using the display.