Do It in the Summer When You Get an E-Bike, E-Scooter or E-Skateboard

Welcome to Best Summer Ever , your guide to making the most of the sunny season. Whether you’re dreaming of the perfect summer of going on epic adventures or doing as little as possible (preferably somewhere with good air conditioning), we’ve got you covered, because the best summers don’t just happen. You must do this.

While everyone is waiting for electric cars to take over the highways, the real e-action is happening on the local bike path: 18% of pedal-assist bicycles sold in 2023 were electric, and electric vehicles made up only 7.6% of car sales. in the same year, and that’s not even counting all the electric scooters, skateboards and other equipment. It’s time to make this the best summer ever by hopping on an e-bike, e-scooter or electric unicycle and hitting the road.

What to look for in an e-bike

E-bikes are by far the best-selling personal electric vehicles for good reason. It’s as easy as riding a bike and can be used by almost anyone of any fitness level to hit the road. But the growth of the e-bike market over the past few years makes it easy to get confused about the choices, so let me break it down for you.

Prices for e-bikes vary widely. Amazon has one on sale for under $300 . On the other hand, you can spend 10 grand on a good electric road bike . But in reality, most decent starter e-bikes are in the $1,500 to $2,500 range.

With most products I’m of the “just buy a cheap one and see how it goes” mentality, but for e-bikes I make an exception. The cost cutting that allows you to buy a $300 bike has to come from somewhere, and most likely it’s cheap components that break easily and cannot be repaired (most bike repair shops won’t even look at Amazon’s no-name e-bike). . As such, they arguably pose a safety risk and probably aren’t a good deal in the long run—there are exceptions, but most name-brand e-bikes are sold direct to consumer.

Which bike is best for you depends on what kind of rider you are and where you’re going. Here’s how it breaks down into the main categories for beginners:

Cruiser electric bicycles

It’s summer, so let’s start with the quintessential summer bike: the cruiser. They are designed for a relaxed, leisurely ride and are generally designed for comfort rather than speed. Here are a couple of great cruisers to check out if that’s your thing.

• Aventon Pace 500.3 : In terms of price, performance and versatility, the Aventon Pace 500.3 is one of the best bikes I’ve ridden, especially if you’re new to e-bikes. ($1,599) ( Full review here. )

• Easy SideCar 3 MOD : A trip to the beach on an e-bike with sidecar makes a statement . The Mod Easy is a big bike, even without a pillion seat. ($4,190) (Full review coming soon.)

Commuter e-bikes

Commuter bikes are designed for utilitarian travel around the city. They are designed for comfort and can carry light loads. This is the right bike if you are looking for a bike for a short ride to and from work or to the store.

• Tenways CGO60-Pro : This single-speed, lightweight, European-style city bike features a belt drive instead of a chain drive, so maintenance is unlikely to be an issue. ($1,499.00) (Full review coming soon.)

• Propella 7S : I’ve ridden much more expensive e-bikes, but I keep coming back to the no-frills Propella. It has surprisingly high quality parts for such an inexpensive bike, and it looks cool. ($799) (Full review here. )

Folding e-bikes

These bikes are designed for easy storage and portability. This is the choice for passengers who do not have space.

• Ride 1up Portola : This inexpensive whip has a powerful motor and fits in a closet. ($995) (Full review here )

Cargo electric bikes

Cargo bikes have a large load capacity. They are designed to carry heavier loads and usually have fat tires to handle rougher terrain.

• Radrunner 3 : This muscle boy cyclist eats up dirt roads, streets and bike paths alike. It’s like a small SUV. ($2,099) ( Full review here )

Electric Mountain Bikes (E-MTB)

They are designed for off-road adventures in natural terrain. If you love mountain biking, the motor will really enhance your experience.

Let’s consider one of these options.

• Canyon Spectral CF 7 : I really like this lightweight, high-performance e-mountain bike. ($5,099) ( Full review here .)

• Jasion EB5 Electric Bike : If you want to ignore my advice and common sense and get a really cheap e-mountain bike, this Jasion sells for just $289 on Amazon and has an aggregate rating of 4.4 out of 5 with over 1,000 reviews. I still wouldn’t ride it down the driveway, let alone up the mountain, but you do it. ($289) (Review will never come out.)

Electric scooters, 0ne-wheels and skateboards

I’ve tinkered with them a little, but I don’t have as much experience riding non-bike personal electric vehicles as I’d like. To be honest, they seem like a game for young people. But if that sounds like your vibe, here are a few scooters, skateboards, and unicycles with positive reviews.

Electric scooter

Electric scooters are easier to ride than electric skateboards and are lighter than electric bicycles. They look more like toys than vehicles, making them ideal for summer.

• Segway Ninebot: Remember when Segway was going to revolutionize transportation? They can still do it. The company’s name now appears on inexpensive electric scooters that have received positive reviews from both professionals and Amazon customers.

Electric skateboards

I wouldn’t ride one of these unless you have experience with an analog skateboard, but if that’s you, you’ll have a great time on an electric skateboard.

• Wowgo 3E : An electric longboard with a belt-drive motor that sells for under $500 and gets high ratings from consumers? Sign me up please. ($483.90)

• Tynee Mini 3 Pro Electric Skateboard : On the other side of the spectrum from the longboard above is this little skateboard. It is 30 inches long but can reach a speed of 31 mph ($749).

Electric unicycles and unicycles

I’ll be honest: I find electric unicycles scary as hell. I know the self-balancing features make them easy to ride, but I imagine the unicycle physics going haywire at 20 mph and wince. But if I could overcome my fear, I bet my life would be much more enjoyable.

• One Wheel Pint X : One Wheel has been around for over a decade, so I believe they make a good product. (I don’t intend to ride it though.) ($1,100)

• INMOTION Adventure Electric Unicycle : This all-terrain electric unicycle is wild . Suspension and studded tires allow it to be ridden off-road, it can climb 50-degree slopes and is powered by a 4000W high-torque motor. God help me, I want one. ($2999)

Electric hydrofoil

They aren’t used much for transportation, but the first time I saw someone sailing over the ocean in an electric hydrofoil, it was clear that I had to ride one. My personal goal for this summer is to at least try out either a jetboard or an electric hydrofoil. They’re both supposedly easy to learn too, so wish me luck.

• Waydoo Flyer ONE Plus eFoil: They travel at speeds of over 25 mph and have a battery life of up to two hours. I don’t know if I can stand such pleasure.

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