If this is the first time you have ever come across the concept of electric bikes, you might be surprised to find out that it is not quite what you expected. This is not the electric motor bike or moped as some people think. It is actually nothing quite as complicated, just picture a basic bicycle with no bells or whistles, then add an electric motor, a controller to activate and regulate power and a battery, this is an electric bike. These electrical components can be obtained in DIY kits.

You are still able to pedal this bicycle as you would with a normal bike, but it has added electrical components to assist the rider, and make his riding easier in the instances where this is required.

These bikes are not meant to be used to travel at high speeds, just to be able to give the rider assistance when they need it. It essentially augments human power and makes riding easier. This helps with people who are not fit and are cycling to become so, the older person is also taking to bike riding as a form of exercise to keep healthy, but don't need to tackle hills that might bring on a heart attack, just get the heart rate steadily up. This is where the electric motor comes in.

There are many different sizes, shapes, designs, speeds and models of these bikes for the choosing. Models for the relaxed rider, the sporty rider and the very active too! It is for you to decide what you want, and which category you fit into.

These electric motors can be the chain driven type, or even be fitted in the rear or front wheel hub. The chain driven type is more conspicuously electrical, while bikes with the motor in the wheel hubs are more streamlined.

You get varying degrees of motor strength from around 200w to 700w, it just depends what you want to use them for, or your own particular needs. Batteries are also different and some bikes allow you to choose which battery to use, while the older models don't allow for choice. Three battery types are used nickel metal hydride, lead acid and lithium ion.

The motor is operated by means of a controller; again, it is up to the user to decide where they want this to be fitted. It can be mounted on the handlebars in much the same way as a throttle would be, and it can be activated by the pedals.