Are you trying to decide between an electric scooter and an e-bike? If so, it can be a tough choice. Both are a lot of fun, a good way to avoid traffic, and great for the environment, among other benefits.
But while they share some common benefits, there are also plenty of differences too. Here we’ll check out what those differences are so that you know which one is perfect for you. Let’s get started!
Electric Scooters vs. E-Bikes: Which Is Better?
Before we make these comparisons, it’s important to note that we’ll be mainly focusing on the average electric scooter vs. the average electric bike.
For example, a top of the range electric scooter may have a higher top speed than a bottom of the line e-bike. However, on average, an e-bike is going to be quicker.
With that in mind, let’s start comparing them by looking at their range and speed.
Range and Speed
In terms of power, there is only one winner here, and that is e-bikes. They generally have larger motors with bigger batteries. That’s because they have the frame to support them, and weight isn’t as much of a concern as it is with scooters.
The exact range you’ll get differs from one model to the next, and there are different types available. A basic e-bike often will have a range of at least 25 miles, while a basic scooter may only have a range of 10 miles. If you’re willing to spend more, then both can have much higher ranges than that.
Speed isn’t a straightforward spec with both vehicles. Many e-bikes will stop providing pedal assist after 20 or 28mph. In comparison, most people would be too scared to ride at 28 mph on a scooter. Speed isn’t really important for both types, but e-bikes are going to be quicker.
Winner: E-Bikes
Comfort
What’s more comfortable, sitting or standing up? Unless you’re like most people, your answer is going to be sitting down. Therefore, it’s hard to argue against e-bikes not being the more comfortable option of the two.
If you’re tired, then you need very minimal effort on an ebike. You can just sit down, slightly pedal, and the bike is going to do the rest of the work. The only thing to mention is that sitting down on a bike seat for long periods can be uncomfortable without adequate seat padding.
While e-bikes are usually more comfortable, with many scooters you usually have the option to add a seat to them. This makes scooters much easier to ride for long periods. While that’s true, sitting down on a scooter still isn’t quite as easy as sitting down on a bike, as they require more balance.
Winner: E-Bikes
Fun
Many people look at both of these options as they plan to commute to work, deliver for their job, or for some other practical reason. There are others out there who just want them for a bit of fun. You can, of course, get them for both reasons.
There is no winner here, as it depends on your personality. Many people love riding e-bikes as they can travel great distances in comfort while still feeling connected to the outdoors. There are also off-road e-bikes that are great for riding on trails.
Due to the lower level of stability with the smaller wheels, electric scooters can be more of a thrill to ride. 20mph on a scooter feels a lot faster than 20mph on a bike. However, with scooters, you can’t really take them off a smoothly paved path.
So the answer of which one is more fun comes down to personal preference. You have the range and versatility of an e-bike against the thrill and agility of an electric scooter.
Winner: Tie
Portability
If we’re counting scores so far, it’d be 2-0 to the e-bike with one tie. However, portability is a win for the electric scooter. They are much smaller and much lighter. This means you can easily take them anywhere with you.
For example, you work on the second floor of an office building. You can fold your scooter up and carry it up the stairs and leave it by your desk for the rest of the day. You could even plug it in to make sure it’s fully charged.
Of course, electric bikes are still portable. However, they aren’t quite as easy to carry around. You’ll usually need to find somewhere safe to lock them up. It’s worth pointing out that an e-bike is usually significantly heavier than a regular bike.
Winner: Electric Scooters
Cost
Here’s another win for the electric scooter to pull it back to 2-2. For a middle-of-the-range electric scooter and e-bike, you can expect to pay approximately half for a scooter than you would a bike.
Comparing costs can be difficult as each model will have its own specifications that go into the final price. However, if budget is a big concern for you and you want a small personal electric vehicle to get you from A to B, then a scooter will be a better option.
There is a lot more that goes into making an e-bike, and it’s also the more powerful of the two options. If you really need an e-bike, then it’s probably worth paying a little extra to get what you need.
Winner: Electric Scooters
Safety
Both of these small vehicles have their safety concerns. You need to be sensible and ride them in the correct way. If you don’t take any risks and are mindful of your surroundings, then both of them are going to be safe.
That being said, there are a few reasons why an e-bike would be regarded as safer. For one, they have bigger wheels which makes them easier to balance and more stable. Bikes are also able to cope with bumps and holes in the road much more easily without losing control.
However, you may also be worried about the safety aspect of theft. Here an electric scooter would be a better option. As mentioned before, you can usually take an e-scooter wherever you want to go, whereas an electric bike would need to be locked up.
Winner: E-Bikes
Legality
The legality of both of these options is a grey area in many places. Different countries/states/provinces can all have their own rules when it comes to where you can ride them and how powerful they need to be.
Wherever you are in the world, it’s a good idea to check your local laws. For example, many places ban e-scooters from riding on the roads, and there are places that have a limit on how powerful an e-bike can be before they are classed as a motorcycle.
The law around both options is improving as local governments see all the benefits they provide, such as cutting down carbon emissions and reducing traffic. Even so, double-check the local laws for both, as this may make up your mind.
Winner: Tie
Eco-Friendliness
Is a part of the reason you’re looking into these options because you want to reduce your carbon footprint and do your bit for the environment? If so, then both of them are going to be a great idea and are much better than getting into your car.
If we had to pick a winner, it would be an electric scooter. This is simply because they are smaller, and therefore their carbon footprint is going to be smaller. Also, the batteries on e-bikes are larger and, therefore, will need more power.
That shouldn’t discourage you from getting an e-bike, though. They are still a much better option than almost every other mode of transport.
Winner: Electric Scooters
Durability
It’s hard to compare durability as this can change dramatically from one brand to another. E-bikes are more robust than scooters generally, but there is also more to go wrong. This means maintenance costs can be a little higher.
If we were to give ballpark figures, you’d hope that your e-bike will last for around five years, whereas, with an e-scooter, you can expect a lifespan of around three years. Both can last longer or shorter than this, depending on a wide range of factors.
Winner: E-Bikes
Exercise
For those keeping the score, we’ve given e-bikes the win in four categories and the e-scooter in three, with two ties. So, which one wins when it comes to exercise? Again, this can come down to personal preference, but we’d give the win to the e-bike.
That’s because, on an e-bike, you can push harder and go for longer. You also have the option to turn off the assist. With e-bikes, you can be inclined to go for a long cruise on them, whereas electric scooters are generally better for shorter journeys.
Winner: E-Bikes
Which One Wins?
In terms of the scoreline, it finished 5-3 to the e-bikes, but the winner isn’t that obvious, as it depends on what you’re looking for. If you live a couple of miles away from your work and need something cheap and portable, then an electric scooter will be a better call.
If you live five miles away from work, have secure bike storage, and also want to go on long rides on the weekend, then an e-bike would be better. Write down what is most important to you and see which option most closely matches your requirements. Once you do that, you’ll have a clear idea of which one you should get.
