The operation of an electric bicycle is really quite simple.
Also known as e-bikes, they differ from a conventional bicycle by a series of elements: motor, battery and controller.
The motor should stop when you stop pedaling or activate the brake. If you do not pedal, the bicycle does not move.
The electric motor (which can be integrated in the rear wheel, front wheel or near the bottom bracket) is what helps the bike move forward.
The battery is what provides power to the motor, and is very easily recharged from the mains (using a charger, of course). It is also what determines the autonomy of the bike, the more battery, the more autonomy. Although this will always depend on many other factors such as the weight of the rider, the terrain ridden or the level of assistance used.
When pedaling or turning the crankset, an electric controller registers the sensor signal and provides power to the motor to assist the bike’s forward motion at a calculated speed and force. This is the pedal assist system, a sensor that detects the speed at which you pedal or the force transmitted to the pedals.
A display acts as an on-board computer that serves to monitor assistance levels, battery charge level, km traveled, etc… all depending on the model of each bike.
*No driving license, registration or insurance is required.
According to current legislation, the motor of an electric bicycle cannot exceed 25 km/h and the power must be less than 250W. However, it is easy to reach higher speeds, especially when pedaling downhill, although this assistance will quickly be cut back to the permitted limit.