Considering an e-bike’s efficiency, it is no longer surprising that it will outsell its manual counterpart one day. Many e-bike users say they reach their destinations faster than when riding a conventional bike.
or this reason, we put e-bikes to the test of speed to see how much faster it will take to reach a mile than a traditional bike.
FAST ANSWER: Plan on just over 7 minutes to ride a mile on an eBike. This is using an average of 8.3 miles per hour. But let me tell you the secret below!
Key Takeaways
At the end of this article, you will learn the following:
- How long it takes for an e-bike to reach one mile
- The difference between e-bikes and regular bikes
- How much faster is an e-bike than a standard bike
- Factors that can affect an e-bike’s speed
An e-bike with an average speed of 8.3 mph will take 7.23 minutes to travel a mile. There are factors like terrain conditions, wind, and rider weight that may decrease the speed of an e-bike.
This article will also discuss the speed difference between e-bikes and conventional bikes, which may help you decide what bike type will suit your requirements.
How Long Does It Take To Reach A Mile On An eBike?
People have witnessed how electric bikes have grown in popularity in recent years. In fact, Technology, Media, And Telecommunications Predictions foresaw that manufacturers would sell about 130 million e-bike units worldwide between 2020 and 2023.
One of the reasons why e-bikes are becoming more and more popular is their convenience. For instance, an e-bike allows you to reach far distances with minimal effort.
In order to prove the convenience e-bikes have, this article will discuss everything you need to know about e-bike speeds.
RIDE eMTB Secret: eBikes are sold by “Class” in the U.S. you want a Class 3 ebike, it has a throttle and pedal assist and can legally go 28 MPH. Meaning you can go a mile in just under 3 minutes. BAM!
How Long Will A 1 Mile eBike Ride Take?
A standard electric bike can run 8.3 mph. (13.36kph), assuming that you are driving it leisurely. Considering the distance an e-bike can reach per hour, it would only be minutes before you reach a mile.
To calculate the amount of time it will take your electric bike to reach a certain distance, you will need the following figures:
- the e-bike’s average speed = 8.3 mph
- the distance you want to run = 1 mile
According to Loughborough University’s Mathematical Association, the formula for speed is time equals distance divided by speed.
Time = Distance / Speed
1 mile / 8.3 mph
Time = 0.1205 hours
Therefore, an electric bike will take 0.1205 hours or 7.23 minutes (0.1205 x 60) to reach one mile.
Say you need to calculate the time it would take for an e-bike to reach a mile in kilometers. First, you need to convert the average speed of your bike to kilometers:
8.3 mph = 13.36 kph
1 mile = 1.61 km
Next, use the same formula to calculate the time:1.61 km/ 13.36 kph = 0.1205 hours or 7.23 minutes
Why is an eBike Better for a 1 Mile Ride?
Efficiency is one of the best reasons an electric bike is better for a one-mile ride. A mile of riding an electric bike costs relatively less than driving a car. You do not have to pay for gas, parking fees, maintenance, or other additional charges that using a car would cause you.
On top of that, it will take you less time to reach your destination when using an e-bike.
Comparing eBikes And Regular Bikes
Bicycles have dramatically changed over time. What was once a manual vehicle now has a motor that helps cyclists reach certain distances without needing a lot of pedaling power.
But how exactly does an e-bike differ from a regular bike?
Mechanics
An e-bike and a regular bike are similar in appearance. But one of the significant differences between these two bike types is that an e-bike has an electrical drive system. This system includes a battery and a motor, which assists the rider in propelling the bike’s pedals.
The Feel Of Riding
Riding an e-bike and a regular bike pretty much feels the same. However, the e-bike’s motor kicks in as soon as you propel the pedals. As a result, the pedals feel much lighter to push, making biking more straightforward.
You may use the e-bike’s motor less by setting it to lower assistance. In this case, you will do most of the pedaling work, which makes the ride much more similar to a conventional bike.
Maintenance
Since the two bike types have the same components except for the motor, maintaining an e-bike is the same as taking care of a regular bike. It means you can maintain your e-bike, similar to how you do on a traditional bike.
The difference comes when the e-bike’s electrical drive system needs maintenance. You must bring it to an e-bike mechanic to identify and solve the problem. Fortunately, e-bike motors are durable, so you rarely have issues with them.
Are eBikes Faster Than Regular Bikes?
The quick answer is yes if you are wondering whether an e-bike is faster than a regular bike. While an e-bike’s average speed is 8.3 mph, a standard bike can only run 6.5 mph.
This speed difference boils down to integrating a motor in an e-bike. Because the e-bike’s motor makes accelerating more effortless, the rider can pedal faster while having assistance on the road. As a result, an e-bike is 1.8 mph faster than a conventional bike.
Did you Know You Can Convert a Regular MTB to Electric?
Bafang a leader in DIY electric bike conversions has a mid-drive kit that will fit on most regular bikes. I’d recommend the BBSHD kit, it’s a complete setup with a huge capacity battery and a 1000 watt motor. Why this setup?
- Heavy duty 1000 watt motor (built for cargo bikes)
- +50 volt 17.5 Ah battery for speed and distance
- Easy installation with provided tools.
If you’re considering a conversion, do what I’m doing get the BANFANG BBSHD 1000w eBike Conversion with Battery
Factors That Affect eBike speed
While an e-bike is faster than a conventional bike, some factors can affect its speed, causing it to run slower than its average speed.
Wind
There are two types of wind when cycling:
- tailwind
- crosswind
Tailwind is the wind that blows to the direction that you are taking, while crosswind blows against it. Tailwind does not affect an e-bike’s speed too much. On the other hand, L.J.F Hermans, in his publication Physics in Daily Life, says that crosswinds can increase the drag of an e-bike.
Since crosswind lows against the direction you are cycling, it creates a force that pushes you backward. As a result, your e-bike’s speed decreases.
RIDE eMTB Tip: Wondering about hills? EBikes are made to climb the steep ones. Read 👉 Can an eBike Climb Steep Hills?
Hills
The slopes you pass by on your e-bike trip also decrease your cycling speed. When riding uphill, an e-bike requires increased pedaling effort as the gravitational pull on your bike increases. Without increasing your power output, it will be challenging for the e-bike’s motor to travel uphill, causing speed to decrease.
Weight
An e-bike’s motor works harder when there is an increase in its load. The greater your weight or your load’s weight is, the more energy the motor will require from the battery. This additional weight also increases drag, which makes propelling forward slower.
I’ve got a group of articles explaining why eBikes are Awesome Check Them Out Below 👇
- I love riding eBikes, want to learn why? Read 👉 What Are The (Great) Features of Electric Bikes?
- Are you weighing the Pros and Cons of getting an eBike? Let me help 👉 Electric Bike Pros and Cons
- Interested in how it “feels” to ride an eBike? Awesome 👉 What Does it Feel Like to Ride an eBike?
- What is “Pedal Assist? Let me explain it in this article. 👉 What is Pedal Assist and How Does it Work?
Speeding Things Up
An e-bike is faster than a conventional bike due to integrating an electrical drive system into the former. A motor helps the rider propel the pedal, making cycling feel smoother.
Do you have questions about e-bike speeds? If you do, feel free to reach out to us in the comments section!
An e-bike with an average speed of 8.3 mph takes 7.23 minutes to reach one mile. However, wind, terrain, and the rider’s weight can affect this speed.
Hi David Humphries here the guy doing all the pedaling behind the scenes with this blog. I’ve been in the MTB world for a while and recently started getting into eMTBs. You can check out more about me HERE and on my other passion project – DIYMountainBike.com
Sources
- Paul Lee, M. C. Cycling’s Technological Transformation: Making Bicycling Faster, Easier, And Safer. Deloitte’s Technology, Media, and Telecommunications. (2020). 120. https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/insights/us/articles/722835_tmt-predictions-2020/DI_TMT-Prediction-2020.pdf. Accessed January 23, 2023.
- Foster, Colin. “On Hating Formula Triangles”. Loughborough University. (2021). 30. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/On_hating_formula_triangles/13574498/1/files/26051465.pdf&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1674814962658647&usg=AOvVaw1eOsRpX8xo3pAwIadhRfJ4. Accessed January 23, 2023.
- Jo Hermans. Physics in Daily Life. EDP Sciences: 2011. https://www.europhysicsnews.org/articles/epn/pdf/2006/02/epn06204.pdf. Accessed January 23, 2023.