Buying Guides

The best electric bikes for seniors

If you are an elder, who wants to stay active and fit, an e-bike may be the perfect solution for you. Whether you want to take a leisurely stroll around your home or venture down country roads, we’ve rounded up the best e-bikes for seniors here.

The best e-bikes for the elderly

The number of seniors who have resumed physical activity thanks to electric bike has increased for the last ten years. If it’s your case, you must have questions. Whether you want to get back on a bike for the first time in a long time or simply looking for a solution to resume a physical activity, we’ve created this guide to help you see things more clearly in the world of senior e-bikes.

The Best Ebike team received messages from seniors who wanted to switch from a mechanical bike to an electric bike. We’ve put together our top tips here along with a list of the bikes we consider to be the best e-bikes for seniors.

Why are electric bikes so suitable for the elders ?

Like the swimming pool, electric bikes are a way to do physical exercise gently, without putting too much strain on the joints and without getting out of breath. The electric motor helps the users to pedal, regardless of the obstacles to be overcome, such as curb climbs and hills. However, the electric assistance is not everything and it still requires pedaling, and in my opinion, this is what makes the electric bike a physical activity perfectly suited for seniors.

Many benefits for body and mind have been demonstrated by numerous studies as we highlight it in our post on the benefits of electric biking as a sport. Finally, one of the advantages of electric bike, especially for isolated seniors is inevitably to find a certain freedom in their daily movements, whether it is to go for an errand, to visit friends or to take a walk.

What is the best electric bike for seniors?

Wondering what the best electric bike for seniors is? Here are the ones we recommend most often this year.

Our pick
Heybike Race Max (500W)

Perfect for commuters. ‎48V 12.5Ah 600 Wh lithium battery. 7-Speed Shimano. Front fork. Load capacity: 264 lbs. Lightweight: 52,9 lbs. Adjustable handlebars and seat.

Budget: $ | Speed: 22 mph | Range: 40 miles

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Customizable folding e-bike
Heybike Ranger (500W)

Step-thru, foldable and fat tires e-bike. 500W motor. 48V 15Ah battery. 3-level pedal assist. Max load: 330 lbs. Weight: 70.5 lbs. 5 to 6 hours charging time.

Budget : $ | Speed : 20 mph | Range : 40 miles

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Family pedal-assist bike
Kornorge Basic (350W)

Affordable cruiser bike. 350W motor. 36V 12.5Ah large capacity battery. Rear, front and dual suspensions. Weight: 59 lbs. Load capacity: 264 lbs. Seat height adjustable. Integrated saddle light. No display. IP54 waterproof.

Budget: $ | Speed: 15.5 mph | Range: 45 miles

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

How to choose an electric bicycle for the elderly?

To help you choose an electric bike well suited to the needs of a senior, we have created this guide which summarizes the points of attention and important information.

The type of electric bike suitable for seniors

There are 4 types of electric bikes that are particularly well suited to elderly people:

  • Electric hybrid or city bike
  • Electric mountain bike
  • Electric folding bike
  • Electric three-wheeler

The type of electric bike frame most suitable for seniors is, to me, the all-road bike. It’s a good compromise between a city bike and a mountain bike. Its peculiarity is its low frame which makes it an easy-to-ride bike to sit. If you have no need to ride on country lanes, then a simple city bike will do. This type of electric bike is particularly popular with senior women.

There are also electric mountain bikes for seniors. If you are 100% comfortable on a bike and want to ride on rough and rocky trails, this is the type of bike I recommend. If you have little space at home, then a folding bike will be perfect. Folding e-bikes for the elderly are generally lighter than the others and above all they have the advantage of taking up less space. Finally if you have balance problems then I advise you without hesitation to go on the purchase of an electric tricycle.

The engine

When my father-in-law, over 70 years old (whom I salute by the way!) bought his electric bike, the first question he asked me was “what type of engine should I choose?” The engine is an element on which we must not miss because it is largely what will do the work and which will maintain a certain balance. The motor of an electric bicycle for the elderly must therefore be located in the rear wheel or in the crankset. I don’t recommend using the motor in the front wheel, which risks throwing you off balance and causing you to fall, especially if you want to ride when it’s raining.

On the power side, I advise you to stay on a 250W motor, which has the advantage of being easy to learn and will be more than enough for all your needs. It will allow you to reach a speed of 15.5 mph in full power. You can of course adjust the power yourself thanks to the gears on the handlebars, in order to drive more slowly if you prefer.

The battery

To choose the ideal battery size, you need to be able to estimate the distance you want to travel. If you plan on taking long walks or tackling rough trails, you’ll need a high-capacity battery. If you want to use your electric bike to go around your neighborhood, then a “small” battery will be sufficient. Either way, the best e-bikes for seniors all have a battery life of at least 43 miles.

The suspensions

The suspensions reduce the shock sent to the body when riding over rough terrain or going around a curb. They are not essential but bring a real comfort to the driving. If you are particularly sensitive to shocks (such as people with back problems or joint pain), then I advise you to buy an electric bike with front suspensions. On the other hand, I do not recommend a full-suspension electric bike, because they can, in my opinion, affect balance, especially for elderly people who do not practice cycling often.

The saddle

The saddle directly influences the comfort you feel (or not) when you spend time on a bike. This element must be ergonomic and above all comfortable because this is what will make you want to continue cycling for longer. Ideally, prefer a senior electric bike with a fairly wide saddle, they provide best support.

How much does a senior electric bike cost?

An electric bike suitable for elderly people can cost between €1500 and €4500 ($1600 – $5000) depending on the manufacturer, the type of parts that compose it and the accessories supplied with it. We have deliberately selected mid-range bikes here, from €1000 (less than $1100) so that you can find a quality bike whatever your type of budget.

Advice for seniors: Practice before (re)riding a bike

If you haven’t ridden in years, it’s important to practice to avoid falling. I recommend you practice on an exercise bike before hitting the road in order to get used to the mechanical functioning of a bicycle. You will also relearn how to get on and off a saddle. If you want to ride serenely, regaining confidence is far from superfluous!

The best electric bikes for seniors

Our pick
Heybike Race Max (500W)

Perfect for commuters. ‎48V 12.5Ah 600 Wh lithium battery. 7-Speed Shimano. Front fork. Load capacity: 264 lbs. Lightweight: 52,9 lbs. Adjustable handlebars and seat.

Budget: $ | Speed: 22 mph | Range: 40 miles

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Customizable folding e-bike
Heybike Ranger (500W)

Step-thru, foldable and fat tires e-bike. 500W motor. 48V 15Ah battery. 3-level pedal assist. Max load: 330 lbs. Weight: 70.5 lbs. 5 to 6 hours charging time.

Budget : $ | Speed : 20 mph | Range : 40 miles

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Family pedal-assist bike
Kornorge Basic (350W)

Affordable cruiser bike. 350W motor. 36V 12.5Ah large capacity battery. Rear, front and dual suspensions. Weight: 59 lbs. Load capacity: 264 lbs. Seat height adjustable. Integrated saddle light. No display. IP54 waterproof.

Budget: $ | Speed: 15.5 mph | Range: 45 miles

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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