Skip to content

The City E-Bike – through the city with comfort and ease

For many people who like to cycle to work or to the shops, a city e-bike is the ideal companion . Instead of arriving at your destination sweaty and out of breath, hills can be conquered with ease and the car can stay in the garage.

Von Fabian Huber  |  6 minutes read time

City E-Bike
About the author Fabian Huber

Fabian founded MYVELO together with Vincent. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: May 17, 2023  |  Updated: July 26, 2024

Compared to e-mountain bikes or gravel bikes , city e-bikes are more suitable for short distances and flat surfaces. Before buying an e-bike from MYVELO , you should know exactly what makes a city e-bike and how it differs from other pedelecs. Below we will introduce you to all the important features of the e-bike so that you can make the right decision for you.

Definition and characteristics of city e-bikes

What exactly is a city e-bike ?

This type of e-bike is designed to offer you the greatest possible comfort on short journeys. As a rule, a city e-bike has StVZO equipment and has few gears. In most cases, city e-bikes are even single-speed bikes and only have one gear. Since it is mainly suitable for riding on flat roads, you do not need a larger gear shift with this Pedelec. It also contains a powerful motor, a very comfortable saddle and is perfect for road traffic. There is of course enough space for shopping bags or baskets .

Practical features of a city e-bike

What special features does a city e-bike have?

  • City e-bikes make it possible to cover short and medium distances without much effort.
  • They help you to commute comfortably to work or run your errands.
  • Ideal for the city or rural areas with paved roads.
  • Light luggage can be easily transported without effort.
  • City e-bikes allow you to move faster than with conventional bicycles.
  • Similar to electric single-speed bikes, they are low-maintenance and require little care.
  • They are environmentally friendly and a good alternative to the car.
  • They are often available in stylish designs, such as the E-Bike Dutch bike.
  • Very comfortable seating position, especially for driving on paved roads.
  • Equipped with specially produced mudguards, a myvélo City E-Bike is weatherproof and you are protected from the dirt of the streets.

What are the advantages of city e-bikes?

Nowadays, environmentally friendly vehicles such as city e-bikes are more of a topic than ever before. The demand for alternative means of transport is increasing, especially in cities. But what are the advantages of a city e-bike? If you are wondering before buying whether you should get a city e-bike, an electric single-speed bike or an electric folding bike , you should know the advantages and disadvantages of the different bikes.

If you are already sure that you only want to use the bike in the city and on easy routes and tours, then the city e-bike stands out with its many advantages. Low maintenance, a minimalist design and a high level of comfort - these advantages speak in favor of buying a city e-bike. Imagine being able to cycle comfortably to work, enjoy fresh air, and all without exertion and sweating!

Does a city e-bike have disadvantages?

Just like any type of bike, a city e-bike also has a few small disadvantages. But it mainly depends on what you are looking for and what expectations you have of your new e-bike. If you plan to use the e-bike to commute to work and also to take part in longer tours in uneven landscapes, the city e-bike is probably not the right companion for you and you should look for an e-mountain bike or a gravel bike . They are also suitable for city tours, but are also ideally equipped for bumpy forest and field paths.

What types of e-city bikes are there and what are the differences?

City E-Bike

You don't normally need an e-MTB or a trekking bike in the city, that's clear. If you only want to use your bike for short tours on flat ground, for commuting or for running errands, then an e-city bike could be the right companion for you. But what types of city bikes are there? Here we present three models.

Dutch bike :

Dutch bikes are stylish bikes with few gears that are perfect as e-city bikes. With their wide wheels and practical luggage racks, they are a good choice for anyone who likes to cycle in the city or the countryside.

E-Bike folding bike :

The advantages of a folding bike are obvious. These bikes are particularly suitable for commuters because you can take them with you on the train or to the office by simply folding them up. This not only protects your bike from theft, but also saves space and means you don't have to invest in an expensive lock.

E-Bike Singlespeed:

Singlespeed bikes are the ultimate e-city bikes! With just one gear, they are designed for most flat cities and serve their purpose perfectly. They are not suitable for off-road use or long bike tours, but if you are looking for a city bike, then a singlespeed e-bike from myvélo might be just the thing for you.

Why the E-City Bike is so popular

You may be wondering why so many people in the city prefer an e-city bike when other e-bike models have more gears, are often lighter and can also be used for longer tours on uneven ground. For most city dwellers, an e-city bike has many advantages over other types of e-bikes:

  • comfort and stability
  • Enough space for luggage rack or basket
  • Easy maintenance and care
  • Cheaper than E-MTBs and many other bikes
  • Space-saving and easy to transport (electric folding bikes)

How important is choosing the right motor for an e-city bike?

The motor is the heart of every e-city bike. Here you can find out more about the different types of motors.

What are front-wheel drive, mid-engine or rear-engine?

The motors on E-City bikes can also be found on the front wheel hub, on the rear hub or in the middle of the wheel on the bottom bracket. Rear motors are particularly impressive thanks to their direct power transmission to the rear wheel and are very popular in terms of driving dynamics. Nevertheless, not least because of Bosch and its market position, the mid-engine has set itself apart from the others in Germany, as they have proven to be durable, quiet and reliable and have hardly any noticeable effect on driving behavior.

E-bikes with front motors are generally less recommended, as they shift the bike's center of gravity relatively unfavorably to the front and are generally more prone to failure than the other variants mentioned. In general, it is advisable to choose a well-known manufacturer. Even if the bikes from these manufacturers are quite expensive, the components are much more robust and powerful. Under no circumstances should cheap spare parts be used for an expensive bike, as this often leads to malfunctions.

What should you pay attention to when buying an e-bike battery?

The batteries of e-bikes can be attached to the frame or integrated into the frame or built into the luggage rack. Integrated batteries are clearly on the rise here. The advantage of these batteries is that the handling characteristics and the bike's center of gravity are hardly affected. Furthermore, they are protected from external influences and are very unobtrusive.

Various factors play a role in the range, for example the weight of the bike as a whole, the quality of the motor and the battery, and the battery capacity, which is mostly 400 or 500 watt hours. The manufacturer can only give approximate information on this, as external factors such as gradients, the selected support level or headwind also influence the range. As a general rule of thumb, however, it can be said that the range increases with increasing capacity and, accordingly, usually also with increasing price.

This is what you should consider before buying a city e-bike

Since city e-bikes are perfect for use in the city, you should think about where you can store your bike before buying one. First of all, you should get a good lock and perhaps ask your employer whether there are secure parking spaces or cellars for bikes in the building.

If you don't want to let your e-bike out of your sight and take it with you on the bus or train, the MYVELO Palma electric folding bike and the Rio electric folding bike are perfect for you. You can simply fold up your bike and transport it easily. With the robust hub motor and folding mechanism, these e-bikes are a perfect companion when traveling or for commuting to work or university.

Your new city e-bike offers you pedal assistance of up to 25 km/h and helps you visit your friends or explore the city in no time. Before buying and especially before using your new companion, you should also get a good helmet . A city e-bike is not a racing bike , but it is still fast and your safety is our top priority. Also, find out as much as you can about caring for your new bike. If you have any questions, we are of course available at any time.

Environmental balance in comparison: E-bike vs. car - manufacturing costs, footprint and energy balance checked

Further information and frequently asked questions zu City E-Bikes

Get advice from cycling enthusiasts

A city e-bike is an electric bike that is specifically designed for trips in the city and on asphalt roads. This type of e-bike scores particularly well for its comfort. Comfortable saddles and an upright sitting position ensure a carefree trip and are ideal for anyone who wants to arrive at their destination refreshed without sweating.

The city e-bike can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, meaning it can easily cover simple routes through the city. City e-bikes generally do not require registration and can be used like a bicycle without a motor.

Since a city e-bike is mainly designed for short distances and not for difficult tours and routes, it is particularly suitable for commuting to work and for anyone who likes to do simple errands by bike without any effort.

You might also be interested in these articles