How Fast Do Electric Bikes Go? A Comprehensive Guide for Beginner Cyclists
As an AmazonAssociate and Affiliate Marketer, I earn from qualifying purchases. Although I may get a small commission, I strive to provide honest reviews of products to keep my readers happy! Full disclosure
So, you’re thinking about getting an electric bike to give you a little push and take some strain off your body on especially long commutes? There isn’t a better idea!
Yet, to make sure you get the entire picture before purchasing one, you’ll need to find an answer to this question first: How fast do electric bikes go?
Average electric bikes can reach a max speed of 20 miles per hour. However, some models out there have the motor power to propel them forward at 28 miles per hour. That’s the most you can get out of the pedal-assist feature of an e-bike. This is more the case due to limitations rather than not being able to make a faster model.
There are e-bikes out there, such as the delfast ebike, that can do speeds upwards of 50 mph (80 kmh).
However, you should know that electric bikes can be subject to restrictions in certain states, which might prevent you from riding them at these speeds. In this article, we’ll answer all the questions related to this topic so that you’re fully prepared for your e-bike adventure!
Table of Contents
How Fast Do Electric Bikes Go With State Limitations?
In most states, you can’t legally ride an e-bike at more than 20 miles per hour. The reason behind this is that this is the max speed that most regular bikes go at.
Therefore, it might be risky to allow cyclists to ride at a motor-propelled speed of more than 20 miles per hour. Think of it as a means to prevent accidents.
However, you might still get the chance to go over the aforementioned speed level as long as you ride on private property. Otherwise, you’ll have to stick to 20 miles per hour on public roads, along with wearing a helmet and making sure your age is appropriate.
To ensure that everything you do is legal, you must consult your state law before riding at a speed beyond 20 miles per hour, even if it’s on private property.
Yet, one thing that people who love to reach higher speeds on their e-bikes will like is that some states allow you to ride at a speed of 28 miles per hour or more. Sounds amazing, right?
Let’s take a look at these states in the following section.
Which States Allow an E-Bike Speed of 28 MPH?
Residents of the states of Texas, Colorado, Florida, and New Hampshire, for instance, can legally ride their electric bikes at over 28 miles per hour. Better still, these states don’t require you to have an e-bike license in order to ride it around town, nor are you obligated to register it.
Other states have it a little better than the 20-mile-per-hour speed limit, allowing you to ride your electric bike at a max speed of 25 miles per hour. New York, for example, falls into that category, granting Class 3 e-bike cyclists this speed limit. Typically, A class 3 e-bike can ride at a max speed of 28 mph. So, New York is different in this regard; they set their limit at 25 miles per hour for class 3 ebikes.
As we’ve previously mentioned, many states only allow Class 1 and 2 electric bikes on their public roads, so their max speed is 20 miles per hour. Washington D.C. is one of those states.
What Are Some Factors That Affect the Speed of an Electric Bike and How to Play Them to Your Advantage?
Of course, the speeds of electric bikes are mainly achieved using the help of the motor; it’s the number one determiner of how fast the bike can go with or without your efforts. However, a few other factors can also affect the max speed you’ll be able to reach with your e-bike.
Let’s explore these considerations right below!
Weight
Without a doubt, the weight of the frame of your electric bike, along with that of any accessories you attach to it, can have a significant impact on the top speed you can pedal at. The more weight there is on an e-bike, the slower it will get.
If you want your bike to give you its full performance, make sure you only carry necessary items on your commutes through town. Or, you can always pick a lightweight e-bike over a heavier one when purchasing.
Motor Power and Voltage
The bigger a motor is, the more power you can get from it to let it propel your bike forward when you’re on the assist-pedal feature or the fully automatic mode. The same goes for its voltage; the greater it is, the higher the speed you could ride at.
Therefore, you’ll need to keep these two factors in mind before buying your e-bike, as you won’t be able to tinker with them afterward.
Riding Conditions
This final factor usually escapes the minds of many cyclists, but it’s important to consider nevertheless. See, the terrain that you ride your e-bike on and the weather conditions surrounding you can affect your speed a great deal.
To clarify, roads with obstacles, rough terrains, and hills will cause you to slow down.
The same goes for riding on windy days, where the air will push you back and resist your forward movement. Plus, cycling on a rainy day may hinder your progress because you might not be able to see clearly, which also applies to foggy days.
To battle those scenarios and fly through town with no interruptions, choose the perfect time and location to ride your e-bike so that it reaches its full potential. Clear, sunny days are preferable, and going on flat ground is your best bet for faster speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s true that in most cases you can’t go over 20 mph, 25 mph, or 28 mph depending on the state or area you’re located. Many people still want to know how fast their eBikes could go if they didn’t have limits. I’m going to answer those questions in this section.
There are many factors that play into how fast an electric bike can go, but here are some reference points for you to use.
How Fast Can A Class 1 Electric Bike Go?
A class 1 electric bike can go 20 mph in most states that follow the 3 class ebike system.
How Fast Can A Class 2 Electric Bike Go?
A class 2 electric bike can go 20 mph in most states also. Depending on whether or not they follow the 3 class e-bike system.
How Fast Can A Class 3 Electric Bike Go?
A class 3 electric bike can go up to 28 mph in most states that follow the 3-class e-bike system. One exception to this rule is New York. New York limits class 3 electric bikes to 25 mph.
How Fast Does A 250w Electric Bike Go?
A 250w electric bike will typically go between 15 and 20 miles per hour on flat ground without any limiters.
How Fast Does A 500w Electric Bike Go?
A 500w electric bike will typically go up to around 25 miles per hour on flat ground without any limiters.
How Fast Does A 750w Electric Bike Go?
A 750w electric bike will typically go up to 28 miles per hour on flat ground without any limiters.
How Fast Does A 1000w Electric Bike Go?
A 1000w Electric Bike will typically go up to 35 miles per hour on flat ground without any limiters. This is where you start seeing the benefit of no limitations. While the e-bikes under 1000w have limiters. Most of those bikes couldn’t go much higher than their limiters even if they didn’t have them.
How Fast Does A 1500w Electric Bike Go?
A 1500w electric bike will typically go up to 38 miles per hour on flat ground without any limiters.
How Fast Does A 2000w Electric Bike Go?
A 2000w electric bike will typically max out at around 40 mph on flat ground with no limitations.
How Fast Does A 5000w Electric Bike Go?
A 5000w Electric Bike will typically max out at around 50-60 mph on flat ground with no limitations.
Wrap It Up
A lot of people get an adrenaline boost out of riding their electric bikes, so they’ll always try to reach their top speed. But how fast do electric bikes go?
Now that you’ve read this article, you know that electric bikes can technically reach a speed of 25 to 28 miles per hour. However, it’s not a matter of an e-bike’s potential but rather what your local law allows as a maximum speed.
To be sure you’re on the right track, always take a good look at your state law regarding e-bikes. Happy assisted riding, or not, everyone!
