How Old Do Kids Need To Be To Ride an Electric Bike?
Are your kids begging you to ditch the traditional bike and snag them the latest electric bike ? Are they watching you have all the fun, jealous that their parents have the coolest new ride on the market? The e-bike trend continues to rise, with the youngest generation trying to get in on the adult action. But can kids have this exciting outdoor experience? The answer is “it depends.” Before investing in a bike for your youth, it’s essential to understand the local bike safety regulations.
What Age Can You Start Riding an Electric Bike?
The traditional bike demands physical pedaling and balance and remains readily available for youth. However, because electric bikes contain a motor, kids must have the maturity and prowess to control something with more speed. While not labeled as cars, legislators often view the e-bike as motorized transportation. Thus, legislatures passed laws with children’s safety in mind. States such as California, Florida and Washington have broken e-bikes into categories. Low-speed selections could boast no age limits, with many agencies placing restrictions on what they consider Class 3 units: bikes with a motor whose power source stops when the transport reaches 28 miles. As of now, the youngest approved age for this particular product remains 14. However, you should check your local laws to determine the earliest age to ride an electric bike in your area.
Are E-Bikes Legal in Your City/State?
In the sunny state of California, people have embraced the electric bike. using it on trails, the beach and for easy commuting. Teens 16 and older may use a Class 3 e-bike but must wear a helmet, and they cannot have passengers. A license, however, is not mandated. Arizona currently has no minimum age, and Utah allows children eight and above to ride an electric bike with a parent or guardian. At 14, teens may enjoy the bike on their own. In New York City, a state popular for commutes, owners may use their e-bikes within the traditional bike lanes and only on streets with a reasonable speed limit. Teens must be 16 or older. States such as Alabama, Alaska, Idaho and Massachusetts also demand riders have a license before heading out on the streets.
Quick Tips On Buying an eBike For Your Teen
Riders are different; therefore, companies build a range of products to suit interests and locations. Therefore, start your e-bike shopping by writing a list of your teens’ needs and interests. Consider the following factors:
- What are the primary purposes of the bike?
- What is the terrain like in your area?
- Does your child require additional motor support?
- What colors does your child prefer?
- Do you need a basket or spot for storage?
- Does your teen demand an enhanced physical support system?
Allow these answers to guide your shopping.
An e-bike makes a beautiful gift for your kids. However, check your local legislation first. Learn about your area’s age limits and requirements. If your teens are of age, find the perfect ride, teaching them to follow the laws and remain safe.
Meet the Bikes
Indego is Philadelphia’s bike share system, offering riders access to over 2,000 bikes and three unique bike models suited to meet a variety of transportation needs. Manufactured by TREK, Indego bikes are built for comfort, durability and fun. While Indego bikes have evolved over time, every Indego bike is equipped with the following features:
Whether you’re looking for a quick ride around the city or a more leisurely adventure, Indego has a bike for you!
Our 1.0 bikes feature two baskets. One large basket in the front as well as a smaller thinner basket on the left side of the back wheel.
Automatic front and rear integrated lighting for evening or night riding
- Adjustable seat post for riders of all heights
- Weather resistant saddle to keep you dry on wet weather days
- Front and rear wheel fenders to protect you from the rain or mud
- Real wheel splash and chain guard
- 3-speed shifting to support rides at different elevations
- Handlebar bell to help keep others aware of your presence
- Front and rear disc brakes that stop in all weather conditions
Step through frame with low stand over height to make it easier to hop on and off
Location monitoring hardware enabled to support fleet balancing and recovery.
Indego Classic Bikes
Indego classic bikes are great for new riders or riders who are just getting back in the saddle. At no additional cost to use, classic bikes require less experience than the pedal-assisted electri c bikes and are an excellent choice if you’re hoping to get in a quick workout or riding on flat terrain.
Indego 1.0 Bike
The inaugural Indego 1.0 bike, first deployed at the system launch. exclusively has two storage baskets compared to its Indego bike co unterparts. An additional rear basket for extra storage and a narrower front basket that’s great for drink s or small er bag s.
Indego 2.0 Bike
The Indego 2.0 bike is the newer and sleeker model of its predecessor. T hese bicycles are lighter and feature a unique “clam shell” style front basket that can retract to fit more storage. When closed the basket tension will securely hold your items in place when riding on bumpier terrain.
Additionally, the handlebar bell available to the rider ’s left. was ergonomically integrated to allow use by simply turning your wrist on the dial while riding.
Indego Electric
Boost your ride and add some kick to your commute! Indego electric bikes feature an optional pedal assist that amplifies your effort without breaking a sweat. Developed in partnership with Bosch. Indego electric bikes are one of the most sustainable means of transport ation and play a central role in the future of non-vehicular mobility in Philadelphia. For an additional per minute fee. p assholder s can unlock Indego electric bikes a t any available station. Perfect for climbing hills, keeping up with traffic, covering more ground in less time. and tur ning the headwinds into tailwinds !
Indego Electric bikes are powered by a pedal-assist motor that makes your movement count for more, allowing you to easily reach speeds up to 17 mph with an electric boost! T here is no throttle to engage the motor. the assist feature will only engage when the bike is moving. being pedaled, or notices resistance due to elevation.
To turn on and off the pedal assist feature just press the power button on the display located on the left-hand side of the handlebars. Once on, y ou don’t need to do anything other than pedal to engage the motor. For your safety, make sure the bike is at a standstill before powering it on.
Located alongside the power button, the lighted display screen lets you confirm the battery life to help determine if there’s enough charge to reach your end station destination a s well as inform you of your speed during your journey there.
With a large front basket. this feature is great for storing larger bags, groceries or backpacks.
Easily follow directions or monitor your ride time by securing your phone into the holder. Wrap the bungee around the ledge of the phone dock. Make sure when you’re finished with your ride to take it out! R emember to keep your eyes on the road. not on your phone. stop, dismount and pull over when using your phone.
How to Find a Bike
Download the Indego Mobile App or check the online station map for real-time bike type and dock availability at a station before arrival, as additional nearby stations may have more favorable bike type availability.
FAQ
How do I differentiate between an Indego classic and electric bike?
Indego electric bikes can be distinguished from their classic counterparts by the battery pack located on the rear tire and display monitor located on the handlebars.
How do I find and check out an Indego bike?
You can locate an available Indego bike by checking the station map on the Indego website or on the Indego app. Stations that have Indego electric bikes docked at them will show a green lightning bolt symbol as well as battery display above the station icon. You can use your Indego app, key fob or account phone number look-up at stations with a touch screen to checkout a bike.
How fast does the electric bike go?
Indego electric bikes provide pedal assistance up to speeds of 17 miles per hour. The motor in the electric bike only aids when you pedal.
How long does the battery last?
The battery life of an electric bike depends on many factors including terrain, riding style, temperature, the weight of the rider, and any cargo being transported. On average, a full charge will allow Indego electric bikes to travel about 30 miles before they need to be recharged.
Does the electric bike still work if the battery dies?
If the battery on an electric bike dies, the motor will stop providing pedal assistance. The lights on the bike will still function and you will still be able to shift gears, dock, undock, brake, and pedal like normal. The motor does not add any noticeable drag when turned off.
What do I do if an Indego electric bike runs out of battery while I’m riding?
Indego electric bikes show you on their display how much total battery life remains. Be sure to check the battery life before checking out an Indego electric bike. A bike that shows two or more bars of battery on the display is good to ride. If the bike runs out of battery, you can either finish your ride or dock the bike at the closest station and undock another bike.
How old do I have to be to ride an Indego electric bike?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation requires a minimum age of 16 to operate an electric-assist bicycle. Therefore, riders must be at least 16 years old to check out an Indego electric bike. Minors need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years old during the ride.
How much does the Indego electric bike weigh?
Indego electric bikes weigh about 50 pounds, which is only 3 pounds heavier than our classic Indego bikes.
How much does it cost to use an Indego electric bike?
There is an additional fee of 20¢ per minute for upgrading your ride to Indego Electric. The per-minute fee will support operational costs associated with maintaining a fleet of electric bikes. Indego ACCESS passholders are charged 7¢ per minute for upgrading to an Indego electric bike, continuing the City’s commitment to affordability and equity. Fees charged for riding an Indego electric bike are billed as usage fees. Usage fees will be processed separately from your pass purchase or renewal transactions and are subject to Pennsylvania sales tax.
Is Indego adding more electric bikes to the fleet? Classic bikes?
Yes, Indego is adding more electric bikes to meet demand. classic bikes will also be added to maintain a core fleet.
Is there a difference between the blue and white electric bikes?
There is no difference except the color!
What do I do if I accidentally unlocked an electric bike thinking it was a classic bike?
Please submit a ticket in the app under Report a Trip Issue Billing I mistook an electric bike for a classic bike. You can also text or call customer service.
What should I do if I encounter stations with reoccurring issues with bike or bike type availability?
Riders encountering reoccurring issues with classic bike availability at stations are encouraged to share this feedback via the Rate My Ride app feature to also support how Indego can continue improving its operational bike balancing efforts. Please let us know if you have encountered reoccurring issues with bike-type availability at a specific station and the surrounding stations nearby, additionally, if there are specific days/times which seem to have a higher prevalence of this issue.
How does Indego prevent bikes from being lost or stolen?
Indego bikes are equipped with GPS features to support asset recovery. Additional security features cannot be disclosed as this could jeopardize the impact of those measures in place.
What do I do if I find an abandoned Indego bike?
If you find an abandoned Indego bike, please notify Customer Service immediately at 844-4-INDEGO (844-446-3346) or submit a bike recovery form. If possible, please return the bike to the nearest Indego station.
What do I do if my bike is lost or stolen?
Immediately notify us by calling 844-4-INDEGO (844-446-3346). You must do this within 24 hours. In addition, we request that you call or visit the police precinct in which the theft occurred within 24 hours to file a theft report. Your account may be charged for the cost of recovery or replacement of the bike; up to 1,000 in the case of classic Indego bikes or up to 2,500 in case of Indego Electric bikes. There is a higher replacement fee for Indego electric bikes.
How do I know if a bike is unlocked from a dock?
If you are using the Indego mobile app or kiosk touch screen you will receive a confirmation screen saying your bike is ready after selecting a dock with an available bike. If you are using an Indego Key the dock lights will flash green and beep 3-5 times. You will have 60 seconds to grab the bike before the dock attempts to relock the bike.
How do I know if the bike has properly docked, and my trip has ended?
When you return a bike to an Indego station and firmly push it into an open dock, the dock will flash green and beep 3-5 times to let you know your ride is complete! You’ll also receive a text message and app alert confirming the bike was checked back in, unless you’ve opted out of text messaging or app notifications.
If the dock didn’t beep three times and/or you didn’t receive a text message confirmation, the first thing to do is give the bike an extra push in. Sometimes all it needs is that extra bit of encouragement.
If that doesn’t work, you can check your personal trip history by logging in to your account via the website or mobile app to see if your most recent ride has registered as complete or by contacting Customer Service via emailing support@rideindego.com or texting or calling 844-4-INDEGO (844-446-3346).
What does a red dock light mean when attempting to unlock a bike with my Indego Key?
If the dock displays a red light when attempting to unlock the bike, the bike is unavailable for service due to necessary repair and maintenance
What do I do if I have an issue with a bike?
If you check out a bike and it has any issues, please return it to the nearest Indego station and contact Customer Service immediately by either reporting a trip issue via the Indego app, emailing support@rideindego.com, texting or calling 844-4-INDEGO (844-446-3346) so we can lock down the bike for repair.
On what part of the street should I ride an Indego electric bike?
Just like other bicycles, you are permitted but not required to ride in designated bike lanes.
Retro style electric bikes
Retro style electric bikes are convenient, easy to park, and cheap to operate and are arguably cleaner to use than a gas engine, especially at the ‘tailpipe’.
If more people were riding e-bikes we would have an effective pollution and climate solution, but most existing transportation infrastructure and regulations aren’t really encouraging their adoption yet.
Just because it’s modern and high tech doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice design, and I love everything retro and nostalgic as you might know, so I have found some of the coolest looking retro vintage e-bikes out there for you.
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see the full disclosure policy for details.
CIVIBIKES Cheetah retro style bike
retro style electric bikes best pick
CIVIBIKES Cheetah (the coolest retro e-bike in the world) is my first e-bike, I took things easy on my first ride and kept it at PAS level 1. It definitely takes some getting used to, has a completely different feel vs. the Cannondale Quick 3 that I had been riding. It’s big, it’s heavy, and like a motorbike, it needs to be leaned into the turns. But man, is it fun!
I wanted this bike mainly to commute. It’s only about 13 miles round trip, but the hilly streets of Seattle are tough. E-bikes are a great way to get some exercise while making biking a practical option every day of the week. And no, it’s not ‘cheating’, I’m not trying to win the Tour De France, I’m just trying to get to work and back quickly and efficiently.
Battery life is decent given the weight and speed of this bike (I usually get home with about 30-40% remaining, and charge overnight for the next day).
Commuting on this bike is fun, fast, and comfortable. I set the speed limit to 20 mph so I can use it on bike paths (with that setting, it meets all of the requirements of a Class 2 e-bike), but that’s still plenty fast and usually gets me to work in about the same time as driving.
But overall this bike is totally badass, and it turns heads everywhere I go. I love the retro styling that’s curiously slick and modern at the same time. I love the details like the stitching on the handlebar grips, and how the wiring and electronics are cleanly hidden in the frame and ‘gas tank’.
If I’m stopped at a red light, someone inevitably makes a comment like “that’s the coolest bike I’ve ever seen”. Indeed it is. And it’s the coolest bike I’ve ever ridden, too.
I can’t recommend the CIVIBIKES Cheetah enough if you want something retro looking, that really pops out.
The Unconquered vintage style electric bike at a glance
At first glance, most riders mistake Unconquered vintage style e bikes (design your own here) for early American motorcycles i.e. Indian or Harley, until they spot the powerful hub motor laced inside the rear wheel. This perfect harmony of classic motorcycle aesthetics, quality and modern tech is the vision of a veteran who founded Unconquered Customs and created this unique customized retro electric bike concept.
E bikes. great for people who want to save money!
Been thinking about trading in your second car for an e bike? Or purchasing an electric bike to cut costs on daily commuting? You are not alone and your search may be over!
E bikes are becoming more and more popular as an alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. This is largely due to the sharp rise in the price of gas, the ease of use and lack of red tape to operate electric bicycles (You do not need a license, registration or insurance to ride) and the extremely low cost of ownership and charging. Electric bikes are battery powered, which can be recharged either at a charging station or by plugging them into a standard household outlet.
Charging a battery powered e bike is much cheaper than refueling a car, even when taking into account the most expensive electric bike with the largest battery packs.
E bikes are very easy to drive and mostly free to park. All ebike classifications do not require insurance or a license to operate. Electric bikes represent a very cost-effective, convenient and exciting new option for many commuters.
Ebikes. for both the bike paths AND street legal fun!
A class 3 electric bike
A higher speed limit is what differentiates an Unconquered Custom class 3 vintage style e bike from counterparts within the class 1- 3 e bike market. Class 3 ebikes continue to garner support by electric bike riders, especially ones eager for excitement. This is mainly because class 3 ebikes offer acceleration to higher speeds, making class 3 electric bikes the fastest category of US ebikes that don’t fall into the electric motorcycle category, and they propel riders much faster than would any electric bike found within the other two classes.
Class 3 ebikes must have a speedometer, an operable set of pedals and may or may not have a throttle. Each Class 3 Unconquered Custom vintage electric bike incorporates all of the above including either a thumb throttle or twist grip throttle, so your motor is always ready to engage up to 100% of it’s available power. allowing you to make your journey with or without any leg work.
Ultimately true top seeds of an Unconquered Custom vintage electric bike are ungoverned and programmed by the rider from the LCD dashboard interface. Aesthetically these retro electric bikes resemble early board track racer motorcycles. Inspired by early twentieth-century Harley and Indian board track racing bikes, Unconquered Custom retro style electric bikes borrow from the aerodynamic aesthetic, and feel of the originals, but includes all of the fun and freedom of an e bike.
Aboard an Unconquered Custom, you are not limited to pedal assist. why not ride using thumb throttle or RH twist grip throttle only!
Not all ebikes have throttles. Most e-bike manufacturers do not produce twist grip powered electric bikes. This may be due to restrictions on use, the need and cost of the additional components, or those additional components are required to be installed by retailers who lack the know-how to do it; some might even just prefer selling only certain models without any throttle function at all!
The following passage was taken from our research into ebikes: “Most manufacturers don’t produce throttle powered electric bikes due either physical inability (often caused by design) to implement twist grip technology effectively, OR marketplace demand simply isn’t sufficient”. That said, there are a few e-bike companies that do sell e-bikes with throttles. congratulations, you have found one of them!
Electric bikes with twist grip accelerators are gaining more popularity than pedal assist-only models. This is largely due to their similarity to motorcycles and their many advantages over traditional electric bikes. for one, you are not limited to leg power! riding is accomplished without pedaling at all! It’s also great if the range of your destination is further than normal because there won’t be any extra effort on behalf of your legs either; just throttle power to the motor from the handlebars and let it do all work. cruise and enjoy the scenery!
Vintage looks and quality meet power, new school tech and extras. watch precision motor and hydraulic disc brakes to name a few!
Each Unconquered Custom e bike has some notable performance characteristics which make them a pleasure to ride. For starters, a large battery pack with extended battery life allows 60 kilometers of range per single charge and the motors are capable of 394 RPM delivery, great for a healthy top speed with regenerative braking capabilities! If you live in an area that’s wet, hilly, or has snow you’ll be interested to know that our models provide many capable safety extras like hydraulic disc brakes, performance extra wide tires and optional front suspension fork for riding at speed limits, while preventing both riders and cargo from skidding into traffic. If yours is a longer commute, our 52V battery will help leave range anxiety at the door! These features make our products perfect both on-road or off it. in other words, you’ll never be disappointed when one of these bad boys arrives at your doorstep.
Vintage style ebike design constructed from top-shelf components
Our company uses top-notch components within each build beginning with light weight aluminum aircraft alloy used in the frame with Chromoly where you need it for the perfect strength-to-weight ratio. each frame is built to last a lifetime. Roll on fat tires in extreme comfort from the pneumatic suspension they provide. Thanks to the upright riding position and the cushioned seat. you’ll be able to ride for hours without experiencing any discomfort. Program top speed and 30 other details and parameters of each journey using the world beating tech within our dashboard/controller interface. And character is maintained right down to the kick stand!
Rear wheel power!
Each hub motor is hand laced into the spokes, dished then trued into the rear wheels of each bike. The motor can either be programmed to kick in with more power responding to your natural cadence via pedals w/ sensor providing you with 5 x levels of pedal assist. Or the bike can be programmed to accelerate your speeds in thumb throttle or pure twist grip mode.
Lithium Ion Battery
Our battery incorporates 65 lithium-ion cells (the same chemistry tesla uses) soldered in a series/ parallel configuration for 52 volts of power!
As mentioned previously the cost of electricity per charge of an electric bike can vary depending on the size of the battery, motor as well as local electricity rates. However, on average, you can expect that it will cost around 6 to 15 cents to fully charge the average electric bicycle battery.
In comparison, the cost of filling up a car can be significantly more expensive, often upwards of 120 or more. Therefore, ebikes provide a much more affordable and eco-friendly option for those looking to reduce their costs and their carbon footprint.
Over 30 different programmable motor settings!
We won’t bore you with all of the awesome programmability of our vintage electric bikes. but here are some quick highlights;
Our pedals are special!
We gave each of our vintage electric bicycles a pair of indexable, operable bike pedals. Yes, it’s a bicycle, with all the standard features of a bicycle, but riding it feels more like riding a motorcycle. Twist your grip and go!
Financing options ensure our customers an affordable sale price
Many design challenges come with customization, and it’s very difficult to make a customized vintage style ebike look good while delivering on speeds and range at a price that buyers can accept. To solve this problem our company has launched flexible finance options truly unique to the e bike industry. For the same monthly price as your daily coffee, we’ve got you covered from the office to the beach, and we can guarantee a much more enjoyable daily ride than your colleagues! Plus you can’t ride your coffee to the beach!
The team of professionals that will construct your e bike
The Unconquered Team itself is small, comprised mostly of fabrication craftsmen and engineers. Each Unconquered Custom is assembled by hand in ‘factory 1’ with the construction lasting around 3. 4 weeks from the time of order to delivery. In this way, the team can FOCUS solely on each machine throughout the build cycle.
The craftsmanship that goes into making these custom electric bikes retro and our company’s attention to even the smallest of details is directly opposed to the “planned obsolescence” attitude of many e bike manufacturers in the market today. “Quality is our utmost concern…. No mistakes or cheap shortcuts ever leave the shop, and all components are the best we can build or that money can buy. we want our vehicles to be ridden and enjoyed for decades to come”
The vintage electric business is boomin’
Interest has grown rapidly in what we thought to be a narrow or niche market initially. In the beginning, we sold mainly to customers who simply wanted to own a vintage style electric bike for novelty’s sake, but since then, our bikes have sold to urban office commuters, lawyers, marines, the environmentally conscious into battery power you name it.
With new retro electric bikes on the menu, we hope to build machines to suit all customer types.
In fact, with the quality that goes into these vintage style e bikes…. we wholeheartedly believe each Unconquered Custom is a viable alternative to owning a car! The bikes are certainly cheaper, you can purchase one with no money down and 100 per month, plus a full charge in the tank costs only pennies!
When you don’t have to pay for a license, registration, insurance, or gas, it starts to make a lot of sense.
As far as customization goes, our team can match any color scheme, front end, suspension, gas tank, drive train, accents, or other customer desire you put in front of us.
And Unconquered Customs has just added a sidecar to their vintage e bike manufacturing repertoire, the classic design. meets modern tech approach continues—as does the quality of each build!