With some controversy surrounding electric bikes on the East Bay Bike Path, I wanted to experience an e-bike for myself. Courtesy of Bristol Bikes, I borrowed a Class 1 e-bike and went for a ride on the bike path to Colt State Park.

I’m by no means an avid cyclist, but I do enjoy adventures, and this was a great opportunity. Going into this experience, I expected the bike to feel almost like a motorcycle, but the gentleness of the motor was a pleasant surprise. As I made my way toward the path, I was a bit hesitant to push the motor through the gears, but as I gained confidence, it became clear there was nothing to worry about.

The motor has five settings, 1 to 5, with 5 being the most powerful. The motor works only when you’re pedaling, so if you try coasting, you’re going to lose momentum pretty quickly.

The increases in support from the motor were smooth, subtle, and did not feel too strong at all. With that said, the assistance was quite noticeable. I didn’t need to put nearly as much energy into speeding up, though the top speed I reached on my short ride was 16 miles per hour.

The motor feels like a little boost to keep you going, allow you to preserve your energy, and increase your speed. Overall, this felt just like riding a traditional bike, and the only real difference seemed to be in acceleration, not in top-flight speed.