E-Bikes
Electric balance bike
What does Electric balance bike mean?
A child's bike with a battery motor, a twist throttle and footrests instead of pedals, sold for ages 3 to 12, such as the 17 lb STACYC 12eDRIVE.
An electric balance bike is a child’s bike with a small battery motor, a twist throttle and footrests in place of pedals. STACYC sells the 12eDRIVE for ages 3 to 5 at 17 lb (7.7 kg) with its battery, with three speed modes of about 5, 7 and 9 mph (8, 11 and 14.5 km/h), according to its product page, checked November 12, 2026.
Is an electric balance bike an e-bike?
Not in US law. The federal definition in 15 U.S.C. 2085 needs “fully operable pedals” and a motor under 750 W, and an electric balance bike has no pedals. So the e-bike class system and the state e-bike ages don’t cover it, and it belongs on private ground, pump tracks and trails where the owner allows it.
A pedal-assist kids’ e-bike is the other kind. Its motor helps only while the child pedals, and the woom EXPLORE e stops helping at 25 km/h (15.5 mph). The balance bike moves on the throttle alone, so a 3 year old can reach top speed without pedaling at all.
That is why the speed mode matters more than the motor. Start in the lowest mode, and check the bike’s weight against the child’s: our guide to electric bikes for kids sets eight models against the CDC median child weight at each age.
Also known as: electric balance bikes, e-balance bike, electric balance bicycle