E-Bikes
Pedal assist
What does Pedal assist mean?
A system that supplies motor assistance when the rider pedals, subject to the bike's settings and applicable speed limit.
Pedal assist uses an electric motor to help propel a bicycle while you pedal. You can usually select an assistance level, but the response depends on the bike and its sensor. A regular bicycle has no motor assistance.
Does pedal assist mean a throttle?
No. Pedal assist responds to pedaling; a throttle can allow motor propulsion without pedaling. Some bikes have both, and legal categories differ by jurisdiction. California’s Highway Patrol guidance describes its own classes and exceptions.
Motor assistance stops at the bike’s assist cut-off speed. The bicycle can travel faster through pedaling or gravity, where riding conditions and local rules permit. Compare the practical tradeoffs in electric bike vs regular bike.
Also known as: pedal assistance, pedal-assist