After having a blast riding electric scooters all summer, I wanted to try my hand at riding an electric bike. Not only are e-bikes more sturdy and noticeable for riding in between traffic, but they can also carry more cargo. While I still have fun riding electric scooters, they are a leisurely activity that doesn’t require much physical effort. I figured an e-bike would bring a healthy balance to my riding with the benefit of exercise and rest when needed. Was it all it was cracked up to be? Here’s what I learned from riding an electric bike.

Getting to know an e-bike

I tested the Lectric XP 2.0, featured in our buyer’s guide as the go-to starter electric bike. The e-bike arrived fully assembled out of the box; all I needed to do was inflate the tires and wait for the battery to charge fully. On first impression, it’s a chunky machine, bigger than my usual bicycle, but it is foldable to help save space when storing. Still, the 64lbs of steel are a bit heavy to haul up a flight of stairs.