Frequently asked questions about electric bicycles

Yes, you can take an electric bicycle on the bus or train.

For Irish Rail services, it is free to bring your bicycle on the mainline train but you are recommended to book in advance to ensure that there is space. On commuter train services, you can bring a bicycle on the train at off-peak times for free. In reality, you will typically be allowed to bring it on during on-peak times too but may be refused if space is limited.

For Bus Éireann services, there is a charge of €10. You may not take a full-size electric bicycle on city bus services.

A fold-up electric bicycle may be brought on any train or bus services at any time for free since it is considered your personal luggage. You may be asked to place it in a carry bag.

A typical electric bicycles will give power assistance for around 100km on a single charge, assuming flat terrain and a moderate level of assistance.

In reality, using old motoring terms, your millage may vary. If you cycle uphill or if you set the electric bicycle to give the highest level of assistance then it may be less. If you use very little assistance or are traveling on downhill, it may be more.

The electric motor will provide power assistance up to 25km/h. This is the legal limit for electric bicycles. You can go faster than 25km/h but the electric motor won’t assist you after that.

An electric bicycle charges to full capacity in about 2–4 hours. This is done using a normal home connection and is just like charging a mobile phone. A typical electric bike will give power for about 100km on a full charge but your millage may vary depending on use and road conditions.

The battery of a good quality electric bicycle will typically last about 10 years before losing its capacity to hold a charge. After that it will need to be recycled properly, just like any other battery.

This depends on the steepness of the hill and the power of your electric bicycle. A typical rider on an typical electric bicycle can cycle up Patrick’s Hill in Cork without much effort. On an ordinary hill, increasing the power assistance on your electric bicycle will allow you to cycle uphill without any noticeable increase in effort compared to the flat.

A electric bicycle is more attractive for people who wouldn’t otherwise cycle. This might be because of their personal circumstances or because of the geography of where they live. Nonetheless, the health and environmental benefits of cycling an electric bicycle are still comparable to conventional cycling and walking – and far better for you and the environment than taking the car.

Then you’re going old school. Remember, an electric bicycle is an ordinary bicycle with the addition of an electric motor to assist you. If the battery runs out, you just pedal as normal. The only thing that changes is that you won’t have the benefit of the electric motor.

Yes. The most common form of electric bicycle in Europe is a “pedelec”. This is where you must pedal the bicycle at least to some degree under the law. Turning the pedals on the bicycle will activate the motor.

The degree to which you pedal or the motor does the work can be adjusted by a small device on the handlebars. On the flat, you may wish to conserve your battery and have the motor do very little. On hills, you may wish to increase the power and have the motor do nearly all the work.

Electric bicycles are hugely popular and well-tested in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium, countries with climates like ours. A typical electric bicycle will come with a two-year guarantee. However, like any bicycle, an electric bicycle can corrode of it’s left outdoors in rainy conditions for long time. So it’s best to store it somewhere dry or invest in a bicycle cover.

A typical electric bicycles will give power assistance for around 100km on a single charge, assuming flat terrain and a moderate level of assistance.

In reality, using old motoring terms, your millage may vary. If you cycle uphill or if you set the electric bicycle to give the highest level of assistance then it may be less. If you use very little assistance or are traveling on downhill, it may be more.

An electric bicycle charges to full capacity in about 2–4 hours. This is done using a normal home connection and is just like charging a mobile phone. A typical electric bike will give power for about 100km on a full charge but your millage may vary depending on use and road conditions.

The battery of a good quality electric bicycle will typically last about 10 years before losing its capacity to hold a charge. After that it will need to be recycled properly, just like any other battery.

Then you’re going old school. Remember, an electric bicycle is an ordinary bicycle with the addition of an electric motor to assist you. If the battery runs out, you just pedal as normal. The only thing that changes is that you won’t have the benefit of the electric motor.