Best Urban E-Bikes: Top 8 Electric Bikes for the City

The Cowboy 4 is another strong contender for anyone wanting a city bike which is practical and reliable, but still looks the part. It’s another bike that’s perfect for any commuters wanting to go electric, as it’s easy and offers a comfortable ride.

This quirky bike is available in a range of three trendy neutral colours, black, sand and khaki. There’s a colour to suit everyone’s taste. This bike also comes with mudguards and a single ring on the front, to keep it low maintenance.

It’s fitted with a 10 Ah, 360 Wh removable Lithium ion battery which is 100% recharged in 3hours and 20min. This bike also benefits from having fitted a custom designed 45 Nm / 250 W motor which is integrated in the rear wheel.

The S5 from VanMoof, is a remastered straight frame bicycle which the company reports has been built specially for for controlled cruising. It’s great for anyone wanting a comfy bicycle for commuting that is both stylish and efficient.

Aesthetically the S5 is very much in keeping with the rest of VanMoofs electric range, minimalist and clean cut. This particular model is only available in a stylish grey, which regardless, definitely stands out against other bikes.

This bike is fitted with a 487 Wh battery. This battery has a charging time of charge in 6 hours and 30 minutes for 0-100% and 2 hours and 30 minutes for 0-50%. The range is also pretty impressive, with up to 93 miles on one full charge.

Offering a smooth and enjoyable ride, the CGO600 from TENWAYS is a solid and well priced option for anyone looking for a belt drive electric bike to ride around on that won’t break the bank.

This bike comes in a range of colours to suit your personal style: Midnight Black, Sky Blue, Light Grey, Lime Green and Arctic Blue. It also comes equipped with hydraulic brakes.

Electronically, the CGO600 has a 36V, 7AH Lithium-ion battery with Samsung/LG/Panasonic cells, that’s paired with a Mivice M070 250W motor, located in the rear hub. This motor allows (in the European market) for speeds of up to 25km/h or 16mph.

This is a classy, single-speed electric bike with a carbon belt drive for a quiet, smooth ride. Offering exceptional quality for the price, the Carbo Model X is as powerful as e-bikes twice its weight. And at 13.3 kg, the weight of this bike is a huge advantage.

The removable battery is integrated unobtrusively in the seat post. The bike as a whole is lovely to look at, with a classic design that is perhaps one of the most universally appealing. The seat post and stem are adjustable, so you can ride in optimum comfort for your height. The larger wheel size of 20” also makes for a more stable and comfortable ride.

The Carbo Folds in as little as ten seconds and it’s compact enough to store easily away in the home, office or on public transport.

There are plenty of practical features, such as the front and rear lights, and a USB port at the rear. The carbon belt also offers a very low-maintenance alternative to a traditional bike chain. No need to spend hours cleaning.

If you prefer gears, you can opt for the 9-speed Model S which gives you a lot of flexibility. This one is heavier at 15.3 kg, but still one of the lightest folding e-bikes available.

Thinking of style, sophistication, something minimalist yet practical? The Ampler Curt ,complete with hydraulic disc brakes, ticks all of those boxes. It’s an electric belt drive single speed, which is perfect for commuting.

In addition to its chic good looks (coming in all matte black) this bike also benefits from having useful accessories such as a front light and mudguards.

The Curt has an impressive range of up to 100km is thanks to its 336 Wh battery capacity, which takes 2.5 hours to fully charge. The bike is fitted with a 250W hub motor.

Decathlon is famous in Europe for its reliable, low-cost sports equipment, and the BTWIN 500E is no exception.  £799.99 will buy you a sturdy, no-frills e-bike that you can throw into your car boot with ease. You can relax about any bumps and scratches with the retailer’s lifetime warranty.

Technically, the BTWIN 500E is an accomplished entry-level ride. Its 187Wh battery holds more than enough charge for the average commute, and the simple cadence sensor means the motor kicks in as soon as you start pedalling. No messing around with a fussy control panel.

Its lower-than-average motor torque and 16kg weight will prove an issue for those in hilly towns or cities. Residents of Bristol or San Francisco might just want to steer clear.

Otherwise, the BTWIN nifty appearance makes it obvious choice for the casual cycle commuter. It’s also worth noting that the BTWIN is compatible with Decathlon’s own accessories range, meaning you’re free to customise as needed.

The hybrid electric single speed by Pure Electric is a perfect all round choice, especially for those working on a budget or looking for an e-bike to get fit on. Coming in at just £1,099.00 it’s hard not to appreciate the value for money.

Moving onto the aesthetics of the bicycle, and although it’s not particularly quirky, it does have a nice understated look to it which is perfect for minimalist-look lovers.

This bike is fitted with a 250W battery as well as a 252Wh battery, with 5 hours needed to fully recharge. Alternatively, 3 hours will charge the battery up to 80%.