Speedbike vs e-bike: What's the difference?

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Speedbike vs e-bike: What's the difference?

2023-10-11 11:18:57

An e-bike and a speedbike are both electric bicycles. But what's the difference? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of bike? And which type of bike should you choose? We give you an overview of these popular bikes.

Just for the record…

An e-bike is a “regular” electric bike that gives you pedal assistance up to 25 mph. This bike is especially suitable for relatively short rides to work or rides in your spare time.

A speed bike (or speed pedelec) is a more powerful electric bicycle that gives you pedal assistance up to 45km/h. This type of bicycle is especially suitable for commuting from 15 km single. The ideal alternative to the car!

The biggest differences between a speed bike and e-bike:

Price: The average list price of electric bikes on lease with us is €3000. That of the speed pedelecs is €5650 euros. So we can conclude that a quality speed pedelec is almost twice as expensive as an e-bike.

Rules: According to the Highway Code, a speed pedelec is not a “bicycle,” but a moped “class P. The rules for this are largely similar to those for an ordinary Class B moped.

If you ride a speed bike, you are required to wear a helmet. As a driver of an electric bicycle, this is not mandatory. Of course, we do always recommend this.
A speed pedelec must have a horn and a rearview mirror. For an e-bike, a properly functioning bicycle bell is sufficient.
An electric bicycle is equivalent to a classic bicycle. So you don’t need a driver’s license and you don’t have to mount a license plate. To ride a speed bike, you must be at least 16 years old and have a type AM or B driver’s license. Cyclis also always provides Civil Liability Insurance for this fast bike and registers your speedpedelec with the DIV (Vehicle Registration Service). You then also get a license plate. None of this applies to an e-bike.
As a speed bike driver, you must use the bike lane on roads where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph. Retrieved from
other roads you have a choice, unless the road signs say otherwise. You may not drive in parks or on other “slow roads. Mixed pedestrian and bicycle paths are also prohibited for speed pedelecs. The speed limit also applies to speed pedelecs, of course. So in places with speed limits of 30 km/h or less, you must respect them as well. On a bicycle street, you may pass other cyclists, but you may not exceed the 30 km/h speed limit.

On what do I base my choice now?

How far do you want to bike? How soon and where? Do you think a speed of 25 mph is enough and will you be cycling mainly in a busy city or doing purely leisurely rides? Then it is best to choose a regular electric bike.Do you think 25 km/h is not fast enough because, for example, you are going to use the bike to replace the car and live further from work? Then maybe a speed bike is more your thing.
Of course, your budget also determines your choice. We mentioned above that a speed bike is usually a lot more expensive than a regular electric bike. Fortunately, you can lease a speed pedelec inexpensively through Cyclis. The total benefit can be up to 40% over a private purchase.
No helmet requirement, license plate, insurance etc. is valid for regular electric bikes. This is all mandatory with a speed pedelec. In case of leasing, Cyclis takes care of these requests.