Are you eager to experience the exhilaration of your childhood bike adventures as a senior? Of course, you are! A great way to get back out there without stressing your joints or upsetting your arthritis is by picking up one of the best electric bikes for seniors. We specialize in reviewing and selecting the best exercise equipment for seniors, and we have a real treat for your today.
In this guide, we share the Top 5 e-bikes (electric bikes) on the market for seniors and plenty of tips to help you land the perfect bike for you. You might also find that you love a bike so much you decide to buy one for your significant other as well because what’s better than cruising around in good weather with the person you love the most? The answer is nothing!
Let’s get started below with an overview of the bikes with the most important specs to consider. After the chart, be sure to check out the reviews of each bike and some additional tips.
Top 5 Electric Bikes for Seniors
E-Bike | Description |
#1) sixthreezero EVRYjourney 7-Speed Electric Hybrid Bicycle |
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#2) Elby S1 9-Speed Electric Bike |
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#3) NAKTO City Electric Bicycle |
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#4) sixthreezero Around the Block eBike |
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#5) Totem Commuter Series 260 Folding Electric Bike |
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Reviews of the Best Electric Bikes for Seniors
Before we get started with the reviews, we want to share some of the features we looked for when selecting our Top 5 picks. Below, is a few of the key features to look for when selecting the best e-bike for seniors:
- Step-Through or Step-Thru Frame – A step-through frame allows the rider to mount/dismount the bike without interference. Essentially, the bike drops or removes the crossbar. This feature is especially important for seniors to avoid having to lift their legs above a step-over frame. Step-through frames are typically found on women’s bicycles, but for seniors, all of the bikes in this guide are unisex, unless a male senior prefers a men’s version.
- Comfort – Unlike e-bikes for children and young adults, e-bikes for seniors should be built for a comfortable ride. We like swept-back handlebars that allow the user to sit more upright to avoid back pain. Another comfort feature is a wider seat with more padding. Overall, a good e-bike for seniors should be comfortable for riding over long distances.
- Baskets & Racks – Since a lot of seniors desire an e-bike to run errands, we looked for e-bikes with baskets and rear racks to secure your belongings and goods.
- Safety Features – Reliable disc or hydraulic brakes are ideal for e-bikes over V-brakes which are traditionally used on standard bicycles. Also, we looked for horns, lights, and reflective materials for added safety.
- Lightweight Frames – The final key feature we took into consideration is the weight of the bike. For seniors, it’s best to stick with bikes that are less cumbersome and easier to maneuver to avoid any potential accidents or unnecessary strain.
Now, let’s check out the reviews of each bike to give you a clear idea of what each bike offers before you make your final decision.
#1) sixthreezero EVRYjourney 7-Speed Electric Hybrid Bicycle
The EVRYjourney bike by sixthreezero is one of the best hybrid bikes for seniors, and the electric version is our favorite e-bike on the market for seniors. This bike does it all. The hybrid nature of the bike makes it a good choice for riding over pavement and light trails or gravel. Next, it offers the widest height range to accommodate most seniors, including our shorter friends below 5’4″.
Currently, the EVRYjourney bike is available in both 250W and 500W editions in both men’s and women’s. However, we prefer the women’s version for both male and female seniors to ensure you all get the benefit of the step-through frame. The bike itself offers full-electric mode and pedal-assist to get more mileage out of a single charge.
With pedal-assist, you have the ability to travel up to 40 miles or more on a single charge at up to 28 mph, which is more than enough juice for a full day or more out. In full-electric mode, the bike reaches speeds up to 20 mph without the need to pedal. Lastly, what makes this bike great for seniors is its upright riding position and pedal design. For seniors with back and/or knee problems, this bike is an excellent choice.
Pros
- The upright riding position is good for seniors with back problems
- Extra-wide soft foam seat
- Accommodates a wide height range down to 5′ and up to 6’2″
- The combination of the forward pedaling design and step-through frame makes this bike mighty easy to mount for seniors
- The bike sits low to the ground to avoid tipping and to keep your feet flat when stopped
- Comfortable thumb throttle for easy operation
- Soft synthetic leather grips add comfort and a touch of style
- Great for city, beach, trail, and path riding
Cons
- Shorter range per charge than the Elby
- Does not feature hydraulic brakes like the Elby
- Shorter warranty period than Elby and other options
#2) Elby S1 9-Speed Electric Bike
Now for the Cadillac of e-bikes, the Elby S1 9-Speed. This work of art is the ultimate luxury for seniors who want to invest in a top-notch electric bike built for comfort with maximum functionality. You’ll find the most bells & whistles on this bike and the best motor of the bikes in our guide. With the Elby, you get up to 80 miles per charge when using pedal-assist, which is just flat-out impressive.
Additionally, this bike is the ideal choice for seniors over 250 lbs who need a more supportive bike. Next, safety is key with this bike. Of the bikes in this guide, the Elby is the safest to ride at night out of the box with its front & rear lights, reflective 26″ Continental Tires, and hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm brake rotors & safety power cut-off switch.
A couple of final highlights are the lightweight aluminum-molded step-through frame, Bluetooth connectivity to connect your smartphone (connect to the Elby app for map use while you ride), and the long 2-year warranty. One of the drawbacks for seniors is that you may want to replace the seat with a comfier option.
Pros
- Travel the longest distances on a single charge
- Accommodates larger folks up to 330 lbs
- The most safety features along with front & rear lights for riding at night
- 4 levels of pedal assist to find your sweet spot while riding over hills
- The most powerful and efficient 500W motor of the e-bikes in our guide
- Incredibly smooth ride
- Excellent customer service marks
- A great e-bike for tall seniors up to 6’5″ (seat adjustments are quick and easy with the hex key)
- An instant motor response prevents jerking
Cons
- The riding position is not as upright as sixthreezero e-bikes
- Riders under 5’2″ may need to purchase a post shim from Elby to drop the seat all the way down to the frame
- The seat isn’t the most comfortable in our guide (Click Here for a good gel seat we like)
#3) NAKTO City Electric Bicycle
The best electric bike for the money in our guide is this one by Nakto. Compared to the two bikes above, Nakto’s City models are significantly more affordable. The key difference between the Nakto City and the first two bikes is the motor. With this bike, you get a 250W motor that gets the job done, yet it won’t provide the same power or range as the Elby or sixthreezero 500W models.
However, if you plan to take short joy rides around the neighborhood to get some exercise with pedal assistance or run errands close to home, this bike is a great choice. Folks who live near the beach and want a bike to go around town or down to the beach to take a dip are ideal candidates for the Nakto City. Also, city commuters who want to cut down on walking or driving will find great value in this model.
A couple of more features we think you’ll like are the integrated horn, LED front light w/ switch, and simple pedal-assist control button w/ battery life indicator. Finally, the bike arrives at your door mostly assembled. The only parts that need to be attached upon delivery are the front wheel and handlebar.
Pros
- Significantly more affordable than Elby and sixthreezero e-bikes
- The button controls are very easy for seniors to use, especially those suffering from arthritic hands
- The pedals sit low to the ground to prevent tipping
- A deep step-through frame that’s quite easy to mount
- The riding position is more upright than the Elby bike
- Included basket and rear rack
- 6 speeds make riding over hills easy
- Easily switch between full-electric and pedal-assist modes when you want to burn some calories
- We love the wide padded stock seat on this bike
Cons
- The heaviest option in our guide
- Shorter range per charge than sixthreezero and Elby
- V-brakes rather than disc or hydraulic brakes
#4) sixthreezero Around the Block eBike
For folks who prefer a larger bike that’s a bit higher off the ground, the Around the Block model by sixthreezero is a better choice than the company’s EVRYjourney model. The build of the Around the Block bike is much like a classic beach cruiser, except this bike features 7 speeds and of course, the electric motor.
Similar to the EVRYjourney, the Around the Block model is available in both 250W and 500W editions. We prefer the 500W model since the difference in price is not large enough to make it worth choosing the 250W model savings-wise. Additionally, there are men’s and women’s versions of this bike available, though, most senior men should opt for the women’s version in a neutral color to get the step-through frame.
As far as the motor and controls, everything is the same as the EVRYjourney model. Plus, both bikes weigh about the same. However, folks over 6′ will want to skip the Around the Block model and choose the EVRYjourney instead since it accommodates taller seniors, though, seniors between 250 and 300lbs should select the Around the Block. Overall, depending on your taste in bikes and your frame, you might find that the Around the Block model is better for you than the EVRYjourney bike.
Pros
- The long swept-back handlebars allow you to ride upright without hunching over
- The pedal design allows for full leg extensions to help prevent hip & knee soreness
- A better choice for seniors between 250 and 300 lbs than the EVRYjourney model
- 20 to 40 miles per charge with pedal-assist
- Plenty of colors to choose from for men and women
- Large rear rack
- The bike arrives 80% assembled
- A good choice for senior RV owners who want an e-bike to bring along on their travels
Cons
- Max recommended height of 6′
- The step-through frame isn’t as low as the first three bikes
- The stock saddle is firmer than the EVRYjourney model
#5) Totem Commuter Series 260 Folding Electric Bike
The final model by Totem is the best folding electric bike for seniors. Unlike the first four bikes, you have the option to fold this bike, which makes it a great choice for seniors with limited space or who want to be able to store the bike in the trunk of a car. Another key advantage of a folding bike is convenience.
Of the bikes in this guide, the Totem Commuter 260 is the lightest and easiest for seniors to maneuver. You’ll find that the 250W motor provides more than enough juice to run errands around town or go out for a joy ride. In full-electric mode, the bike reaches speeds up to 15 mph. In peddle-assist mode, you get 5 levels of resistance to get a good workout without too much strain.
Several final highlights are the bike arrives fully assembled, provides a great range of up to 75 miles with pedal assistance per charge, there’s a USB charging port to charge your phone or tablet while you ride, and the digital display functions as an odometer/speedometer/battery life indicator.
Pros
- Height-adjustable seat and handlebars
- Easily fold up the bike to secure it in the trunk of your car or to fit it in a tight space
- Excellent value for the money
- Arrives fully assembled (only the pedals need to be attached)
- A responsive customer service team
- Sturdy construction for a foldable e-bike
- A good choice for seniors living in NYC or other major cities who want an e-bike to zip around town and up hills
- Another good choice for senior RV owners who want a compact electric bike
- The lightest bike in our guide
- Safe max speed for seniors
Cons
- You’ll most likely want to replace the seat
- Not as powerful as Elby
Bottom Line
After reviewing a long list of e-bikes, we settled on these five as the best electric bikes for seniors. With these bikes, you get step-through frames, comfort, and reliable motors that help you go over hills with ease. Additionally, most of the bikes in this guide allow you to ride upright or nearly upright to avoid straining your lower back.
Of the five bikes, Elby is the most premium option. The only real drawback is that the design does require the rider to hunch over some. For seniors who want the most upright position, it’s best to stick with sixthreezero e-bikes. Lastly, be sure to consider the Totem folding bike before making your final decision for the sheer convenience it offers.
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