Is an e-bike more of a bicycle or more of a scooter? With new battery technologies a new kind of "bicycle" has emerged - so-called e-bike.

It usually has an electric motor on one of its wheels. The motor is powered by a rather huge (size of a small bag) battery. Pedals, star wheels and the chain are still in place, so the user can


use it as a normal bicycle or
use pedals to assist the vehicle or
just rely on the motor and use it as a scooter.


Speeds like 20 kmph witout using pedals are typically promised.

What I don't get is in which scenario and how I use such vehicle.

Do I use is as a scooter with ability to be driven by pedals once it runs out of the battery or do I use it as a bicycle with the motor assisting me and letting go faster without too much of activity?
There are different electric bikes with different experiences.

Some are heavy and powerful, and move with a push of a button. Their pedals are more about legal status than about human power. I'd call them "scooters".

Some are designed to supply power only when the pedals are turning. In that case you have to do a little work for the electric motor to kick in. These are usually called pedelec (from "pedal electric cycle").

Some use sensors in the drivetrain to decide when to apply the power. Those often have a switch so you can get them to drive the motor without pedaling, giving them a "scooter mode".

Some (like the StokeMonkey) apply the power directly to the drivetrain, so you always have to pedal to get them to work. If you're looking for exercise this is a good idea - no temptation to just cruise under power alone.