What is Electric bicycle?
[[File:Sunstar electric bike.JPG|thumb|Electric bicycle]] [[File:BLDCBicycleHubMotor.jpg|thumb|Brushless DC electric motor]] An '''electric bicycle''', or '''e-bike''', is a [[bicycle]] that uses [[electricity]] as its power. These bikes do not [[Pollution|pollute]] the air. Usually, a cyclist can control how much the [[Electric motor|motor]] helps. For example, it can be 50% of the [[Force (physics)|force]] needed. In some cases, it is possible to change a traditional bike to electric using a conversion kit. In the [[United Kingdom]], a new electric bicycle costs between £599 and £2,500. The cost of charging a [[battery]] is very small compared with the cost of [[petrol]] for a car. Some governments will help with the cost of buying one. According to the World Bicycle Industry Association, in 2022 10% of bicycle sales in the world were e-bikes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The people making the switch from car to e-cycle {{!}} Cycling UK|url=https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/people-making-switch-car-e-cycle|access-date=2023-02-02|website=www.cyclinguk.org}}</ref> In the United States, the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] has set a limit of 750 [[watt]]s and a top electric-powered speed of 20MPH. This is to have only the rules that apply to bicycles and no extra restrictions such as operator license, vehicle license, registration or insurance requirements. == History == Electric bicycles have been around for over a century. They have become more popular in recent years because of advancements in technology and increased interest in [[sustainable]] transportation. First models of electric bicycles appeared in late 19th century. The United States Patent office registered several e-bike patents between 1895 and 1899. Ogden Bolton patented battery-powered bicycle in 1895.<ref>{{Cite patent|number=US552271A|title=Electrical bicycle|gdate=1895-12-31|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US552271A/en}}</ref> Hosea W. Libbey patented a bicycle with double electric motor in 1897. John S