How Fast Can an Electric Bike Go? Four Riders Test the EVRYjourney Deluxe

The Question Everyone Asks First

Ask a room full of people what they want to know about an electric bike, and speed almost always comes up before battery range, before weight, before price. It makes sense. Speed is the one thing a regular bicycle can't hand you without a lot of sweat, and it's the part of an e-bike that sounds the most exciting and, for some riders, the most intimidating.

So we decided to answer it the honest way: put riders on the sixthreezero EVRYjourney Deluxe, switch on a camera, and watch the display. One rider pushed the bike as hard as the road and the traffic lights would allow. Three others, including two women in their sixties, took it out the way most people actually ride: on bike paths, residential streets, rolling hills, and a breezy stretch near the ocean.

What came out of those rides was more interesting than a single number. Yes, we'll tell you the top speed we saw. But the real story is how the bike felt at every level, from the gentle nudge of pedal assist one to the full push of level five, and what that range means for people who want an e-bike they can grow into rather than one that scares them on the first outing.

If you're still early in your search, our bike buyer’s guide covers the basics. Here, we want to give you something closer to a ride-along: what each rider did, what they noticed, and what you can take from it before you choose your own bike.

The Speed Run: Watching the Display Climb to 32 MPH

The first ride was all about the number. With a GoPro pointed at the handlebar display, the rider started with the basics: helmet on, settled in a marked bike lane, feeling comfortable before asking anything of the motor. That sequence matters. Going fast on any bike starts with being stable and aware at low speed first.

Coming out of a curve, the bike was already cruising at 19 to 20 miles per hour with very little drama. That's a speed many riders will find is plenty for everyday trips. Then the rider shifted up into seventh gear and bumped the pedal assist to level five, the bike's highest setting. The display responded quickly: 27, then 29, then 30.

There's a moment in the footage where the rider is clearly hoping a green light holds, because a red would end the run early. It held long enough to see 32 miles per hour on the display before the rider had to ease off for the intersection. So the short answer to the question in the title is this: on our test ride, with a strong rider pedaling hard in the top gear at the top assist level, the EVRYjourney Deluxe reached 32 mph.

Now for the important context. That figure reflects a specific moment, a specific rider, and specific road conditions. Speeds like that come from the rider's own pedaling combined with the motor, and conditions like a slight downhill, wind direction, rider weight, and tire pressure all play a part. Treat it as a demonstration of what the bike can feel like at the edge of its range, not as a cruising speed you should aim for on a crowded path.

If you're new to e-bikes, the terms in that speed run can blur together, so it helps to separate them. Gears work exactly as they do on a traditional bicycle. A lower gear makes pedaling easier and is ideal for starting from a stop or climbing. A higher gear, like the seventh gear used in the speed run, lets each pedal stroke cover more ground once you're already moving.

Pedal assist is the electric part. When you pedal, a sensor tells the motor to add power, and the assist level decides how much. Level one is a light boost that makes you feel a bit stronger than usual. Level five is the motor working at its hardest alongside you. Most of our riders in this video spent their time in levels one through three, and they rarely felt like they needed more.

Then there's the throttle, which several riders used to get rolling. A throttle delivers power without pedaling, a little like a scooter. It's handy for pulling away from a stop sign, getting a heavy bike moving, or giving tired legs a break.

Your handlebar display ties it all together, showing speed, assist level, and battery status at a glance. If you ever need a replacement, sixthreezero carries e-bike displays and batteries and chargers as parts, which is worth knowing when you're thinking about owning a bike for years rather than months.

One more piece of context: in the United States, e-bikes are commonly sorted into classes based on how assist works and where it cuts out, typically 20 mph for Class 1 and Class 2 and 28 mph for Class 3. Rules about where each class can ride, and about helmets and minimum ages, vary by state and city. Before you open up the top assist level, check the local rules for the paths and roads you plan to use.

Maria, 65: Plenty of Zip in Pedal Assist One

Maria introduced herself as 65 years old and in the market for an electric bike. Her first reaction to the EVRYjourney Deluxe came almost immediately: the bike had real pep, and she was only in pedal assist one.

That's a recurring theme in this video, and it's good news for anyone nervous about e-bikes. You do not need to live at the high end of the assist range to get a noticeable benefit. The lowest setting already takes the edge off starting, climbing, and pushing into a headwind. For a lot of riders, that's exactly the experience they want: a bike that feels like their old bicycle on a very good day.

Maria also called out the brakes, describing them as excellent. She was heading down a hill as she said it, and she pointed out how much safety that adds on a descent. Brakes are easy to overlook on a test ride, because people focus on the motor, but stopping power is what lets you relax. When a bike stops predictably, you can enjoy the speed it gives you instead of worrying about it.

Her ride stayed smooth throughout. She wasn't trying to set a record. She was trying to figure out whether this bike would feel good on the kinds of routes she actually rides, and the answer she gave was a clear yes.

A big part of Maria's enthusiasm had nothing to do with power. She kept coming back to how she was sitting. On the EVRYjourney Deluxe, she was upright rather than leaning forward over the handlebars, and she noticed the difference in her back and arms right away.

She described it simply: she wasn't hunched over, her back didn't hurt, and her arms felt comfortable. Anyone who has ridden a road bike or an aggressive hybrid for an hour knows what she means. A forward lean puts weight onto your wrists and shoulders and asks your lower back to hold you in place. That's fine for racing. It's not ideal for a relaxed ride to the coffee shop or a loop along the beach path.

An upright position also helps you see more. Your head is naturally higher, you can scan traffic without craning your neck, and drivers can see you more easily. For older riders and anyone with back, neck, or wrist trouble, it's often the single biggest factor in whether a bike gets ridden regularly or ends up in the garage.

If comfort is high on your list, our comfort electric bikes and electric beach cruisers are built around that same relaxed posture. And because fit is so personal, the sixthreezero fitting process can match you to a frame and setup based on your body and the way you like to ride.

A Motor So Quiet You Can Hear the Waves

Maria noticed something else that doesn't show up on a spec sheet: how quiet the bike was. She compared the motor to a whisper and said she could barely hear it.

That might sound like a small detail, but she explained exactly why it matters to her. A quiet motor means she can hear what's happening around her: cars approaching from behind, cyclists calling out as they pass, someone opening a car door ahead. Hearing is part of riding safely, and a loud motor whining under you takes some of that awareness away.

There's also the plain pleasure of it. Maria likes riding near the ocean, and with a quiet bike, the soundtrack of the ride is the birds and the waves breaking along the beach rather than electronics. For many people, that's the whole point of getting outside. An e-bike that lets you cover more ground without drowning out the scenery is doing its job.

If you're test riding any e-bike, try this: find a quiet street, pedal at a moderate assist level, and just listen. You'll learn a lot about whether the bike is going to feel peaceful or tiring over a long ride.

First Time on the Road: Working Up Through the Assist Levels

The next segment follows a rider taking the EVRYjourney Deluxe out on the road for the very first time. It's a useful example of how most people should approach a new e-bike: start gently and add power as you get comfortable.

She began with the throttle to get rolling, then settled into pedal assist one on a city street. When the road tilted uphill, she clicked up to level two and immediately felt the climb get easier. That's the right instinct. Rather than grinding up a hill and wearing yourself out, you give yourself a little more help exactly when the road asks for more.

She was having fun, too. Somewhere along the way she decided she needed a T-shirt with a new motto, something along the lines of live, laugh, pedal assist. It's a joke, but it captures how a lot of riders feel once they realize hills don't have to be the enemy anymore.

Next came pedal assist three, and her reaction was pure delight. She passed a parked car, kept a steady line, and rolled down a hill. On the display she saw 20 miles per hour and remarked on how fast that felt. Then, without anyone prompting her, she slowed down, saying it was the safe thing to do. That's exactly the judgment you want to see. The bike made speed easy, and she chose a speed that matched her comfort and the street.

Later, she worked her way back up to level three to try to make a green light, and on a final climb she used level four to hold 15 miles per hour up the hill. She also mentioned using her own legs, which is a nice reminder that an e-bike is still a bicycle. You're pedaling the entire time on pedal assist. The motor just makes your effort go further.

Deb's segment is the heart of this video for a lot of viewers. She introduced herself as 66 years old and fresh from hip replacement surgery. She was trying out bikes to see what felt good on her new hip, and she was candid about her nerves. It had been a long time since she'd been on a two-wheeler, and she expected to be wobbly.

Her first few pedal strokes came with a lot of laughter and a bit of uncertainty, which is completely normal. Balance on a bicycle comes back quickly for most people, but that first minute can feel strange after years away. Within moments, though, she was saying that things were going well and that her balance felt better than she'd feared.

What she was really watching for was her hip. She specifically mentioned the underside of the hip as the area she worries about, and she reported that she wasn't feeling discomfort there. The bike felt comfortable, and she sounded genuinely surprised by how good it felt.

Then came the line that sums up her ride. She said that, for years, her worsening hip had kept her from using her legs the way she wanted to, and that her new hip had given her a fresh sense of freedom. A little later she said she felt young again. It's hard to put a number on that, and honestly, it matters more than top speed.

A quick but important note: everyone's recovery is different. If you've had joint surgery, talk with your surgeon or physical therapist about when and how to start riding, and ask whether a two-wheeler or a more stable three-wheel option suits you better during recovery.

Why Low Impact Riding Appeals to So Many Riders

Deb made a point that's worth expanding on. She described cycling as low impact and noted that e-bikes in particular take the pressure off. She didn't feel like she was straining, and she sees riding as a way to rebuild muscle while she recovers, something she considers gentler than running or long walks.

Cycling is widely recommended as a lower impact form of exercise because your body weight is supported by the seat rather than landing on your joints with every step. Your legs still move through a full range of motion, your heart rate still climbs, and you still build strength, but without the repeated jarring that comes with running on pavement.

Pedal assist adds another layer. On a regular bike, a steep hill can force you into a hard effort whether you're ready for it or not. On an e-bike, you decide how hard you want to work. You can keep your effort gentle and steady, turning the pedals the whole time, while the motor handles the extra load. That control is a big part of why e-bikes appeal to people who are coming back from an injury, managing arthritis, or simply easing back into activity after a long break.

If you're looking at bikes with recovery or joint comfort in mind, browse our electric bikes for seniors and step-through electric bikes. A low step-through frame means you don't have to swing a leg high over the seat, which many riders find much easier on the hips and knees.

Deb finished her ride enjoying the wind in her face and in her hair, laughing at how worried she'd been about getting on a two-wheeler. That shift, from apprehensive to joyful in the space of a single ride, is something we see often on test rides.

One of the more practical moments in the video comes when a rider points the EVRYjourney Deluxe down a steep, bumpy hill. Instead of keeping the motor on, she dropped to pedal assist zero, essentially turning the bike into a regular bicycle for the descent.

That's a smart habit. Gravity already provides plenty of speed on a steep downhill, and you don't need the motor adding more. Switching to zero gives you a calmer, more controllable ride and saves a little battery for the climb that's almost certainly waiting on the other side.

She kept her speed modest because it was her first time on the bike, and she noted the bumps as she went. Getting to know a new bike on a descent is exactly when you should take it slow. Learn how the brakes bite, how the bike handles uneven pavement, and where your comfort limit is before you let it run.

At the bottom, she turned back uphill and brought the assist back into play. Her verdict on the climb was that it was easy, really easy. That rhythm of motor off for the downhill and motor on for the uphill is one of the simplest ways to make an e-bike feel effortless while staying in control.

Diane’s Walkthrough: Three Ways to Get Help

Diane's segment doubles as a helpful tour of the bike's features. Before her ride, she explained that the EVRYjourney Deluxe gives you three separate ways to make riding easier: pedal assist, gears, and a throttle.

It's a useful way to think about it. Each tool solves a slightly different problem. Pedal assist multiplies your own effort, so you get more distance for each push on the pedals. Gears let you choose how hard each push feels, which is what keeps your legs spinning comfortably on a climb or lets you stretch out on a flat. The throttle gives you power on demand, even when you're not pedaling at all.

Used together, they make the bike adaptable to almost any situation. Starting from a stop at a busy intersection, you might tap the throttle. On a long gentle grade, a lower gear and pedal assist two might be the sweet spot. On a flat stretch with a tailwind, you might drop the assist entirely and just enjoy pedaling. The more you ride, the more natural these choices become.

Diane also made a point we hear from a lot of riders: the combination of these three tools means you don't have to plan your route around hills anymore. More on that in a moment.

Front Suspension, Lights, and a Lighter Feel

Diane pointed out the front suspension fork, joking that she wasn't sure of the correct name for the shock absorbers up front. Whatever you call them, she was clear about their purpose: when the front wheel hits a bump, the suspension soaks up the jolt so she doesn't feel the vibration in her upper body.

For many riders, especially those with sensitive hands, wrists, shoulders, or necks, that's a real comfort upgrade. Streets are full of cracks, driveway lips, and patched asphalt, and a rigid front end sends every one of those straight into your arms. Suspension smooths out the ride and helps the tire stay in contact with the ground, which also helps with control.

She also highlighted the front and rear lights. Lights aren't only for night riding. A rear light makes you more visible to drivers in overcast weather, at dusk, and in shaded areas, and a front light helps oncoming traffic spot you. Having them built in means you're never relying on a clip-on light with a dead battery.

Once she got moving, Diane noticed how quickly the bike responded, even on pedal assist one. She guessed that some of that liveliness comes from the bike feeling lighter than several others she'd tried, and she compared the ride to a classic beach cruiser. Her summary was short and enthusiastic: the bike cruises.

The conditions during Diane's ride weren't ideal. It was windy, the kind of steady coastal breeze that can make a regular bike ride feel like climbing a hill that never ends. That turned out to be a good test.

Riding in third gear on pedal assist one, Diane was holding about 10 miles per hour straight into the wind, and she said her energy exertion was basically zero. That's a striking comment. Headwinds are one of the most discouraging parts of cycling, and they're often what convinces people to leave the bike at home. A modest amount of assist completely changed that experience for her.

She kept returning to how smooth and comfortable the ride felt. She liked the seat. She liked that the handlebars were set a little wider, which gives you more leverage and a more stable, relaxed steering feel. And she was openly curious about the higher assist levels, saying that if level one felt this strong, she could only imagine what level five would be like.

That curiosity is a good sign in a new rider. It means the bike gave her confidence at the gentlest setting while leaving plenty of room to explore. As your fitness, routes, or comfort change, you can lean on more power without needing a different bike.

Freedom to Go Wherever You Want

Toward the end of her ride, Diane shared what she saw as the real benefit of the EVRYjourney Deluxe. She said it gives her the freedom to go wherever she wants. She doesn't have to scout a route ahead of time, or worry that a particular hill will be too steep, because the combination of throttle, pedal assist, and the right gear will get her there.

She added that it doesn't matter how old you are or how athletic you are. That's a theme that runs through every segment of this video. Maria at 65, Deb at 66 and recovering from surgery, a first-time rider working her way up through the assist levels, and Diane riding into the wind all ended up in the same place: smiling, comfortable, and a little surprised by how much they enjoyed themselves.

This is what e-bikes do best. They widen the circle of people who can ride, and they widen the map for people who already do. A ride that used to be too long becomes an easy afternoon. A hill that used to mean walking the bike becomes a non-event. A windy day that used to mean staying home becomes just another ride.

Diane also mentioned that she loved the bike's color. It's a small detail, but it's a real one. People ride bikes they love looking at more often, and enjoying the look of your bike is part of what makes it feel like yours.

Deb wasn't the only rider in this video who hadn't been on a bike in a while, and her experience is a good guide for anyone in the same position. Her first attempt came with a few laughs and a little wobble. Her second came with more confidence. By the time she reached the open path, she was riding with a smile and talking about the breeze.

If you're returning to cycling after a long break, give yourself that same gradual on-ramp. Start in an empty parking lot or a quiet residential street where you don't have to think about traffic. Practice getting on and off a few times, then roll forward slowly with the motor off or on the lowest assist setting. Get a feel for the brakes before you build any speed.

Next, practice the basics that make riding relaxing: looking ahead rather than down at the front wheel, turning gently, and stopping smoothly with both brakes. Once those feel natural, add a little assist and take a short loop. Short, frequent rides build confidence much faster than one long, ambitious outing.

It also helps to set the bike up properly before you start. A seat height that lets you reach the ground comfortably at a stop, handlebars positioned so you're sitting tall, and tires inflated to the recommended pressure will make a bigger difference than most people expect. A bike that fits you well simply feels more stable.

And remember that a little nervousness is normal. Deb said it herself before her ride, and a few minutes later she was saying she felt young again. The bike didn't change in those few minutes. Her confidence did.

Making the Most of Your Battery on Every Ride

Speed and battery life are closely linked, and the riders in this video demonstrated several habits that help a charge go further, even if they weren't thinking about range at the time.

The biggest factor is the assist level. Pedal assist five, the setting used in the speed run, asks the most from the battery. Levels one and two, where Maria, Diane, and the first-time rider spent most of their time, sip power much more gently. If you know you have a long ride ahead, using the lower settings on flat ground and saving the higher ones for hills is the simplest way to stretch your range.

Gears matter too. Shifting into an easier gear before a climb lets your legs and the motor share the work efficiently. Grinding up a hill in a high gear makes both you and the motor work harder than necessary. Diane's approach of combining the right gear with a modest assist level is a good model.

Switching to assist zero on steep downhills, as one rider did on that bumpy descent, also helps. There's no reason to spend battery when gravity is already doing the work.

Finally, look after the battery between rides. Charge it with the charger that came with the bike, store it somewhere that isn't extremely hot or cold, and follow the manufacturer's guidance for long-term storage. A well-treated battery will serve you for many seasons of riding.

Whether you're trying the EVRYjourney Deluxe or any other e-bike, the riders in this video show that a good test ride is about much more than seeing a big number on the display. Here's what they paid attention to, and what you can look for on your own ride.

Check how you're sitting. Are you upright, like Maria, with no strain in your back, shoulders, or wrists? Does the seat feel supportive after ten or fifteen minutes, not just in the first minute?

Feel the lowest assist level. If pedal assist one already gives you a noticeable lift, as all three riders reported, you'll have a comfortable everyday setting and plenty of headroom for hills and wind.

Test the brakes on a gentle slope. You want stopping to feel predictable and confident, not grabby or vague. Maria's comment about feeling safe on a descent came directly from good brakes.

Listen to the motor. Can you still hear traffic, other riders, and the world around you? A quiet motor makes riding more relaxing and helps you stay aware.

Ride over a few bumps. Notice whether the front suspension smooths out cracks and rough patches, the way Diane described, or whether every jolt travels up into your arms.

Try a hill and a headwind if you can. These are the situations that decide whether you'll actually ride the bike on ordinary days. If a climb and a breeze both feel manageable on a low setting, you've likely found a bike you'll use often.

How to Choose the Right E-Bike for You

So, how fast can an electric bike go? On our ride, the EVRYjourney Deluxe hit 32 mph with a strong rider in seventh gear and pedal assist five. But as this video shows, the more useful question is how the bike feels at the speeds you'll actually ride, and whether it helps you get out more often.

Start by thinking about where you'll ride. Bike paths, beach boardwalks, neighborhood streets, and hilly suburbs all ask slightly different things of a bike. Then think honestly about your body. An upright position, a comfortable seat, front suspension, and an easy-to-mount frame can matter far more to your enjoyment than a higher top speed.

Next, consider your balance and confidence. Deb found she was steadier on two wheels than she expected, but some riders, especially during recovery, prefer the stability of three wheels. If that sounds like you, take a look at our electric trikes for seniors or the full range of electric tricycles.

When you're ready to compare models, our full electric bike collection includes options for women, men, and everyone in between. Every bike ships with a 30-day test ride, so you can try it on your own streets and hills, and shipping is free. Bikes arrive mostly assembled, and our assembly instructions walk you through the rest.

Watching these riders back to back, a handful of good habits stand out, and they're worth adopting no matter which bike you choose.

First, wear a helmet, every ride. The speed run began with a quick check that the helmet was on before the bike was even moving. If you need one, sixthreezero carries helmets designed to match a relaxed riding style.

Second, start low and build up. Every rider in this video began in pedal assist one or used the throttle gently to get going. You'll learn the bike's personality much faster at modest speeds, and you'll be far more prepared when you do ask for more power.

Third, slow down when the situation calls for it. The first-time rider eased off from 20 mph on her own because it felt like the right speed for the street. Deb took her first downhill slowly because she was still learning the bike. Speed is optional, and the best riders use it selectively.

Fourth, use assist zero on steep descents and save the motor for the climbs. You'll have better control and more battery left when you need it.

Finally, ride where you can hear and be seen. A quiet motor and built-in lights help, but staying in bike lanes, watching intersections, and making eye contact with drivers do the rest.

If you have questions after watching, browse more rider stories and how-to guides on the sixthreezero Bike Advice blog. And whatever your age or starting point, take a cue from Deb: it really can feel like riding a bike again, in the best possible way.