Yes — electric bikes are easy to pedal. With pedal assist switched on, an e-bike feels noticeably lighter to ride than a regular bike: the motor adds power to every pedal stroke, so hills flatten out, headwinds fade, and you arrive without breaking a sweat. Here’s what that actually feels like on Sydney streets — and what happens if you switch the motor off.
Why Are Electric Bikes So Easy to Pedal?
A pedal-assist e-bike only helps while you’re pedalling — you turn the cranks, and the motor multiplies your effort. In NSW, road-legal pedal-assist e-bikes provide up to 500W (dropping to 250W with EN 15194 certification from 1 March 2029) of continuous power and assist up to 25 km/h, which is more than enough to make city riding feel effortless. Most e-bikes let you choose between several assist levels, from a gentle push to a strong shove, so you decide how hard each pedal stroke feels.
The sensor type matters too. Bikes with a torque sensor measure how hard you’re pressing and respond instantly, giving a smooth, natural feel — we’ve covered this in detail in our torque sensor vs cadence sensor guide.
What If You Turn the Motor Off (or the Battery Dies)?
You can still pedal an e-bike with the motor off — it works exactly like a normal bike, just a heavier one. Most electric bikes weigh 20–30 kg, so on flat ground you’ll barely notice, but on a climb you’ll feel the extra weight. The gears still work as usual, so drop down a few and spin. Our practical tip from the workshop at Cyberbikes Leichhardt: don’t let the battery run flat in the first place. Even the lowest assist level transforms the ride and barely touches your range.
Sydney Hills Are the Real Test
Anyone who rides an e-bike in Sydney knows the city isn’t flat. The climb over Anzac Bridge, the rises around Leichhardt and Annandale, the pinches on the way to the Inner West’s back streets — this is where pedal assist earns its keep. On our Centauro e-bike, customers regularly tell us the hill they used to dread now feels like a false flat. If you’ve been putting off cycling because of one brutal climb on your commute, an e-bike is the cheat code — except it isn’t cheating, because you’re still pedalling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric bikes harder to pedal than normal bikes?
No. With assist on, an e-bike is easier to pedal than a normal bike. With assist off, it pedals like a regular bike that’s 8–15 kg heavier — manageable on flats, harder on hills.
Do you still get exercise on an e-bike?
Yes. You pedal the whole time, and studies consistently show e-bike riders ride more often and further than regular cyclists, so total exercise usually ends up higher.
Can you pedal an e-bike with a flat battery?
Yes. An e-bike with a flat battery works like a standard bike. Use lower gears to offset the extra weight and you’ll get home fine.
Want to feel how easy it really is? Come in for a test ride at Cyberbikes, 281 Parramatta Road, Leichhardt — and ask about our rent-to-own plans from $99.99/week.
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