{"id":2447,"date":"2026-05-15T12:19:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T11:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/tesc\/?p=2447"},"modified":"2026-05-15T12:24:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T11:24:28","slug":"are-electric-bikes-here-to-stay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/tesc\/are-electric-bikes-here-to-stay\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Electric Bikes Here to Stay?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s fair to say that electric bikes<\/a> have changed the face of environmentally friendly transport in many places in the world, but how long have they been in Ireland, and have they proven themselves here?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we\u2019ll take a look at the history of electric bikes in Ireland and explore the way they have been incorporated into our urban and rural transport networks. There are several government schemes to encourage the use of traditional and electric bikes in Ireland, and we\u2019ll discover whether these have helped to establish electric bikes as a real alternative in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trek Rail+ 5 Gen 5 Electric Mountain Bike In Viper Red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Were Electric Bikes First Seen in Ireland?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Electric bikes were first envisaged in the 1890s, with plans for bicycles propelled by electric motors, but the early prototypes were not suitable for commercial production until many years later. In the early 2000s, electric bikes appeared on the mainstream market for the first time, and these began to grow in popularity. Early designs were expensive but appealed to buyers as a green mode of transport and gradually became established across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Ireland, the laws surrounding the use of electric bikes on public roadways<\/a> were not formalised until 20th May 2024, when they were legalised. This followed a widespread boom in the demand for electric bikes during the Covid pandemic, and meant that 250W pedal-assist e-bikes, also known as pedelecs, could be treated as regular bicycles, with access to buses and cycle lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have Electric Bikes Proven Themselves?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Electric bikes have become a very popular way to travel in Ireland, and a huge investment in infrastructure has been made to accommodate and encourage this. There is a range of schemes available via employers and the Government, including the Irish Bike to Work Scheme<\/a>, which allows employees to purchase bicycles and safety equipment, including eBikes, tax-free. This enables eligible employees to save up to 47% on the cost of their new bike, and works as a salary sacrifice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electric bikes have proved to be a good alternative to the city traffic jams for many commuters, and can also make a big difference for people looking to improve their fitness and get out and about in their local area. Since there are so many beautiful cycle routes in Ireland, many people enjoy exploring these with an electric bike that can enable them to travel further than they could on a traditional bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electric bikes that are classified as pedelecs, meaning that they have power only when peddling, must have a maximum 250W motor and a top assisted speed of 25km\/h. These can legally be ridden on public roads but cannot be used on motorways. More powerful bikes, such as 500W and throttle-only bikes, are classed as mopeds and must be licensed and insured to be used on public roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do we love eBikes in Ireland?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Electric bikes are increasingly seen as a great alternative to the car, and Ireland is well-suited to this form of transport. Here are just a few of the reasons why eBikes are a great choice here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n