For commuting, you choose between an electric scooter and an electric bike on three points: the rules, the distance and what you do with the vehicle along the way. An electric bike with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h falls under the ordinary bicycle rules and rides comfortably over longer distances. An electric scooter without pedal assistance may only be used on the road if the model is approved and has a registration plate.
First, the legal difference
In the Netherlands, an electric bike with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and a motor of no more than 250 W falls under the bicycle rules. You do not need a driving licence, a registration plate or third-party liability insurance, there is no obligation to wear a helmet and you ride on the cycle path.
For an electric scooter, things are different. A scooter without pedal assistance, where you do not have to kick yourself, falls under the special moped category. You may only use it on the road if the model is approved and has a registration plate. You then insure the scooter for third-party liability, you do not ride on the pavement and the maximum speed is 25 km/h. A driving licence and a helmet are not compulsory for such an approved scooter.
A scooter with pedal assistance, where you kick yourself and a motor of no more than 250 W helps you up to 25 km/h, falls under the same rules as an electric bike. You do not need a registration plate for it.
How long is your journey
Distance is the first filter. A scooter is compact: you put it down and you are inside. On a bike you sit, and you notice that on a longer ride. The further you have to go, the more the riding position and the battery capacity count.
The electric bikes we currently sell have batteries of 187 to 627 Wh. According to the manufacturer's specifications, that gets you 40 to 80 kilometres, depending on the model. The BOHLT Rebel has a 627 Wh battery and a stated range of up to 80 km. If you ride a considerable distance every day, choose at the top of that range.
What do you do with the vehicle along the way
If you take the vehicle on the train or store it at the office, folding and weight count most. Among the bikes, the weight varies considerably. The BOHLT X160 OR is a folding bike on 16-inch wheels and weighs 18.8 kg. The BOHLT R200 also folds and weighs 24.8 kg, on 20-inch wheels. The folding fatbikes weigh 28 kg and the fatbikes with a fixed frame 30.5 kg.
A bike of nineteen kilos can be carried up a flight of stairs without much effort. If the vehicle stays in the bike shed all day, weight plays a smaller role and you can choose more freely.
Where do you charge
If there is no socket where you park, a removable battery is handy. You unclip the pack, take only that inside and leave the bike where it is. The F20, the Fat Twenty, the Rebel and the RED6 Ghost have a removable battery. A full charge takes about 5 to 8 hours on these models, depending on the capacity.
Charging indoors at room temperature is good for a lithium battery. You can read how to keep the battery in good condition in our article on the lifespan and maintenance of an e-bike battery.
The weather, the shower and your luggage
With pedal assistance you pedal along yourself, and in warm weather you notice that. If there is no shower at work, set the assistance one level higher on the way there. On a scooter without pedal assistance you stand still and the motor does the work.
If you carry a laptop bag, shopping or sports gear, look at the maximum load. It includes rider and luggage and is between 120 and 150 kg for the current bikes. Add your own weight and your luggage together and keep some margin.
How to choose based on your own journey
Do you ride a short distance and does the vehicle have to come on the train or up a flight of stairs? Then an approved scooter or a light folding bike suits your journey. Do you ride further, do you want to sit or do you regularly carry luggage? Then an electric bike is the logical choice. If you are somewhere in between, let your charging point decide: no socket where you park means a removable battery.
Every bike comes with a 24-month manufacturer's warranty and you have a 30-day cooling-off period. If you order before 21:00 on a working day, your bike will arrive within 24 hours, and delivery is always free. The full range is under e-bikes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an electric scooter on the public road?
Yes. That is allowed with an approved scooter with a registration plate and third-party liability insurance, or with a scooter with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h. A scooter without pedal assistance that has not been approved may not be used on the road.
Do I need a helmet or a driving licence for an electric bike?
No. An electric bike with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and a motor of no more than 250 W falls under the bicycle rules. No helmet obligation, no driving licence and no registration plate.
How far can I go on a full battery?
For the electric bikes we currently sell, the manufacturer states 40 to 80 km, depending on the model. The batteries range from 187 to 627 Wh.
How long does charging take?
For the bikes with a removable battery, about 5 to 8 hours for a full charge. Topping up in between is fine.
How much does an electric folding bike weigh?
The X160 OR weighs 18.8 kg, the R200 24.8 kg and the folding fatbikes 28 kg. If you have to lift the vehicle every day, that difference is decisive.
