There are lots of reasons to buy an electric bike, also known as an e-bike. They can help you bike more and drive less, go further faster, and they’re just a heck of a lot of fun!
But there are soooo many electric bikes flooding the market, it can be hard to know what to look for or where to begin. And as a woman, you might have special considerations to take into account. Like needed a smaller bike, wanting to wear a skirt, or just hoping for a pretty design.
The good news is that we’ve sorted through the many options for you. We’ve tested, reviewed, surveyed, and researched electric bikes, to come up with our top picks for women’s electric bikes.
Some of these are true women’s-specific bikes while others are simply bikes that have a wide variety of sizes and appropriate geometry for ladies. We’ve broken them down further by type of bike–hybrid and cruiser electric bikes for city riding and fitness, electric mountain bikes, and electric road and gravel bikes.
If you’re brand new to e-bikes, you might also want to scroll all the way to the bottom of the article. There we’ve shared some tips on what to look for–types of motors, batteries, etc.
Our Top Picks
| Bike | Bike Type | What We Like | Price | |
| 1 | Radpower Radcity | City | Powerful motor, great bang for your buck | $1,999 |
| 2 | Blix Aveny | City | Affordable, feminine vibe | $1,999 |
| 3 | VVolt Alpha | City | Sleek look, lightweight | $1,399 |
| 4 | Cero One | City | High quality components, belt drive | $3,799 |
| 5 | Electra Townie Go! | Cruiser | Cruiser design, internally geared hub | $2,950 |
| 6 | BlueJay Premiere Edition | Cruiser | Woman owned business | $3,295 |
| 7 | Specialized Turbo Levo | Mountain Bike | Adjustable frame geometry, lots of build levels | $5,800+ |
| 8 | Orbea Rise M10 | Mountain Bike | Lightweight, smooth power transitions | $8,999 |
| 9 | Trek Domane + | Road Bike | Comfortable “endurance” geometry | $5,999 |
| 10 | Canyon Grail: On | Road Bike | Long range for gravel adventures | $4,999 + |
Women’s Electric Bikes For Casual Or City Riding
Most women looking for an e-bike are looking for an electric hybrid or cruiser bike that are appropriate for casual and/or city riding. These are our top choices for biking to work, running errands, cruising the bike path, general fitness, or towing kids.
Radpower Radcity
The Radwagon Radcity is the perfect compromise between performance and price. This bike is an affordable, entry-level e-bike for around town riding, but has plenty of power and durability to get you where you need to go.
It has a powerful 750W motor that we’ve found manages to get up even the steepest hills. Climbing is also made easier by the 7-speed drivetrain. (Some of the cheaper Radpower bikes only have one gear).
The bike has built in lights (front and rear) for low light commuting, a rear rack, and bosses to add a front rack to if you would like. Radwagon keeps the price down by not including too many accessories, but there are tons of add-ons you can buy to customize your ride.
We liked that the low stand over made it easy to wear a skirt, and the overall vibe felt European and fashionable–not dorky.
Pros: Affordable, excellent customer service, powerful motor
Cons: No affiliated bike shops for service and repairs, suspension fork is unnecessary
Read Our Review: Radpower RadCity
Price: $1,999
Blix Aveny Skyline
The Blix Aveny Skyline is the perfect bike for riding to work or to the library. The rack on the back can carry your laptop bag or add some panniers to carry groceries. If you have a child, you can also add a Yepp Seat to the rear rack.
This bike has both an electric assist and a throttle which makes getting started easier. The 500w Shengyi motor can propel you up to 20 mph and has a range of 20-40 miles.
The thing we love most about the Blix Aveny is the pricetag. It takes longer to charge than some of the more expensive bikes on this list, and has slightly cheaper components, but it’s a great introductory electric bicycle for anybody who doesn’t want to spend a fortune.
Pros: Beautiful paint job, feminine vibe, affordable
Cons: Took some fine tuning out of the box, noisy
Read Review: Blix Aveny Skyline
Price: $1,599
VVolt Alpha
The VVolt Alpha Step Thru is affordable, simple, and sleek. In fact, this is a bike you might not even notice is an e-bike until you do a double take.
We like the Gates belt drive (which won’t rust and doesn’t need to be lubed), as well as the over all low-maintenance design. Because it doesn’t have an unnecessary suspension fork or fat tires, it is super light weight for an e-bike at only 44 lbs.
This means you can ride it home even if the battery dies, which isn’t true of most e-bikes. The light weight is also nice for women who sometimes struggle to park a heavier bike or hold it steady at a stop sign.
Pros: Sleek look (hidden battery), lightweight, low maintenance, affordable
Cons: Lights aren’t integrated, can get spun out on flat roads
Read Our Review: VVolt Alpha Step Thru
Price: $1,399
Cero One
The Cero One is what I’d consider a “light” cargo bike. It has plenty of space for carrying gear in a front basket as well as on the rear rack. This makes it a great choice for women who want to be able to replace trips to the library or grocery store with a bike rather than a car, but don’t want a big bulky cargo bike.
The Cero One isn’t cheap but it is stocked with top of the line components. Unlike many of the cheaper bikes on this list, it has a mid-drive (rather than a hub drive motor) that feels super smooth.
It’s also super low maintenance thanks to the Gates belt drive and internally geared hub.
Pros: High end components, smooth pedaling and motor engagement, low maintenance
Cons: Hard to get started when fully loaded, 55 lb weight limit on rear rack
Read Our Review: Cero One
Price: $3,799
Electra Townie Go!
Who doesn’t love a good old fashion cruiser bike?! The Electra Townie Go! has all of the nostalgia of a traditional cruiser but with modern features like an electric assist, an internally geared hub, and disc brakes.
The components on this baby are top notch and include a Bosch power system and Shimano drivetrain. Electra is owned by Trek, so this is a great bike if you’re looking to support a local bike shop or you want the long-term support that buying from a shop provides.
Pros: Fun design, high quality motor, local bike shop (Trek) support.
Cons: Have to work hard to get it to 20 mph
Read Our Review: Electra Townie Go!
Price: $2,950 (for the 5i EQ version)
BlueJay Premiere Edition
There aren’t many woman founded bike businesses, but Bluejay Bikes is one. The BlueJay Premiere is a super stylish, designed-by-women-for-women dutch style e-bike.
The bike has a powerful Bafang 350 watt mid drive motor that makes it up even the steepest hills, and an 8 speed internally geared hub to help you up as well. Unlike many one-size-fits-all e-bikes, the BlueJay Premiere also comes in two different sizes to better fit a wide range of women.
Pros: Comes in 2 sizes, woman owned, relatively lightweight
Cons: More expensive than other Dutch style e-bikes
Read Our Review: Bluejay Premiere Edition
Price: $3,295
Other Women’s Electric Bikes To Consider
- Specialized Turbo Como – Specialized is known for providing fabulous bikes at a competitive price point. This is a great choice if you are looking to buy from a local bike shop.
- Trek Verve +* – Sleek and fast. Perfect for getting to work in a hurry.
- Radpower Radwagon* – Longtail cargo bike at an affordable price.
- Buzz Centris – Folding, fat tire e-bike. Works well for RV living, cruising the campground.
Comparison Chart: Women’s City E-Bikes
Not sure how all these bikes stack up? Here’s a comparison chart to help you out.
| Bike | Price (MSRP) | Motor | Watts | Motor Type | Torque | Battery | Range (miles) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RadPower RadCity 3 Step Thru | $1,599 | Shengyi | 750 w | Hub drive | 40 nm | 672 Wh | 25-45 | 65 lbs |
| VVolt Alpha Step Thru | $1,399 | Xplova/Acer | 350 w | Hub drive | 45 nm | 375 wh | 20-40 | 44 lbs |
| Cero One | $3,799 | Shimano STEPS | 250 w | Mid drive | 60 nm | 504 Wh | 80-100 | 58 lbs |
| BlueJay Premiere | $3,295 | Bafang | 350 w | Mid drive | 80 nm | 672 wh | 75 | 55 lbs |
| Electra Townie Go! 5i EQ | $2,949 | Bosch | 250 w | Mid drive | 40 nm | 400 Wh | 20-50 | 59 lbs |
| Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 Low Entry | $3,250 | Specialized | 250W | Mid drive | 50 nm | 460 Wh | 25-50 | 47 lbs |
| Trek Verve+ 3 Low step | $3,299 | Bosch | 250 W | Mid drive | 50 nm | 500 Wh | 30-75 | 46.96 lbs |
| Blix Aveny | $1,599 | Shengyi | 500 w | Hub drive | 70 nm | 672 Wh | 20-40 | 54 lbs |
| RadPower Radwagon 4 | $1,999 | Shengyi | 750 w | Hub drive | 40 nm | 672 Wh | 25-45 | 76 lbs |
Women’s Electric Mountain Bikes
Mountain biking is incredibly fun, but it can also be incredibly hard. An e-assist can help you go further, faster, with less effort. Whether you’re trying to keep up with your partner, get in shape, or stay in zone 2 on easy training days, an electric mountain bike is a great choice.
Specialized Turbo Levo
Ready for some serious fun? The Specialized Turbo Levo can deliver. With 3 power settings, and smooth power engagement, you’ll feel like you’re flying up the steep climbs.
The Specialized Turbo Levo works well for women thanks to the wide range of frame sizes particularly on the lower end and the adjustable frame geometry. In addition to the wide range of frame sizes, there are also a wide range of build levels, so you can find a model that works for you whatever your budget may be.
The only complaint we had about the bike was the weight, but Specialized even has a solution for that! If the Specialized Turbo Levo is too heavy for you, you can also consider the Specialized Turbo Levo SL. It has less power, but the weight savings is significant.
Pros: Wide range of frame sizes, multiple build levels, adjustable frame geometry
Cons: Heavy
Read Review: Specialized Turbo Levo
Price: $5,800 to $15,000
Orbea Rise M10
One of the biggest issues with electric mountain bikes for women is the weight. Fortunately, there are lighter weight options–like the Orbea Rise M10.
The Orbea Rise can handle just about any trail thanks to the nimble geometry and full size motor. The carbon frame is rounded out with a 140mm Fox FLOAT X Factory shock and a 150mm Fox 26 Float factory fork.
The one bummer about the Rise is that the battery display costs extra. It can be unnerving to be out for a ride and unsure of how much battery life you have left. We also wish the bike came with larger brake rotors.
Pros: Super lightweight, customizable, smooth power transitions
Cons: Small rotors, battery display costs extra
Read Review: Orbea Rise M10 Review: A Lightweight E-Bike
Price: $8,999 List
Women’s Electric Road & Gravel Bikes
Electric drop bar bikes have come a long way. Today, the integrated batteries and motor are barely noticeable. So, go crush that climb or ride that century with the extra help of an electric assist.
Trek Domane +
The Trek Domane + is a carbon road bike with a stealthy electric assist. Compared to other electric bikes, it’s a lot lighter, so you can ride without the electric assist without it weighing you down. You can even remove the battery if you want to save weight and use the bike on certain days as a traditional road bike.
The 500w Fazua motor is top of it’s class, has smooth engagement, and is relatively quiet. The bike comes in multiple build levels (aka pricepoints), but even the entry-level bike offers higher end features like hydraulic disc brakes and tubeless ready wheels.
While this bike is best suited to tarmac, it has enough tire clearance to throw on some beefier tires for dirt roads and gravel as well.
Finally, we appreciate the wide range of sizes (seven). Even the smallest ladies should be able to fit the 50 cm frame.
Pros: Comfortable endurance geometry, built-in storage compartment, lots of mounts for cages/fenders/bags
Cons: 20mph cutoff
Read Review: Trek Domane +
Price: $5,999 +
Canyon Grail: On
The Canyon Grail: On isn’t quite as stealthy as other options, but maybe that doesn’t matter to you. What the bike does have going for it is power, range, and speed. The 500wh battery provides best-in-class range.
The Grail is a popular gravel bike, but works well on the road as well. For shorter women, we really appreciate that the bike comes in an XXS frame and that the smaller bike sizes have 650b wheels (larger sizes have 700c).
While the battery range is amazing, our one complaint about the bike is that it doesn’t work well for multi-day trips or touring. This is due to the fact that the battery takes a long time to charge, and there aren’t many eyelets for bags, bottles, and racks.
Pros: Range, stable geometry, sized for smaller ladies
Cons: Long charging time, not many mounting spots
Read Review: Canyon Grail: On
Price: $4,999 +
Things To Think About When Shopping For A Women’s Electric Bike
Not sure how to choose the best e-bike for YOU? Here are some things to be thinking about.
Classes of E-Bikes
There are three different “classes” of electric bikes. Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes can also be referred to as “pedal assist” bikes. This is because they still require you to pedal to propel forward.
Class 1 e-bikes can propel you up to 20 mph. They can have a throttle, but the throttle will not engage unless you are actively pedaling.
Class 2 e-bikes also have 20mph maximum, but may have a throttle that works without you having to pedal. This can be super helpful for getting started from a stop, especially if the bike is heavier or is hauling cargo.
Class 3 e-bikes go the fastest and can go up to 28 mph. These may or may not have a throttle, but the throttle will not engage unless you’re pedaling.
All 3 classes are allowed in most cities and states without any kind of special license, but laws and regulations vary by state and municipality, so you may want to check before choosing a bike. Also be aware that in many areas, electric mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails at all–regardless of class.
All classes of e-bikes have a maximum motor power of 750w. Which brings us to our next point….
The Motor
Most e-bike motors are supplied by a few major brands. The most common are Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, Brose, and Bafang.
These “brand name” motors are generally reliable and backed by excellent customer service. You will find cheaper e-bikes with off brand motors and some of these actually perform quite well! That said, you’re always taking a bit of a gamble when buying an off-brand motor. Make sure to read reviews first!
The power of the motor is measured in watts, and the torque of the motor is measured in newton meters. Both numbers will give you an idea of how much boost you’ll get. The greater the watts and nm, the more power.
There are also two types of electric bike motors: a “mid-drive” or a “hub-drive.” A mid-drive motor is at positioned at the bottom bracket near your cranks. A hub-drive motor is in the hub (center) of the bicycle’s wheel–usually the rear wheel.
We generally prefer a mid-drive motor, although there are benefits to a hub-drive. Hub-drive motors are more affordable and require less maintenance which can be attractive to women just getting into cycling.
Mid-drive motors offers a smoother experience, while hub-drive motors can be a bit jerky. (Some are better than other).
The Battery
A lot of folks pay a lot of attention to the motor on the e-bike they are buying and not enough attention to the battery. An even more important measurement than watts is watt-hours (or Wh). This tells you how much power you’ll get for how long. The more Wh the longer you’ll be able to ride before recharging.
You should also consider how long the battery will take to recharge. With most e-bikes you’ll plug a charger into the battery while it’s still mounted on the bike. Others, will allow you to remove the battery and charge it indoors. I’m a big fan of batteries or chargers that have some sort of indicator light to let you know once they are fully charged.
Another thing you may want to pay attention to is how obvious the battery is. Some bikes have a big bulky battery attached to the down-tube of the frame, while others have become more streamlined and nearly unnoticeable. Whether or not this matters to you is entirely personal preference.
The Electra Townie Go! (left) has an external battery, while the battery on the Vvolt Alpha (right) has a battery that is integrated into the frame.
Weight
Compared to a regular bike, a motor and battery can add a bunch of weight to an e-bike. Thanks to the electric assist you might not notice the weight that much while pedaling, but it can still make the bike more challenging to maneuver, load on your bike rack, or carry upstairs. More petite women, in particular, should pay attention to weight when shopping.
Frame Design (Step-Thru)
If you are choosing an electric bike for commuting, you may want to consider a step-thru frame. These frames have the top bar (or top tube) slope lower, and are often referred to as a women’s frame.
These lower step-thru frames make it easier for shorter women to get on and off the bike. They also allow you to wear a skirt if you so choose.
Ability To Carry Gear
What (if anything) do you plan to be carrying with you? A water bottle? Make sure the bike you want has a water bottle mount.
Your laptop and work supplies? Look for a bike that has a rear rack so you can add paniers.
Groceries, dogs, and children? An electric cargo bike with plenty of storage space either front or rear will be your best bet.
Online Vs Your Local Bike Shop
A lot of the e-bikes coming on the market in the last few years are direct to consumer. In other words, you buy them online and have them shipped to your home rather than buying them at a local bike shop.
This is both a good and a bad thing. In terms of the good, it generally allows you to get a better price because the middleman has been cut out. It also allows you a larger selection than you might be able to get at your local bike shop.
On the other hand when you shop at your local bike shop you tend to get better support (and you support your local economy). If something happens to your bike, you can always take it back to that shop for repairs. If you’re not very mechanically savvy (or don’t have a spouse or friend who is), it can be a better choice to buy from a shop. It also means there’s generally some level of quality control that you’re not getting ordering online.
All that said, I have several e-bikes that are direct to consumer (such as my RadPower) and I’ve had great success with buying online. So it’s a personal choice.
More Stuff You Might Like
- Ultimate Guide to Bike Commuting (For Women)
- Cycling For Beginners: Everything You Need To Know
- 5 Stylish Bike Helmets That Are Actually Cute
About The Author
Kristen Bonkoski is the founder and owner of Femme Cyclist.
An avid cyclist for a few decades now, she took to cycling during her late teen years — a time when she needed something to help boost her self-esteem and confidence.
Mission accomplished, the sport has become an important part of her life. Kristen’s favorite disciplines are mountain biking and bike commuting, although you can also find her cranking out a century on her road bike and touring with her husband and son. If it has to do with two wheels, she enjoys doing it.
Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach, and she runs Rascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.
Are You Listening To The Femme Cyclist Podcast?!?
A podcast for women who love bicycles! We we celebrate all forms of riding and all forms of women, so whether you’re a road cyclist, mountain biker, or bike commuter, you’ll find your community here. Each week we’ll week bring you interviews from inspiring women, and offer tips and tricks to help you thrive on the bike.
How about reviewing ladies ebikes for touring? I’d like to know what are the tops of ladies ebikes for touring?
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for the suggestion. We’ll add it to the list to work on!
Jenny –
Check out the Blix Aveny e-bike! I bought one last year and LOVE IT! It’s a great, stylish, comfortable ride!
Best of Luck!
Pam
Hi Kristen,
Thanks for the informative review of women’s electric bikes. My wife just purchased a Liv Embolden E+ 2 Power full suspension mountain bike in XS, the smallest frame size. The standover height is just barely enough for her 5′ 2″ frame and 29″ inseam. Liv’s owner manual Fit Section states that standover height is the basic element of bike fit and that 2 inch clearance is minimum for paved surface riding, 3 inches for unpaved surfaces and 4 inches off road use. Good luck finding any women’s full suspension mountain bike frame size with those clearances for shorter women! Why are manufactures not making frames to fit smaller women?
This is a constant battle for us women who are short. Tiresome.
That’s so true. I finally settled on the vida-bike good luck it is still a little large
This is an extreme irritant to me. I am 4’11. I have a large collection of wonderful bikes. But no electric bike, unless I want a tank. No thanks.
At 5’0″ I have the same trouble. Not to mention everything is over $1000. For a casual rider, not practical.
Looking for. Electric bike for 4’11” female. Want the lightest frame possible.
Did you find one I want thesame
Exactly my problem. I’m 5’2” and am on my third electric mountain bike. Have had many a tumble because I cannot reach the ground – and bruised groin area. I want double suspension and good clearance, anyone know why this is soo hard?
To follow up on the standover height issue, I researched the 2019 Women’s mountain bikes you reviewed and a few other popular models. None is a good fit for a 5’2″ woman with 29″ inseam.
Standover Height:
Devinci DC NX/GX Ebike in S is 28.3″.
Cannondale Cujo Neo 130 4 Ebike in S is 30.0
Liv Embolden E+ 2 Power in XS is 28.0
Trek Powerfly 5 Women’s in 14.5 is 29.1
Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp in S is 30.6
Unfortunately, I’m not impressed with the choices presented here. Where is a classic (thin) dutch bike when you don’t need to a carry-3-kids-cargo bike, a spandex-and-corporate-sponsor-required road bike, or a knuckle-busting mountain bike? Or bikes that don’t look like an insect or an overinflated puffer.
I really like the spec comparison chart (that includes weight, motor brand and power), but please add battery brand, capacity, and location information, and motor position information.
Please review Bluejay, Gazelle, Blix, Story, and others offering step-through frames in a classic style.
Thank you!
Hi Teri,
Appreciate your feedback. An update of this post and more reviews is on my to-do list; will work on incorporating your requests….One of the biggest issues is simply how many types of bikes there are now with electric assist (cargo vs road vs city, etc); might have to break into multiple articles to better address some of your concerns (and those of others presented above).
Cheers,
KB
Hey there. What about bikes for fat women?!?!?
Hi Ali! Great question, we will have to add weight limits to the comparison chart. Of the bikes on this list, the CERO One has a 300 lb Max as does the Electra Townie Go!. For bikes with higher weight limits, check out this article (although the list is not female specific).
DB
Thanks for doing this. Just had interesting moment measuring my inseam.😳
I’m 5 foot 2 inches tall. I am also looking for an ebike that can provide comfort to a shorter framed person. In addition, a lighter weight ebike is also attractive to me. BTW, how come no review of the Avanti ebikes?
Look for a bike with an extremely low stepover—like the Radpower Radcity. No review of the Avanti e-bikes yet. We’re a small team here, but hope to test one for you soon.
This article answers everything women ask about electric bikes. Nicely written!