There will always be a place for the time-honored bicycle. An electric balance bike, on the other hand, is the two-wheeled urban and suburban transport of tomorrow. These electric bikes combine battery-powered propulsion with top-shelf components and versatility across skill levels, riding styles and even ages. The self-balance electric bike is the proven way of getting young riders accustomed to total control of bike and body. Find out why you’ve been hearing so much about these bikes and discover for yourself what it’s like to ride with an electric assist.

Electric balance bikes are the usually the first step toward two-wheeled adventure for the youngest riders. These bikes make smart gifts from parents, grandparents or aunts and uncles who want to provide an exhilarating alternative to a kid’s bike with training wheels. STACYC, a well-known balance bike manufacturer, has models for kids where suggested sizes range from 14 to 18-inch inseams. This makes the best age for a balance bike relatively young — with some experts saying between 18 months and two years is completely safe!

You’ll quickly see the child in your life evolve from novice rider to total ripper in no time at all. Plenty have graduated on to peewee motorcycles from here, but a self balance electric bike builds the fundamentals of riding. Adult riders have hardly been left out of the ebike game. Cycle Gear’s selection of MX and MTB-inspired electric bikes combined long-range batteries with cutting-edge features like full carbon frames and a suspension from motorcycle mainstay Öhlins. The all-terrain urban crusher that is the Super73 also continues to draw in new riders who see the benefits in a bike with a battery.

There’s a reason why so many motorcyclists also ride bicycles and it’s these types of ebikes where the crossover makes so much sense. Toddlers can find their footing on self-balance bikes while full-sized riders quickly appreciate putting electric power to the pedals.