How To Choose the Best Bike for Arthritic Knees?

If you’ve got bad knees, you’re not alone. One in four Americans lives with chronic knee pain, and arthritis is one of the most common culprits. The good news? The right kind of movement can actually help protect your joints rather than strain them.

Low-impact exercises are essential for managing arthritic knees, and cycling is one of the most effective options. It builds strength, improves mobility, and delivers great cardio benefits. All without the pounding impact of running or high-intensity workouts.

And when it comes to making cycling even easier on your joints, electric bikes take it a step further. The built-in motor helps you control how much effort you put into each pedal stroke, reducing stress on your knees and allowing you to ride longer and more comfortably. Being able to dial up or down your pedaling effort mid-ride is a game-changer for anyone dealing with arthritis or knee sensitivity.

In this guide, we break down why cycling — especially with an e-bike — is an excellent choice for people with knee arthritis, and what specific features to look for when choosing the best bike for painful or weakened knees. Let’s help you find a ride that supports your body and keeps you moving comfortably.

Is Cycling Good for Arthritic Knees?

Cycling is a low-impact exercise, meaning it doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the knees. This can help you avoid knee pain. As you pedal, your knee moves through a controlled, fluid range of motion, which helps improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness over time. Cycling also strengthens the muscles that support and stabilize the knee — particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. Stronger surrounding muscles mean less pressure on the joint itself, which can significantly ease arthritis discomfort.

Additionally, cycling requires your leg to go through a full range of motion, which can help strengthen muscles around the kneecap (like the quadriceps and calves). Stronger leg muscles help carry your lower body, alleviating your joints of the burden.

Plus, cycling can help you burn calories efficiently and manage your weight. Being overweight can worsen your arthritis because it places more pressure on joints. In fact, 10 pounds of extra weight can result in an extra 15 to 50 pounds of pressure on your knees. Even small reductions in body weight can dramatically reduce strain on arthritic knees, improving long-term comfort and mobility.

The Impact of Cardio

There’s no better exercise for weight loss than cardio. But, as we just said, walks and runs can be problematic if you have bad knees. So, that leaves biking as one of the only options left if you need cardio but have bad knees. 

Aside from being one of the best exercises for your knees, cycling has other health benefits, like promoting good cardiovascular health. It’s an aerobic exercise that can help build a healthier heart, blood vessels, and lungs, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and related issues.

If your heart rate is up and you’re out of breath, you’re doing it right, and your heart is certainly thanking you. Just like how cardio is the best exercise for weight loss, it’s also the best for heart health. The more blood you can get circulating in your system, the better, and nothing gets the blood pumping quite like cardio. 

Is Cycling Good for Cardio?

Last but not least, cycling is a great exercise because it’s so versatile. You can start by using a recumbent bike, for example, which places less pressure on the knees. Then, you can transition to an upright bike. And cyclists can use indoor stationary bikes at home on rainy days.

Speaking of, isn’t it the worst feeling when it’s a sunny day and you feel like you’ve got nothing to do? Biking is also unique because it affords you an opportunity to get all of your exercise done outdoors — which recumbent exercise bikes just can’t quite do.

This is also important for mental health. Time spent outdoors helps reduce stress, increase mood, and boost the attention span. The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after completing a long outdoor bike ride is truly one of the best feelings out there — yet another reason you should start biking for your primary cardio method. 

Cycling is adaptable in other ways, too. You can cycle uphill for an intense workout or enjoy a leisurely ride on a flat surface for a more low-key session. 

Few workouts offer this type of versatility, and there certainly isn’t a lot you could call “fun.” Biking is that rare exception. 

Electric bikes, in particular, are helpful in adapting cycling workouts to your needs and wants. We’ll explain further in the next section.

Key Features to Look For in a Knee-Friendly Bike

When you’re dealing with arthritic knees, choosing the right bike isn’t just about comfort, it’s about protecting your joints and making movement easier, safer, and more sustainable. Here are the most important features to look for when selecting a knee-friendly bicycle.

1. Low-Impact Riding Position and Frame Design

Your riding posture plays a major role in how much stress your knees experience. Bikes with an upright or slightly reclined riding position help distribute weight more evenly across your body, reducing pressure on the knees, hips, and lower back. 

For riders with limited mobility or stiffness, a step-through frame is especially helpful. The lowered top tube makes mounting and dismounting significantly easier — no need to swing your leg high over the bike. This simple design difference can make riding safer and more comfortable for anyone managing knee pain or reduced flexibility.

2. Adjustable Fit: Saddle Height, Reach, and Handlebars

Proper bike fit is essential when you have arthritic knees. An incorrectly adjusted saddle or handlebar can cause you to over-bend or overextend the knee, which may worsen discomfort or accelerate wear on the joint.

• Saddle height: Your leg should be almost fully extended at the bottom of each pedal stroke — without locking out the knee.
• Fore–aft saddle position: Proper alignment ensures your knee tracks correctly over the pedal for smoother motion.
• Handlebar height and reach: Higher bars reduce forward lean, helping keep weight off sensitive joints.

If you’re unsure how to dial in the perfect fit, consider getting a professional bike fitting or using a brand’s size guide to match your inseam and overall height to the right frame. A few small adjustments can dramatically improve comfort and reduce knee strain.

3. Gearing and Resistance Control

Gearing matters, especially when your knees need extra care. Bikes with lower gears and smooth, adjustable resistance allow you to spin at a comfortable cadence instead of grinding against heavy pressure, which can aggravate arthritic joints.

Best Types of Bikes for Arthritic Knees

When managing arthritis or chronic knee pain, certain bike styles offer far more joint-friendly support than others. Below are the best options for riders who need a gentler, more supportive cycling experience.

1. Recumbent Bikes and Trikes

Recumbent bikes and trikes are some of the most knee-friendly options available. Their reclined, chair-like seating position offers full back support, while the feet-forward pedaling reduces pressure on the knee joint and promotes a smooth, low-stress range of motion. Because you’re sitting in a stable, ergonomic position, your knees don’t have to bend as deeply or bear as much load during each pedal stroke.

2. Comfort and Cruiser Bikes

Comfort and cruiser bikes are another solid choice for riders with arthritic knees. These bikes feature upright riding positions, wide saddles, and swept-back handlebars, all of which help maintain a relaxed posture and reduce joint strain. Their geometry encourages a gentle pedaling motion that doesn’t over-compress the knees, making them perfect for short to moderate outdoor rides.

3. Electric Bikes With Pedal Assist

For many riders with knee arthritis, pedal assist is the feature that makes cycling possible again. Ebikes use a motor to share the work of pedaling, especially during the moments that put the most strain on the knees — like starting from a stop, climbing hills, or riding into headwinds. This dramatically reduces joint stress while still allowing you to stay active.

Why Ebikes are Perfect for Arthritic Knees

Ebikes are well suited for bad or arthritic knees because they offer low-impact, circular motion while letting the motor handle the hardest parts of riding, like hills, starts, and headwinds. That means people with arthritis can still enjoy real exercise and outdoor activity without having to push through high levels of pain or effort.

• Low-impact exercise without pounding: Cycling loads the knee in a smooth, controlled way, with far less impact than running or jumping, which is why it is often recommended for knee osteoarthritis.
• Motor support lets you “dose” your effort: With pedal assist, the e-bike’s motor adds power only when you pedal, so you can move your legs and raise your heart rate while the motor supplies a large share of the torque. You still get the benefits of exercise, but you are not forced to push hard on the pedals to keep moving.
• Enjoyment without overexertion: Most e-bikes offer multiple assist levels, so on days when your knees feel stiff or sore you can use a higher assist setting and simply spin the pedals with minimal pressure.
• Longer, more frequent rides with less pain: Because the motor lightens the workload, people who cannot tolerate long or hilly rides on a regular bike can go farther and ride more often on an e-bike.

If you’re looking for an cruiser ebike that is particularly friendly to arthritic knees, consider Velotric Breeze 1:

Velotric Breeze 1: The Comfort-First Cruiser Ebike with Smarter Pedal Assist

The Velotric Breeze 1 is a comfort-first cruiser designed for easy riding, featuring an upright ComfortMax™ geometry that reduce strain on your back and knees. Its advanced pedal-assist system offers 15 customizable acceleration curves, each with 5 PAS levels you can adjust on the control panel. With SensorSwap™, you can switch between torque sensing for a natural, responsive feel and cadence sensing for low-effort, laid-back pedaling, giving you two ride personalities in one stylish cruiser built for pure comfort.

Learn more about Velotric Breeze 1

Velotric Nomad 2x: The Effortless All-Terrain Adventurer Fat-tire Ebike

The Velotric Nomad 2X is built for riders who crave real off-road freedom, even if your knees aren’t what they used to be. Its 750W motor delivers a massive 105Nm, giving you the power to conquer steep climbs, loose sand, rocky trails, and rugged terrain without putting extra strain on your joints.

And if you crave adventure but worry your knees might slow you down, this is the bike that changes everything. With full air suspension to absorb impact and SensorSwap™ to switch between torque and cadence sensor for your ideal comfort level, plus 3 riding modes × 5 pedal assist levels offering 15 ways to dial in support. The Nomad 2X lets you ride farther, climb easier, and take on the outdoors with confidence and almost no effort.

Learn more about Velotric Nomad 2X

8 Things To Consider When Choosing an Electric Bike

An electric bike can be a great tool for managing your arthritis. That said, not all e-bikes are created equal. 

It’s essential that you look for what fits your needs. From the most important factors such as size and model to the more trivial ones like color and accessories, your electric bike should be a reflection of yourself: fun, cool, useful, and all-around dope.

Here’s what to look for when purchasing an e-bike:

Bike Size 

Look for bikes with different frames for different heights. An appropriately-sized bike with the saddle at a comfortable height will be easier to get on and off. It can also help encourage a healthy cycling posture, allowing you to avoid issues like back pain.

For example, the Velotric Discover 2 and Nomad 2X come in two sizes: The Step-Through (Step-Thru) models are ideal for rider heights 5 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet, 4 inches, while the High-Step models are ideal for rider heights 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 9 inches.

Accessible Riding Modes 

Pedal assist is a great feature for people with arthritis. It allows you to control exactly how much effort you have to put into pedaling. You can ramp up the pedal assist and reduce pressure on knee joints when necessary.

Multi-Speed Levels for Improved Bike Control 

A bike with speed adjustment gives you greater control over your ride, allowing you to adjust your pace to your comfort level. Beginner readers may prefer to keep a slower pace, for example.

Motor Power 

Electric bikes have different motor powers. It’s good to have an e-bike with the capacity to help you in tough spots, like going uphill, so you don’t have to pedal as much — alleviating stress on your knees.

Long Battery Life 

E-bike range refers to how long the bike battery lasts after one charge. A long battery life means you won’t have to recharge as often. 

Tire Size 

Slimmer tires are more popular for city riding, while fatter tires are better for rough terrains. People with arthritis would likely prefer fat tires, which allow for a smoother ride even on bumpy areas.

Think about where you live. Are you in the middle of a city? The woods? Suburbia? Everything is a factor, such as weather, roads, bike lane accessibility, etc. Be sure to do all of your research before you decide what kind of tires to get. 

Ergonomic Design 

Ergonomic design helps promote a good bike fit. For example, the pedals shouldn’t be too far down, or you can strain your knees. Similarly, the handlebars should be positioned to encourage good posture, avoiding back pain. A natural, upright position decreases the strain on the lower back — the seat positioning is critical here!

Plus, each of our bike models comes with two frame sizes tailored to different heights. The Step-Thru fits rider heights from 5 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet, 4 inches, while the High-Step model fits rider heights from 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 9 inches.

Safety Features 

Safety is paramount when cycling. Ensure any bike you buy has protective features, like rear brake lights and hydraulic disc brakes. Also, check that the bike is suitable for riding in the rain. As we mentioned before, the bike itself is almost a safety feature. If your knees start acting up, your bike can help ensure you get home okay.

5 Tips for Biking With Arthritic Knees

It’s important to keep a few things in mind before hopping on your e-bike and cycling into the sunset.

Follow these best practices for riding an electric bicycle if you have bad knees:

Invest in your cycling gear. For your safety, wear a helmet, eye protection, biking gloves, and bright clothing. Also, wear comfortable, form-fitting cycling clothes (so they don’t get caught in the pedals).

Warm up. Never start a ride until you’ve warmed up. Do some light stretching and move your joints. Range-of-motion exercises that focus on your knees are a great starting point.

Start small. If you’re new to cycling, begin with shorter rides. Aim for five to 10 minutes at a low resistance level (increase the pedal assist so you don’t have to work as hard). Increase the length and intensity (decreasing the pedal assist) of each ride over time.

Stretch every day. Always stretch before and after every ride. This helps improve your mobility and range of motion. These stretches for bike riders are a good reference.

Stop if you feel pain. Take a break if something hurts. You may need to adjust your bike seat or cycling stance. If the pain continues, seek professional help. You don’t want to risk a more serious injury.

Discover Why Velotric e-Bikes Are the Top Choice for Arthritic Knees

If you’re looking for the best exercise bike that ticks all the boxes above, check out the Velotric bike shop. Our recommendations for people seeking the right bike to help with knee pain? The Velotric Breeze 1 or Nomad 2x. Both models have helpful features like pedal assist and walk mode.

The Discover 1 has thick 2.5” tires, making it an incredible cruiser bike for comfortable city riding, while the Nomad 1 has 4” wide fat tires, making it more suitable for all terrains, including the weekend off-road ride.

Both the Discover 1 and Nomad 1 offer a choice of frame sizes to suit different heights. The Step-Thru model is ideal for rider heights 5 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet, 4 inches, while the High-Step model is ideal for rider heights 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 9 inches.

Ready to give cycling a try? Book a test ride now.