I Found My E-Bike — Go Find Yours
How I got past my fear of falling and fell back in love with riding, in my 70s.
E-bikes have surged in popularity over recent years. In 2025, about one and a half million e-bikes were sold in the United States alone. Their popularity is due to the ability to replace the car for short trips, as an environmentally friendly transportation choice, recreation, and improved fitness.
The opportunity to improve overall health and fitness is particularly motivating for seniors. Recent reports state that seniors over 50 with one or more chronic health conditions don't meet the minimum daily exercise requirements. As a retiree in my 70's with heart and joint conditions, bike riding for exercise appeals to me. I can just grab my bike and go whenever I want. No exercise class schedule to worry about. Riding in parks and recreational areas combines exercise with my love of nature.
Naysayers told me I was too old to ride a bike, and that e-bikes weren't really exercise. I began to worry about the possible downsides of cycling. Can you guess the number one concern most seniors have about bike riding? If you guessed falling, you're right. That was a problem for me with my first e-bike. Although it was favorably reviewed in the materials I researched, I was disappointed. It was too heavy and difficult for me to steer. It was a rare day when I could go around the block without falling. The more I fell, the more my confidence waned and the less I rode. I feared the naysayers were right. It wasn't fun. I wasn't getting much exercise, and I worried that cycling would actually make my health worse if I had an injury. I was about to give up.
Enter Velotric e-bikes. My partner and riding buddy safely rode Velotric Discover 2 and Nomad 2 bikes, which he enjoyed. With his encouragement, I decided to test ride a Velotric Breeze 1 at a local bike shop. Afterwards, I told the salesperson that:
"Riding Breeze 1 was like a Lamborghini compared to my old bike that felt like a dump truck."
The difference was obvious. Breeze 1 was lighter at 50 lbs. and had much more responsive steering. The handlebars were comfortable and positioned my hands in front of me rather than off to the sides. Cushioned grips reduced hand pressure. The seat was also comfortable and easily adjusted for my height. Mounting, dismounting, and quick stops were worry-free because of the step-through frame.
All controls were conveniently located and easy to use. I particularly enjoyed the trip odometer, calories burned, and CO2 replaced features on the display. Like other Velotric models, Breeze 1 has SensorSwap, which has a low effort cadence-sensing mode or the more active torque-sensing mode. Changing gears was quick and easy. The throttle helped me get the bike going and, if tired or encountering a challenging hill, the boost feature gave me a little ooomph to catch my breath without stopping. I could ride more often and further without worrying that I wouldn't be able to make it back home. Best of all, I didn't fall.
Gradually, with regular riding and my partner's encouragement, I overcame my fears. Within a few weeks, bike riding was fun again. I felt like my Breeze 1 and I were a single being, and I enjoyed feeling lighthearted and free. It was as close to the sensation of flying as I'll likely ever get. Breeze 1's maximum speed is 28 mph, but I found that 18 mph was enough to induce euphoria. My partner and I were riding on a variety of surfaces including gravel, grass, packed dirt, and asphalt without worries. I was getting exercise and increasing my stamina, often riding between 5 and 10 miles several times a week. Breeze 1's battery range of 70 miles and 750W power were more than enough for these rides. Recharging was easy and quickly done at home. Perhaps best of all, my doctor congratulated me on my weight loss and other improved health markers saying, "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it."
My doctor congratulated me on my weight loss and other improved health markers, saying, "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it."
You don't have to take just my word for it. It turns out experts in the cycling world confirm my experience. In July 2026, the Electric Bike Report tested and recommended three Velotric models as among the best 13 cruiser models and 18 best models for seniors. In another article from December 2025, they listed Breeze 1 as the best overall city cruiser e-bike for women. They noted its design considered the special needs of women because of the size, weight, and proportions. (If it matters, it comes in cute colors. Mine is Violet Haze.) Breeze 1 has the bonus of an affordable price tag.
You can get assistance in selecting the Velotric model tailored to your needs, comfort level, riding surface, and more by using the online quiz on their official website.
In a few minutes, you can select an e-bike to suit you. I found my e-bike, go find yours!
