Initiating movement of a standard bicycle can sometimes be challenging, such as when peddling up steep hills. Initiating movement of an electric bicycle, on the other hand, has always been much easier. The rider either pedal-assists the motor or activates it with a throttle.
For many years, only lead-acid or nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery packs were used to power the motor. Since the 1990s, lithium-ion battery packs also have been used. Improvements in all types of rechargeable batteries—along with the “green” appeal of bike riding—have led to a surge in demand for electric bicycles.