You are still able to pedal this bicycle as you would with a normal bike, but it has added electrical components to assist the rider, and make his riding easier in the instances where this is required. These bikes are not meant to be used to travel at high speeds, just to be able to give the rider assistance when they need it. It essentially augments human power and makes riding easier. This helps with people who are not fit and are cycling to become so, the older person is also taking to bike riding as a form of exercise to keep healthy, but don't need to tackle hills that might bring on a heart attack, just get the heart rate steadily up. This is where the electric motor comes in. There are many different sizes, shapes, designs, speeds and models of these bikes for the choosing. Models for the relaxed rider, the sporty rider and the very active too! It is for you to decide what you want, and which category you fit into. The electric motors used on these bikes are fitted in various ways. The older models may have a chain driven motor, mounted on the side, while newer models have these motors mounted in the front or rear wheel hub; making them more streamlined. Motors come in different power ratings and a fitted depending on your potential use. The battery can be one of three different types; lithium ion, nickel metal hydride and lead acid batteries. The more modern the motor it the more modern will be the battery required and some motors allow the user to choose that battery they would want. The motor is operated by means of a controller; again, it is up to the user to decide where they want this to be fitted. It can be mounted on the handlebars in much mosquito killer the same way as a throttle would be, and it can be activated by the pedals.