The 14 Best Commuter Bikes in 2024 - Best Electric Commuter Bikes

Feb 25, 2025

From cargo-hauling e-bikes to office-friendly folders, these are the best commuter bikes for any budget and space.

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Whether riding to work, college classes, running errands, or getting the kids to school, commuter bikes play an important role in cyclists’ lives and the transit ecosystem. Some commuter bikes are simple, lightweight, and no-frills while others are heavy-duty and loaded with tech and features. There is a commuting bike for you, regardless of your riding needs or budget.

Commuter bikes fall into many bicycle categories. They are often called city, urban, commuter, cargo, utility, folding, fixed gear, or hybrids—almost any bike can be used for commuting if you want to. However, some are better suited to the task than others. And increasingly, many riders are choosing electric bikes for their commutes.

If you need to haul a ton of stuff, make a quick run for some essentials, or load up the kids and get out of the house you need the right bike. Our test team rides and reviews hundreds of bikes each year. These are some of our favorite and best-tested bikes for commuting.

Wear your protection before hitting the road or bike path. Check out our picks for the best bike lights, helmets, and light sets to strap on your next ride.

A big reason to consider Lectric’s One is its Pinion gearbox and Gates belt drive system. The Pinion is a fully enclosed gearbox unit—like an internally geared hub except mounted in the bottom bracket—that requires almost no maintenance. Typically, Pinion systems are used on bikes costing two or three times the One’s price, so finding it on a $2,300 e-bike is a big deal.

In testing, we were impressed by the Pinion system’s smoothness and precision and the hub motor’s power and torque. While the cadence sensor is an improvement over previous ones we’ve tried on Lectric bikes, it still makes pedaling the One feel disconnected from the motor. This feeling is from a combination of lag (though very slight in this case) and because the force put into the pedals does not relate to the motor’s output. Both factors result in a slightly unnatural motor response.

However, it didn’t take most test riders long to adjust to the One’s power and torque. The One is ideal for commuters who seek a dependable, low-maintenance, all-weather bike with the bells and whistles of a bike that usually costs much more.

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The Level.2 has been one of Bicycling ’s favorite e-bikes for two years. The bike combines excellent performance with great components for the price—plus it comes out of the box nearly 100% ready for commuting use. The Level is responsive and fluid and has a smooth ride for commuters and e-bike newcomers.

The Level is equipped similarly to more premium e-bike offerings. Aventon equips it with a sleek and compact display, an 8-speed Shimano Acera derailleur, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, and an excellent torque sensor. We think it’s the best e-bike Aventon currently offers, and it is ready-made for commuting.

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The best new commuter e-bike we have ridden comes from Gazelle, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commuter bikes. Plus, the company is based in a country renowned for its bicycle commuting culture and infrastructure. Dutch brand Gazelle’s new Medeo T9 City is equipped with the smooth-running Bosch Smart System Active Line mid-drive motor and outfitted with dependable Shimano drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes.

Commuter-ready out of the box, the Medeo has a MIK rear rack, aluminum fenders, and Continental tires. It even has a built-in rear wheel lock for quick coffee shop or convenience store stops. For less than $2,300, the Medeo T9 City has the features and ride quality of much more expensive e-bikes a price that is competitive with consumer-direct brands.

Cargo bikes are quickly revolutionizing cities and suburbs across North America. Long a fixture of European metropolises, modern cargo bikes have added versatility thanks to electric motors and long-range batteries. Specialized’s Globe Haul ST has you covered if you need to carry a lot of stuff. With a whopping 419-pound carrying capacity, it’s good for a range of riding tasks, from grabbing groceries to dropping your child off at daycare. (if you need to carry even more stuff or two kids, check out the Haul LT.)

Specialized designed this bike with the average commuter in mind, motivating riders to swap those short- and medium-distance car trips with a bicycle instead. The result is a well-designed short-tail cargo bike with wide 20- x 3.5-inch tires that can eat bumps while keeping you stable and low to the ground. It’s also a blast to ride.

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One of the coolest commuter bikes to recently enter Bicycling’s test fleet is Vvolt’s Centauri II. This e-bike combines sleek styling, technology, and features into a purpose-built commuter. Vvolt uses a punchy mid-drive motor paired with a 3-speed automatic shifting rear hub for a smooth feel. The brand also builds the headlight and suspension fork into the frame for a unique appearance. We are impressed by the Centauri’s smooth ride and power around town, plus it has a boost button—a feature not found on many mid-drive bikes that makes getting off the line from a stop a lot easier.

There are only a few options for hybrid e-bikes and one of the best I’ve recently tried is Velotric’s T1. This bike is sporty and quick and its handling feels similar to some road bikes. Some of that snappy ride feel is from the T1’s 350W rear hub motor, some from the road bike-like geometry, but a lot is from the weight. At 37.1 pounds, the T1 is on the light side for e-bikes and doesn’t weigh that much more than many non-assist hybrids.

Velotric also packs a slew of tech features into the T1 that you wouldn’t expect for a bike at $1,600. On the riding side, the T1 employs a torque sensor for a smooth and natural pedaling feel and a light-sensing headlamp that turns on when it gets dark. For security features, the T1 features a fingerprint lock on the bike and GPS tracking and theft alert via Velotric’s app.

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Specialized’s Turbo Vado 4.0 is one of the best commuter bikes on the market. Exceptionally well-designed—Specialized knows quite a bit about making great electric bikes—the Vado 4.0 features a SRAM NX, 11-speed drivetrain, powerful SRAM Level brakes, and an SR Suntour Mobie A32 suspension fork for a smooth feel. Power settings are adjustable via an easy-to-manage phone app, plus all of the needed accessories for commuting—rack, fenders, and lights—come standard. While the Vado is pricier than some other bikes in the class, it has a refined feel and a strong global dealer network in case of motor issues.

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We love the Specialized Sirrus X 4.0. Specialized builds its Sirrus line with solid components and highly accessible parts. This makes them easy to work with and tune when needed. While the Sirrus X 4.0 model is a slightly high-priced hybrid bike, it is one of the brand’s best bikes for commuting over potholes and gravel. It boasts the company’s proprietary Future Shock, a coil shock positioned above the head tube that provides 20mm of suspension to eat bumps and bobbling gravel, reducing rider fatigue. We deem this an upgrade due to its better-than-most components, but if the Sirrus X 4.0 is too steep for you, check out one of the brand’s other 20+ Sirrus models. You can’t go wrong with one.

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The Bad Boy is Cannondale’s fast-riding city and urban commuter. Sporting the brand’s signature Lefty fork, the Bad Boy 3 stands out from the crowd, featuring a fully blacked-out look designed to blend in. It’s an exciting mix, but works perfectly for the Bad Boy. Other features include a Shimano Altus 2x8-speed drivetrain with a wide gear range, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and 650b wheels that blend durability and speed.

With a sealed, 12-speed Pinion Gearbox (inspired by an automotive transmission system), Gates Carbon Drive belt, full-coverage aluminum fenders, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, the Priority 600 is an all-season, all-weather—not to mention low-maintenance—commuter. Head- and taillights are powered by the Dynamo hub, which also has USB-charging capabilities, and 360-degree reflective decals on the aluminum frame help the rider see and be seen. WTB Horizon 650b Road Plus tires can easily transition from smooth pavement to gravel bike paths.

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Co-op Cycles is REI’s house brand of bikes, offering some of the best value on the market. For $600, you get a lightweight aluminum frame and fork, Shimano 24-speed drivetrain, a nice Comfort Plus saddle with memory foam, and fast-rolling 700x40c tires. The CTY 1.1 is offered in two colors, five sizes for the standard frame style, and three sizes in a step-through variant.

By buying at REI, members get 20% off shop service and free tubes with purchase of flat tire repair. This is your ticket if you want a fantastic deal and a well-featured bike.

Brooklyn touts the Lorimer as a “versatile commuter bike that’s just as ideal for running errands as it is for working up a sweat on city streets.” It has a Shimano Acera 9-speed drivetrain (a user-friendly, entry-level mountain bike group often found on hybrids and commuter bikes), puncture-resistant 700x35mm tires, and a springy, double-butted chromoly steel frame and steel fork.

Comfort features include a wide, squishy saddle that fits more rear-end real estate; easy-to-use, integrated Shimano EZ Fire Plus shifters and brake levers; and Brooklyn Bicycle Co.-branded parts like a flat bar, flat alloy pedals and comfy ergo grips. You won’t find fenders, racks, or a kickstand on this bike—then again, you won’t find these features on most bikes at this price—but all the eyelets exist should you choose to add stuff later. It’s a cool, reliable commuter that won’t shy away from unforeseen challenges and that’s happiest on pavement, hard-packed gravel paths, and park loops.

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The Ace is Priority’s fixie with a touch of class. It’s designed for commuters who like a little pep in their daily ride but aren’t fans of bike maintenance. Recreational-focused riders will do fine with the easier gear ratio and budget-friendly parts of the Ace of Clubs. Performance-minded riders will appreciate the Ace of Spades for its carbon fork and seatpost, and higher gear ratio.

Both models feature a flip-flop hub with a cassette body and fixed thread that lets you easily swap between fixed and freewheel cogs with a standard bottom bracket tool. And all adult Priority models use a quieter, cleaner, less-mess Gates belt drive instead of a traditional chain and cassette. A 680mm-wide, flat handlebar and 28mm WTB ThickSlick tires round out this clean-looking, stylish city fixie.

Can we say a lot about the Liberté? For the price, yes. At less than $500, you can grab this 20-inch wheel foldable bike equipped with a decent Shimano 11-32T 8-speed cassette, solid wheel, and an adjustable stem—all in a compact package. It’s agile and packs down easily, making it excellent for commuters who take public transit or live in tight spaces. Best of all, it’s only 23 pounds; it is lightweight given its price compared to other foldables in this category. (This is half the price of the Dahon Mariner D8 and two-thirds of the weight.) This bike is frequently on sale at BJ’s and Amazon. If you need a small bike for your space and commute, consider the Liberté, or, the even cheaper Campo model.

Bicycling has been a leading voice in the bike industry for decades, delivering insightful, trustworthy reviews and in-depth knowledge to cycling enthusiasts of all levels. We have a long history of guiding readers through the ever-evolving cycling landscape, and our writers and editors are not only experts but also passionate riders.

Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy commutes to the office daily by bike, testing dozens of electric and standard models each year. Before joining Bicycling, she led product development at several bicycle companies during her career. Additionally, she gets input from other Bicycling staff, including Philadelphia-based test editor Dan Chabanov who regularly rides and reviews urban, cargo, and commuter models on the unforgiving streets of Pennyslvania’s biggest city.

There is no one type of commute or commuter nor a singular type of commuter bike. It used to be that a typical city bike had upright geometry, flat pedals, minimal gearing, skinny tires, and a relatively comfortable seat. But thanks to new technology and a greater demand to live a two-wheeled lifestyle, the category of commuter bikes is sprawling.

The right commuter bike for you depends on the size of your city, the types of roads (or lack thereof), the length of your commute, how much cargo you plan to haul, your budget, whether or not your commute is multimodal, what your idea of “maintenance” means, how quickly you need to get from A to B, and your fitness level.

But, to simplify your choice: Consider a road bike or fixed-gear bike if you’re riding on flat pavement and well-maintained roads. Opt for a hybrid or gravel bike if you frequently encounter debris, branches, potholes, and rocks.

For this list, we focused on two frame materials: aluminum and steel. Aluminum is typically lightweight, sturdy, and stiff, while steel is heavy, flexible, and can take a beating.

Carbon and titanium frames are more expensive and lightweight, but for most commuters, we think it’s better to opt for aluminum and steel—not all commutes have to feel like race day, and expensive frames are more sought after by thieves.

While a $6,000 custom commuter bike might make you starry-eyed, plenty of sub-$1,000 possibilities may fit your needs. And while a $500 city bike is easier on the wallet, it might not offer the best features for longer commutes or those with mixed terrain.

Our experienced testers spent many hours and miles using each of these bikes for their intended purpose. We’ve commuted to and from work on them, used them to run errands, put their passenger-hauling capability to work, ridden them during rush hour traffic, loaded them up with groceries and beer, tested how easily folding bikes fold (and ride), and run the e-bikes’ batteries down to officially see how long they last on one charge.

We evaluate bikes on performance, price, comfort, handling, value, reliability, fun, and aesthetic appeal to come up with this list of bikes that will best serve the needs of anyone looking to get from point A to point B quickly, efficiently, comfortably, and in style.

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.

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