Suddenly everyone around me has one: an electric bike. The stuffy image has completely disappeared and the electric bike seems to be knocking the trendy scooter off its throne. Healthier for people and the environment, no helmet needed, cheaper to buy and use, and the choice is huge.

But that immediately brings a problem with it, because which bike suits you? There is a lot of difference between all the bikes. You have them with an open chain guard (which are cheaper but require more maintenance) or with a closed one (so more expensive and less maintenance). With one battery you can ride 300 kilometers, with the other 180, one bike has a sporty seating position and the other more of a ‘traditional’ upright seat.

I can imagine that it is quite difficult to find your ideal bike. But there is a solution. The site of the Consumers' Association.

They have compared the major brands with each other and (100 percent independent) tested the bikes on various components. How is the bike in daily use? Is the battery easy to remove and easy and quick to charge? Is the display clearly visible, etc.? They have tested various e-bikes and you can easily find the best electric bike think.

What I found very handy is the choice assistance app where you ultimately arrive at your ideal e-bike through a 'question tree'. And what turned out? My bike, a Gazelle Chamonix, turned out to be the perfect bike for my wishes. Nice to know. But if someone in my area is considering buying an electric bike and wants the best advice, I refer them to the Consumers' Association.