This one is pretty self explanatory. Any bike that has a stand-over height of 20 inches or less, would be considered for this category. There are some exceptions, but this is the basic requirement for us to consider a bike a true "step-though".
The Defender is purpose built for RV owners! It features an electronic anti-theft device with a loud alarm, is fully rust-proof and highly water resistant, and it's a very versatile e-bike that will perform well in just about any riding situation. Tackle off-road trails with the large (but still nimble) tires and suspension fork. Run errands in town with a rear rack, fenders, and integrated lighting. With an upgraded pedaling drivetrain and responsive torque sensor, the Defender is a ton of fun to ride and it's also adjustable to fit a fairly wide range of rider sizes.
Rad Power Bikes has finally added a trike to their lineup! They've put their own spin on it too; most trikes are big and bulky, but the RadTrike is relatively compact and just 33" wide which fits through standard sized doors. It can carry up to 415 pounds of weight, although - unlike most trikes - it doesn't include any cargo baskets, but you can pay extra for some at checkout (or attach your own). The drivetrain is a simple single speed, so you'll be relying on the motor quite a bit, with both pedal-assist and throttle drive modes. The RadTrike is also limited to a top speed of 14mph, lower than most trikes at 20mph... but if you've ever ridden a trike you know you probably don't want to go much over 14mph anyways. Other unique touches include the backrest-equipped seat, reverse throttle mode, and a coaster brake in the right rear wheel. Don't worry, there's also a mechanical disc brake in the front wheel!
Rad Power Bikes may not have created the first compact utility e-bike, but one could argue that they've perfected it with their RadRunner series. A short wheelbase, 20" wheels, a heavy-duty rear rack, and upright seating position combine for an electric bike that can do just about anything while providing impressive comfort. Rather than having a bolt-on rear rack, it's actually part of the frame, essentially a long-tail cargo frame, but shorter. This allows carrying much more cargo - even a human passenger - with an overall weight limit of 350 pounds. It's easy to mount and dismount too, thanks to the low standover height of the step-thru frame. The 750-watt rear hub motor is plenty powerful even under heavy loads, and you can reach speeds of 20mph on either the throttle or cadence-based pedal assist.
One of the standout features of the RadRunner series is accessorizing; Rad Power Bikes has dozens upon dozens of official accessories that you can add at checkout. Of course, this can quickly drive the price to the point you won't feel like you're buying a value-priced bike anymore... but if it empowers you to replace your car with a decked-out RadRunner, it just might be worth it.
Vintage Vibes Done Right! Weighing in at less than 45 pounds, the aptly-named Ultralight is an electric bike you can carry or load on a standard bike rack with ease, making it a great fit for campers and RVers. With stealthily integrated electronics this classic ride will easily pass for a regular bicycle, meaning you can worry less when locking it up in public places. This is a Class 1 e-bike which means no throttle, but who needs a throttle when you have such a fun-to-ride torque sensor?
Lectric took the e-bike world by storm with their first XP model back in 2019 and they've been steadily improving the product line ever since! The XP 3.0 is the latest and greatest version with upgrades that include a quieter and more powerful motor, hydraulic brakes, and more, with an amazingly low price point of $999 USD. You still get the usual rack, fenders, and lighting system, and yes, it still folds down for easier storage and transportation.
The Blaupunkt Henri is rocking a magnesium alloy frame & wheels, which is durable, lightweight, and vibration damping. It folds down small which is great for storage, with a magnetic latch mechanism to keep it locked in the folded position, making it fairly easy to maneuver and roll around while folded. The 350-watt motor is no speed demon but still capable of 20mph speeds using either pedal assist or the half-grip twist throttle. It's priced a bit on the high side... but it does seem to be built very well and should hold up well over time, and it certainly looks beautiful!
The second iteration of Aventon's Sinch has changed so much that I hesitate to even consider it the same model. It's step-through now, it's got a rack and fenders, more advanced lighting, a telescoping stem, a torque sensor... but what the heck, it's the Sinch.2! It is still a fat-tired folding bike on 20x4" fat tires, and even more of a blast to ride thanks to that torque sensor. The basic suspension fork allows for comfortable riding in the city and on light trails, but it doesn't have a ton of travel so don't get too crazy. Another benefit of the new frame is that it's a lot easier to remove the battery; on the previous Sinch you had to fold the bike first before exposing the battery, which was inconvenient.
Really the only downside for the Sinch.2 is the brakes; they're good quality disc brakes, but they're mechanical as opposed to hydraulic. That means they take more grip force to activate, and they'll need occasional maintenance to tighten up the cables. For a bike that weights roughly 70 pounds and can carry up to 300 pounds of rider and cargo, hydraulic brakes would be a real plus.
I never know what to expect when people switch industries to start making electric bikes. E-bikes are hot right now and everyone wants a piece of the pie! However, in the case of motorcycle racer Eric Buell, the resulting e-bikes are simply excellent. I got to test ride a prototype of the 3S in the summer of '23 and even though it was a little rough around the edges I was blown away by the quality. These bikes have mid-drive motors from VALEO, a French company I hadn't heard of before. I love these motors! They're incredibly powerful and their responsiveness rivals that of high-end Bosch systems; they have an "auto mode" that intelligently adjusts not only the motor power output (which is fairly common) but also automatically shifts the gears of the internal hub. It's an incredibly elegant system; just turn on the bike and ride, and never fiddle with controls. Electronics aside these are kitted out to motorcycle specifications with surprisingly bright lights and a full suite of signaling controls, plus the usual fenders and sturdy rear rack, and even a rearview mirror!
If you want a trike that's ready for some heavy duty hauling then the 4|2 Rickshaw is definitely worth checking out. Load it up with up to 500 pounds of cargo or passengers; the passenger seat is even rocking two seatbelts for safe transportation! Oh Wow Cycles uses advanced rear wheel differentials on all their trikes, which means that the rear wheels can turn at different speeds, allowing the Rickshaw to corner pretty darn well... for a trike, anyways. Fat tires and a suspension fork provide comfort and you'll feel good riding anywhere a trike has business riding. Like all trikes the hub motor is in the front wheel which can feel a bit weird at first, but you get used to it, and when the Rickshaw is fully loaded down you shouldn't notice any wheel slip when accelerating.
Value packed is the name of the game for the E-TORQUE, a feature-complete budget-friendly commuter from EUNORAU. "Feature Complete" means it's got everything you need to use it for it's intended purpose of city commuting: Lights, signals, fenders, sturdy rear rack, and basic suspension are all included at no extra cost. You may have guessed from the name that the E-TORQUE is indeed equipped with a satisfyingly responsive torque sensor, which provides a better riding experience than the cadence sensors which are common at this budget price range. Plus EUNORAU has an excellent warranty and hundreds of dealers around the world!
The Reindeer is a well balanced utility bike, choosing to be good at a lot of things without putting too many points in one skillset. It is equipped with a sturdy rack, fenders, and integrated lights - plus good visibility from reflective sidewall striping - so it's ready to hit city streets as a commuter. The fat tires combined with a front suspension fork provide good comfort for long rides and exploring trails, but you should invest in some puncture protection as the tires don't include any by default. This is a Class 2/3 hybrid with both throttle and pedal assist with a top speed of 28mph.
Lot's of modern e-bikes have a dual battery option for a lot of extra cheddar, but the HAOQI Antelope Cargo has two included by default! That allows for some serious range of between 40 and 80 miles depending on how much you're pushing the motor, but take that with a grain of salt as we haven't actually tested it ourselves yet. The Antelope Cargo is a thick-framed step through with 20x4" fat tires and a full set of commuting must haves; lights, fenders, and all that jazz. This style of e-bike has been wildly popular in 2023, though one thing that sets the Antelope Cargo apart is the very high carrying capacity of 400 pounds, due in part to the extremely sturdy cast alloy wheels. That combined with the dual battery setup will definitely make this an attractive e-bike for delivery drivers!