Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra

What the Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra is built for

The Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra is a commuter e-bike, built for daily rides to work, errands and city streets.

It has a 500 W (900 W peak) mid-drive motor, 120 Nm of torque and a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h).

It carries a 720 Wh removable battery and a stated range of up to 70 miles (113 km) on a charge. Real-world range is usually lower than the rated figure: it falls with throttle use, hills, cold weather, rider weight and higher assist levels.

The Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra weighs 71 lb (32 kg), carries up to 260 lb (118 kg) including the rider, has front suspension, uses a torque sensor, so the motor responds to how hard you pedal and is rated IP65 against water.

In the United States the Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra sells for $3,599, above the median of $1,499 across 230 commuter e-bikes with a US price, among the premium models. That is $5 per watt-hour of battery.

Where the Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra may be ridden

In the European Union and the United Kingdom an e-bike counts as a bicycle only within the pedelec limits; as specified, its 500 W motor is above the 250 W limit, its 20 mph (32 km/h) top speed is above the 25 km/h at which assistance must stop and its throttle moves it without pedalling, which the pedelec rules allow only as start-up help at walking pace. A model above those limits is treated as a moped there, with type approval, registration and insurance, unless the brand sells a version set to the European limits.

Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra safety certification

The brand states that the Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra is certified to UL 2271 and UL 2849.

UL 2271 is the US safety standard for the battery pack of a light electric vehicle.

UL 2849 is the US safety standard for the whole electrical system of an e-bike: battery, charger, motor and controller tested together.

New York City allows only e-bikes certified to UL 2849, with batteries certified to UL 2271, to be sold or rented there; California requires e-bike batteries to meet UL 2849 or EN 15194 from 2026.