The electric bicycle might seem like a futuristic invention, but they were introduced to the world just before 1900. In 1881, the Trouve Tricycle was patented by Gustave Trouve, who wanted to experiment with electric propulsion. Originally, it was a lever-drive but was updated to a rotary-pedal drive by the factory.
Fourteen years later, in 1895, the history of electric bikes started to get interesting. This was the year the direct-drive rear hub-motor was patented. It used a permanent-magnet direct-current to function, and we use a similar component today because it can be powered at a high-watt level.
1896 saw a patent filed by Charles Theryc, which used a brushed planetary-geared hub-motor. In the same year, James O’Brien built a bicycle which had a motor under the seat and a woven silk belt driving the rear wheel. This belt rotated the rear wheel hub, helping the rider to gain more power while cycling.
In 1897, Hossea W. Libbey invented the first true electric bicycle. It was powered by a double electric motor and was reinvented more than once afterwards. This led up to the creation of the modern electric bikes we have today.