For a lot of riders, the hardest part of an electric bike happens before the wheels ever turn. It is the moment you have to lift a leg high over the frame, balance on one foot, and hope the bike does not tip while you settle onto the seat. That single motion keeps more people off bikes than almost any other factor. It is the reason a would-be rider looks at an e-bike, likes everything about it, and still walks away.
The good news is that getting on and off does not have to be a barrier. Frame design has come a long way, and a handful of models are now built specifically around the idea that mounting and dismounting should feel effortless and safe. This guide looks closely at three of the easiest electric bikes to get on and off that sixthreezero currently makes: the Simple Step-Thru 20\", the Simple Step-Thru 26\", and the Relaxed Body 20\". Each one solves the access problem in its own way, and each one suits a slightly different rider.
By the end, you should have a clear sense of which design fits your body, your riding habits, and your comfort priorities, along with a straightforward technique for getting on and off any of them with confidence.
When most people shop for an electric bike, they focus on the specs that photograph well: motor wattage, top speed, battery range, tire size. Those numbers matter, but they describe what happens once you are already riding. They say nothing about the first and last few seconds of every trip, which is precisely where a lot of riders run into trouble.
Consider what a traditional diamond-frame bike actually asks of you. To mount it, you plant one foot, shift your weight, and swing the other leg up and over a high top tube while the bike is stationary and unsupported. To dismount, you reverse the process, often while the bike is still rolling slightly. For a young, flexible rider in athletic clothing, none of this registers as difficult. For a rider with reduced hip mobility, a recent surgery, arthritis, balance concerns, or simply less flexibility than they had a decade ago, that leg swing is a genuine obstacle, and sometimes a hazard.
The physical challenge of swinging a leg over a frame is real, but the deeper issue is confidence. When a rider is not sure they can get on and off cleanly, that uncertainty colors the entire experience. They hesitate at stop signs. They avoid busy intersections where they might need to plant a foot quickly. They stop riding in places that require frequent stopping and starting, which is to say, most of the places people actually want to ride.
A low, open frame removes that hesitation. When you can step through the bike rather than climb over it, and when you can put both feet flat on the ground the moment you stop, the whole ride changes character. You are no longer managing the bike; you are simply riding it. That shift from managing to riding is the single biggest reason accessible frames matter.
There is a practical payoff that follows directly from confidence: people who find a bike easy to use ride it more often. A bike that feels like a small production to get on tends to stay in the garage. A bike you can step onto without a second thought becomes part of your daily routine, the thing you grab for a quick errand, a loop around the neighborhood, or a ride down to meet friends.
This is where an accessible frame and electric assistance reinforce each other. The low frame removes the barrier to getting started, and the motor removes the barrier to keeping going. Together they turn cycling from an occasional effort into a dependable, repeatable habit, which is exactly what makes it good for both mobility and quality of life.
\"Easy to mount\" is not a single feature. It is the result of several design decisions working together. Understanding them will help you read any e-bike's geometry and judge for yourself how accessible it really is, rather than taking a marketing line at face value.
The most important number is the height of the lowest point you have to clear to get your body over the frame. On a true step-through design, this is the step-through height, measured at the low dip in the frame where you walk through. The lower this number, the less you have to lift your leg. On frames with a modest bar still in place, the equivalent measurement is often called the step-over height.
To put this in perspective, a traditional frame can ask you to clear well over 20 inches. A well-designed step-through frame brings that down dramatically. As you will see below, one of the bikes in this guide has a step-through height of just 9 inches, which is about as low as the category gets. A few inches may not sound like much on paper, but in terms of hip flexion and balance, the difference between clearing 9 inches and clearing 20 is enormous.
The second piece is where the pedals sit relative to the seat. On sixthreezero's comfort geometry, the pedals are positioned forward of where they would sit on a traditional frame. This forward pedaling design lets you keep the seat low to the ground while still getting a full, healthy leg extension when you pedal.
The payoff shows up every time you stop. Because the seat sits low, you can plant both feet flat on the ground while remaining seated. You do not have to slide forward off the saddle and tiptoe to reach the pavement. That flat-footed stability at a standstill is one of the most reassuring things a bike can offer, especially in traffic, on a slope, or anywhere you need to stop and start repeatedly.
The third piece is riding position. An upright geometry keeps your back straight, your shoulders relaxed, and your head up, which reduces strain on the wrists, neck, and lower back and keeps you visually aware of your surroundings. It is the opposite of the hunched, aggressive posture of a road bike, and it is far better suited to relaxed neighborhood and path riding.
Adjustability ties everything together. Handlebars that raise and lower, and a seat that moves fore and aft, mean the same frame can be dialed in for a petite rider or a tall one. On the models here, the handlebars can be raised so that taller riders keep their arms comfortably out in front rather than reaching down, and the seat position can be fine-tuned so the fit feels natural rather than compromised.
","heading":"","layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{}},{"id":"b9da3161-cfed-45f5-9e99-fe220fb88897","bikes":[{"id":"aae58898-27a8-4aa1-9170-e9d7f8245c84","value":{"entry":{"entryId":"7P23MGHpVrdwBPtmDIqrv"}}},{"id":"253941ac-a831-4a4f-9dd2-d6cf2eea311e","value":{"entry":{"entryId":"7jRRwLlfK2oShgK5CcIVxD"}}}],"layoutId":"bike-listing","variants":{}},{"id":"cf10ae10-b5f2-46d9-9c9b-534ae952e8d0","body":"The Simple Step-Thru 20\" is the model to beat when the single most important thing is getting on and off with as little effort as possible. Its headline feature is a step-through height of just 9 inches, which is the lowest sixthreezero has put on any e-bike. In practice, that means you do not swing a leg over anything. You simply step through the open frame, walk into position, and slide onto the seat.
This is worth dwelling on because it changes the instinct most riders bring to a bike. Many people automatically reach to swing a leg over the back, because that is how bikes have always worked. With a frame this open, that instinct becomes unnecessary. You can face the bike, step one foot through the low center of the frame, and be seated in a single, stable motion, both hands on the bars the whole time.
Underneath the friendly frame is a capable drivetrain. The Simple Step-Thru 20\" runs a 500-watt rear hub motor, which delivers smooth, confident acceleration and enough torque to handle hills and headwinds without drama. You can ride it under full motor power using the twist throttle, or use pedal assist to add your own effort and extend your range. Top speed lands at up to 20 miles per hour, which is plenty for neighborhood streets, bike paths, and the kind of relaxed cruising this bike is built for.
Range on a full charge reaches up to roughly 50 miles depending on how much you rely on the motor, how hilly your route is, and how much you pedal. For the daily reality of most riders, quick errands, a ride to a café, a loop through the park, that is far more than a single outing requires, so you spend your time riding rather than worrying about the battery.
The 20-inch wheels do more than keep the bike nimble. They keep the whole package compact, which makes the Simple Step-Thru 20\" easy to store in a small apartment, tuck into a garage corner, or load into a car for a ride somewhere new. If storage space or transport is part of your equation, the smaller wheel size is a genuine advantage.
There is one trade-off worth understanding. Smaller wheels cover a little less ground per pedal stroke than larger wheels, so if you plan to do a lot of riding with the motor off, purely under your own power, the larger-wheeled 26-inch version will feel more efficient. On the 20-inch model, the electric assist comfortably makes up the difference, and for riders who will use pedal assist or the throttle most of the time, the compactness is well worth it.
This is the pick for riders who put ease of access and easy storage at the top of the list: seniors who want the most forgiving frame available, shorter or petite riders who appreciate a low, manageable bike, apartment dwellers with limited space, and anyone returning to cycling after a long break who wants the least intimidating way back in. It also adjusts to fit a wide range of heights, so it is not only a small-rider bike.
","heading":"","layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{}},{"id":"86609260-fd1c-4787-b9e2-69d47350316a","image":{"assetId":"1gUxvxJgfm7LOBhmj3Nxid","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{}},{"id":"69171ddf-9881-43ee-ac6d-f348c696784c","body":"The Simple Step-Thru 26\" takes the same accessible philosophy and applies it to a larger, more traditional bike. Its step-over height is 11 inches, only two inches more than the 20-inch model, so you still step through and slide onto the seat rather than climbing over a high bar. The gain in exchange for those two inches is the ride quality of a full-size 26-inch wheel.
For riders who want an e-bike that feels like the bikes they grew up with, this is the sweet spot. The larger wheels roll over bumps, cracks, and path debris more smoothly, carry momentum better, and feel more planted at speed. If your riding leans toward longer path rides, trail cruising, or covering real distance, the 26-inch wheel is the more natural companion.
Mechanically, the 26-inch shares the heart of the 20-inch: a 500-watt rear hub motor and the same easy, ergonomic riding position. The difference is entirely in geometry and wheel size, not in power delivery. You get the same twist-throttle-or-pedal-assist flexibility and the same upright, comfortable posture, wrapped in a frame that behaves more like a classic cruiser.
The larger wheels also mean that pedaling without the motor feels more efficient than it does on the 20-inch. If you like the idea of leaving the assist off for stretches and getting a real ride in, the 26-inch rewards that. When you want the boost back, it is a twist or a pedal stroke away.
Choose the 26-inch if you want easy mounting without giving up the feel of a traditional bicycle, if you ride longer distances or on paths and light trails, or if you are a taller rider who simply prefers a larger frame under them. It is the natural choice for riders who value the classic ride but still want a frame that does not demand a high leg swing. Taller riders in particular can explore how it fits alongside the rest of the step-through e-bike models.
","heading":"","layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{}},{"id":"419bfa7a-f736-4f78-a951-0d6d27577c4c","image":{"assetId":"1CF0Z46WQJHshL55B3PGnc","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{}},{"id":"122b1ca1-9937-4087-8c87-2c24d317c68d","body":"Two inches of step-over height is the entire trade between a compact, easy-to-store ride and the smooth, familiar feel of a full-size wheel. Neither is wrong; they simply fit different riders.
Before we get to the most distinctive model of the three, here is a side-by-side look at how they compare on the features that matter most for accessibility and everyday riding.
","heading":"","layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{}},{"id":"52256853-dade-4359-9594-b15d69145a9e","image":{"assetId":"109eFZMwW0IIhEADHkpkmN","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{}},{"id":"292d3fa6-a416-402d-8fb3-a2efe89154c4","body":"The Relaxed Body 20\" is the most distinctive of the three, and for some riders it will be the clear winner. Where the two Simple Step-Thru models adapt a familiar bike layout to be more accessible, the Relaxed Body rethinks the whole seating experience. It pairs a forward pedaling design with an office-chair-style seat, complete with a supportive backrest, that is closer to sitting in a comfortable chair than perching on a saddle.
That seat is the headline. For riders who find even a well-cushioned bicycle saddle uncomfortable, or who want back support on longer sits, the office-chair seat is a revelation. Combined with the forward pedaling position, it lets you sit back, extend your legs naturally to the pedals, and stay comfortable for as long as you want to ride.
The Relaxed Body's step-over height sits a little higher than the 26-inch model, but the bike offers a mounting method the others do not, and it may be the easiest of all. The armrest lifts up out of the way. With it raised, you can simply sit down onto the seat as you would into a chair, then bring your leg over into riding position. If you prefer, you can still step through the frame the conventional way, but the sit-down-first approach is what makes this bike so approachable for riders with significant mobility limitations.
This is a meaningful distinction. Every other easy-mount strategy still asks you to support your own balance while you get a leg across. The Relaxed Body lets you get your full weight onto a stable, supported seat first, and only then position your legs. For riders for whom balance is the primary concern, that sequence can make all the difference.
The Relaxed Body leans fully into its role as a comfort and mobility machine. It rides on 3-inch-wide 20-inch tires that add cushioning and stability, smoothing out rough pavement and giving the bike a planted, secure feel. Those wider tires do add rolling resistance, so pedaling without assistance is harder than on the Simple Step-Thru models; this is a bike designed to be ridden with the electric assist engaged.
To that end, it gives you two ways to call on the motor. Alongside the twist throttle, it adds a thumb throttle, so you can engage full electric power and let the bike carry you with no pedaling at all. That makes it a true mobility option: ultra-comfortable, stable, and able to move you along entirely under motor power when you want it to. It is a natural fit for riders who might otherwise be looking at electric trikes for seniors for the same reasons of comfort and stability.
This is the bike for riders whose top priority is comfort and supported seating, for anyone who finds a standard saddle uncomfortable, and for those who want the option of riding under full motor power with a backrest behind them. If a conventional bike has always felt like a compromise, the Relaxed Body may be the model that finally fits. Riders weighing it against three-wheel options can also look at the full range of electric tricycles to compare stability approaches.
","heading":"","layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{}},{"id":"1eac6401-695c-45cb-bec5-73217ec890b2","image":{"assetId":"4ihElXPfHhme48j4MVJ6ee","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{}},{"id":"1f53d660-45aa-46b5-91ae-4b678c5b49e1","body":"All three bikes are genuinely easy to get on and off, so the decision is less about which is \"easiest\" and more about matching the design to your body, your routes, and what you want the ride to feel like. Three questions will get you most of the way there.
If your main concern is the leg swing and you want the lowest, most forgiving frame, the 9-inch step-through on the Simple Step-Thru 20\" is the answer. If balance at a standstill is your bigger worry, the Relaxed Body's sit-down-first mounting and supportive seat may serve you better. If you have reasonable mobility and mainly want easy access without a fully reinvented bike, the 26-inch gives you that with a traditional feel.
For short neighborhood loops, errands, and rides where you will lean on the motor, either 20-inch bike is ideal, and the Simple Step-Thru 20\" wins on portability. For longer path rides, more distance, and stretches where you want to pedal efficiently under your own power, the 26-inch wheel is the better tool. The Relaxed Body is built for comfortable, assisted cruising rather than long unassisted efforts.
If a supportive, chair-like seat with a backrest is what would keep you riding, the Relaxed Body is in a class of its own. If you are happy with a wide, cushioned traditional saddle and value a lighter, simpler bike, the Simple Step-Thru models deliver comfort without the extra bulk. There is no wrong answer here, only the one that matches how you want to feel on the ride. Browsing the broader comfort e-bike collection can help you see where each fits.
A good frame does most of the work, but a consistent technique makes any of these bikes feel even more secure. The approach is the same whether you are stepping through a Simple Step-Thru or settling into the Relaxed Body.
Start by standing beside or in front of the bike with both hands on the handlebars and the brakes lightly engaged so the bike cannot roll. On the step-through models, step one foot through the low center of the frame rather than swinging it over the back, and let yourself settle onto the seat while your hands stay on the bars. On the Relaxed Body, lift the armrest, sit down onto the seat first, and then bring your leg into position. In both cases, the key is to keep the bike still and your hands in control throughout.
To get off, come to a complete stop, keep the brakes held, plant both feet flat on the ground, and then step your leg back through the frame or, on the Relaxed Body, lift the armrest and rise as you would from a chair. Because the low seat height lets you reach the ground flat-footed while still seated, you are never balancing on tiptoe during the most vulnerable moment of the ride. Practice the motion a few times in a driveway or empty lot before heading out, and it will quickly become second nature.
It is easy to talk about step-through heights and forward pedaling in the abstract. What brings the benefit to life is picturing the ordinary moments where an accessible frame quietly does its job. These are the situations that decide whether a bike gets ridden or gets parked.
You need a few things from the store a mile away. On a traditional bike, that short trip involves swinging a leg over, riding, dismounting at the shop, mounting again with a bag or two in tow, and dismounting once more at home. Four leg swings for one errand. On a low-step frame, each of those becomes a simple step-through, even with a full basket, so the errand stays quick and pleasant instead of turning into a small ordeal. This is exactly the use case where a compact commuter e-bike earns its keep.
Riding through a neighborhood or a town center means frequent stops: traffic lights, crosswalks, other people. Each stop is a moment where you need to plant a foot quickly and confidently. Because the low seat height on these bikes lets you stay seated and put both feet flat on the ground, every stop is stable and unhurried. You are not doing a small balancing act at each intersection, which makes busy areas far less stressful and much safer.
Perhaps the most common scenario of all is the rider who has not been on a bike in years and is not sure their body will cooperate. The hesitation is usually about that first mount, the fear of not being able to get on gracefully or safely. An open frame removes the fear at the exact point it lives. Step through, sit down, and the rest comes back naturally, with the motor there to smooth out anything your legs are not ready for yet. For many people, an accessible electric bike is the difference between thinking about riding again and actually doing it.
Even riders in good physical shape benefit from easy access on the days it matters: riding in everyday clothes rather than athletic gear, riding when a knee is sore, riding at the end of a long day when energy is low. Accessibility is not only for those who need it every time; it is a margin of comfort that everyone draws on eventually. A frame that is easy on your hardest day is a frame that stays useful for years.
","heading":"","layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{}},{"id":"f7ce6bd0-d1f2-4d56-b856-f4c7398cf7d2","image":{"assetId":"1CxfWRfgRut1bxy2fvrtsJ","options":{"backgroundSize":"cover"},"mobileAssetId":"","mobileOptions":{"backgroundSize":"cover"}},"layoutId":"full-width-image-with-out-bleed","variants":{}},{"id":"6ff12992-4696-4a9a-862a-00eccb055acd","body":"Beyond their individual strengths, the three bikes have a common foundation that makes each one safe and comfortable in daily use.
● Reliable stopping power. All three come with mechanical disc brakes, which provide confident, consistent stopping whether you are heading downhill or riding on flat ground. Dependable braking is a safety feature in its own right, and it matters just as much as easy mounting.
● A 500-watt motor with throttle and pedal assist. Each bike lets you choose how much you contribute. Ride under full motor power, add your effort with pedal assist to extend range, or, on the Simple Step-Thru models, pedal without the motor when you feel like it.
● An upright, comfortable riding position. The ergonomic geometry keeps your posture relaxed and your sightlines high, reducing strain and improving awareness in traffic.
● Adjustability for different bodies. Raise the handlebars for taller riders, fine-tune the seat position, and dial in a fit that feels natural rather than compromised.
● Flat-footed stability at stops. The low seat height lets you keep both feet on the ground while seated, which is the foundation of confident stopping and starting.
If you want to see how these three sit within the wider range, the full electric bikes for seniors collection and the complete step-through e-bike lineup are good places to compare frames, wheel sizes, and features side by side. Riders focused on comfort or on commuter-friendly e-bikes will find related options there as well.
Step-through height refers to the lowest point of the frame you walk through on a true open, step-through design; it is the number that tells you how little you have to lift your leg. Step-over height describes the equivalent measurement on a frame that still has a modest bar in place. On both the Simple Step-Thru models here, that number is very low, 9 inches on the 20-inch and 11 inches on the 26-inch, which is why they are so easy to mount.
It depends on where your difficulty lies. If the leg swing is the problem, the Simple Step-Thru 20\" and its 9-inch step-through frame is the most forgiving. If keeping your balance while mounting is the concern, the Relaxed Body 20\" may be easier still, because you can raise the armrest, sit down onto the seat first, and only then position your legs, so you are never balancing on one foot.
No. Each bike has a throttle that lets you ride under full motor power without pedaling at all. You can also use pedal assist, where the motor supplements your own effort, or, on the Simple Step-Thru models, pedal with the motor off like a traditional bike. The Relaxed Body adds a thumb throttle alongside the twist throttle, making it especially easy to ride entirely on motor power.
Not at all. They are popular with seniors because the accessible frames solve real problems, but the same features, easy mounting, flat-footed stops, and upright comfort, appeal to first-time riders, shorter and taller riders, people returning to cycling, and anyone who simply wants a relaxed, low-stress ride. The frames adjust to fit a wide range of heights, so they are genuinely all-ages bikes. You can see how they sit among options for shorter riders and taller riders across the range.
The Simple Step-Thru models reach up to roughly 50 miles on a full charge, though real-world range depends on how much you use the motor versus pedaling, the terrain, rider weight, and conditions. For the everyday riding most people do, that is well beyond a single outing, so range is rarely the limiting factor.
You are covered by a 30-day test-ride policy, so you can ride the bike for the first month and return it if it is not a fit. Every bike also carries a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Between the two, you can commit to a model with the reassurance that you are not locked in before you have ridden it in your own environment.
Choosing a bike you cannot swing a leg over easily is a personal decision, and it helps to know you are not locked in before you have felt the bike underneath you. sixthreezero backs these models with a few things that take the risk out of the choice.
There is a 30-day test-ride policy: ride your e-bike for the first month, and if it is not right for you, send it back with no questions asked. You can read the specifics of the 30-day test ride policy directly, and if you would rather try before you buy in person, you can also visit the store to ride the bikes yourself.
Every bike is also covered by a one-year warranty on parts and labor, so if something goes wrong in the first year, it is taken care of. The full terms are laid out on the warranty page. And because buying a bike is easier when you can talk to people who already ride one, there is an active community of thousands of riders worth joining before you decide, along with a ride-tracking app you can download here once your bike arrives.
If you want to go deeper on any single model, including detailed measurements, seat heights, and fit guidance for your body, the sixthreezero bike advice blog has model-specific breakdowns that pick up where this overview leaves off.
","heading":"","layoutId":"paragraph-section","variants":{}},{"id":"3c70449d-c60e-4d9d-89d3-7fb1e077ba78","bikes":[{"id":"4f871dd0-3174-4d9a-b47e-98f85c98cd23","value":{"entry":{"entryId":"4QwJRUg1He7eWIMJRZ7iZX"}}},{"id":"0f83e39a-57c9-4e67-8c8e-fa698e6b9a8f","value":{"entry":{"entryId":"34rwNRVbD7IvBM92mD3Pun"}}}],"layoutId":"bike-listing","variants":{}},{"id":"338fdb77-2aae-4a9f-9262-51658961f66c","body":"The best e-bike for you is not the one with the biggest numbers on the spec sheet. It is the one you can get on and off without a second thought, the one that feels safe when you stop at a busy corner, and the one that is easy enough to use that you keep reaching for it. For a great many riders, that means an accessible, low-step frame with electric assist doing the heavy lifting.
The Simple Step-Thru 20\" makes getting on and off as easy as it gets and stores almost anywhere. The Simple Step-Thru 26\" delivers that same easy access with the smooth, familiar feel of a full-size bike. And the Relaxed Body 20\" reinvents comfort with an office-chair seat and a sit-down-first mount that removes balance from the equation entirely. Different riders, different needs, three genuinely easy answers.
Whichever one fits your body and your routes, the goal is the same: to make riding feel simple, safe, and something you look forward to. Because in the end, it is your journey and your experience. Enjoy the ride.
Disclaimer
Product specifications, pricing, availability, and policies are subject to change. Figures such as motor power, battery capacity, top speed, and range are approximate and vary with rider weight, terrain, and riding conditions. Please confirm current specifications, warranty terms, and the test-ride policy on the official sixthreezero product and policy pages before purchasing.
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