Dutch Style: Top 5 Classic Step-Through E-Bikes 2025

Your Guide to the Best Dutch-Style E-Bikes of 2025

The Holland Electric Bike is our symbol of comfort, convenience, and cool for rolling through town. These neutral, always reliable bikes are a favorite among casual cyclists thanks to their upright seating position and user-friendly designs for daily riding. With each generation of technology, the class of 2025 is more powerful than they’ve ever been, offering greater range and smarter features. This guide will steer you through the top 5 options, dissecting everything from brave, modern takes to timeless classics, ensuring you’ll get behind the handlebars of your perfect ride.

Our Top Pick for 2025: The ENGWE M20

ENGWE M20

Full Suspension Fat E-bike That Looks Like a Motorcycle

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Our top pick for 2025 is a bike that has its feet firmly grounded in grip, raw power, and accessibility in any terrain—the ENGWE M20. Though a dramatic departure from the traditional Dutch style with its unmistakable cheeky motorcycle flair, the bike's essential charm remains accessibility and comfort—making it a standout for the modern cyclist. The M20 is capable of miles and miles of adventure. To the core, it’s a joy to ride—fast and responsive with beautiful handling—and even on 30-day-old wheels, this bike is satisfying to whip around town as a quick urban workhorse option or aggressive commuter. What sets it apart is stability and control, not having to worry how the surface underneath you feels like, comfortable and empowering you to ride confidently. That makes it a great option for the rider who appreciates flexibility and power.

• Unbeatable Performance and Range

  Featuring a high-performance Brushless Motor, the M20 can reach up to 55N.m of torque that can easily conquer hill slopes while providing steady and comfortable acceleration. What sets it miles ahead of its price-range rivals is the optional dual-battery system, with two linked 48V 13Ah lithium-ion batteries that work in parallel to deliver a maximum distance of up to 75km + 75km and banishes any concern for running out of juice should your journey be longer.

• Comfort and Control

  Feel the perfect combination of comfort and cruising ease while riding on a full dual suspension. Outfitted with a large, adjustable spring cruise saddle and cruiser handlebars, this bike is made to move. Get ready for Adventure! This is facilitated by a front hydraulic shock and rear air shock absorber, twice as much shock absorption as other e-bikes that help soak up bumps and potholes in the road.

• All-Terrain Dominance

  Proficient on a wide variety of surfaces, including dirt and sand with its 20x4.0-inch triple-layer fat tires, the M20 delivers on the promises for superior tread grip and softness on sand, snow conditions, or on uneven city streets. Combined with long-lasting 160mm mechanical disc brakes front and back, you'll enjoy the confidence to stop on a dime no matter what the conditions are.

• Premium Frame and Features

  The M20 frame is made from a premium lightweight aluminum alloy which can support up to 120kg (264lbs). It's fully-featured with both a bright LCD display and front LED headlight for better visibility, the same 7-speed drivetrain that comes stock on every Class 3 M-series bike to ensure reliable shifting, as well as all-purpose pedal assist.

Understanding the True Dutch E-Bike

Before we move on to other brands and styles, let's first take a look at what it really means to be a true Dutch e-bike. These design elements have evolved over one hundred years of light, comfortable wear and practicality in everyday use. To help you understand, we want to share with you the features that will allow you to recognize a true high-quality Dutch-style electric bike made for durability and future riding pleasure. These ingredients conspire together beautifully to bring about a truly magnificent riding experience, and it's no wonder that this style has stuck around for so long.

• Riding Upright

  This is the Dutch style signature. The handlebars are tall and swept back, so you sit fully upright with a straight back. This comfortable riding position takes the strain off your back, neck, and wrists in heavy traffic or just joyriding down the city streets, which is a huge safety benefit when you’re moving around in urban environments.

• Low Step-Through Frame

  The frame is a low step-through, which makes for easy on and off of the bike. Great for riders who wear skirts or have limited flexibility. It makes short trips and city riding aided by stop-and-go convenience.

• Integrated and Usable

  The true Dutch bike is sold as an entire mode of transportation. That is, they come with all-inclusive accessory packages included.

• Full Fenders (Mudguards)

  These keep you from spraying water and muck onto yourself from wet roads by covering your wheels, and help keep the other drivers on the road dry too.

• Full Chainguard

  A full chainguard will help keep your clothes clean and also protect your pants from interfering with the chain or getting greasy.

• Integrated Rear Rack

  A welded on-frame rack adds convenience to your ride by letting you carry some cargo with less effort, or mount a child seat and take your little one along for the ride.

• Integrated Lights and Locks

  A number of high-end models come with lights that run off the e-bike’s main battery and a frame-mounted “café lock” system that immobilizes the rear wheel for short stops.

• Internally Geared Hub

  Instead of an elaborate external derailleur system, many classic Dutch bikes sport internally geared hubs. Such a system keeps the gears contained within the rear wheel hub, sheltering them from the weather and wear. This translates to ultimate reliability, minimal maintenance, and capable shifting even when standing still.

For those looking for the quintessential classic look, there are some really good options in the market that stick to that classic Dutch style philosophy. They focus on comfort, style, and ease-of-use for the ride-to-work life. Great for cycling around town, errands, or pedaling through the park. Here are four other top-shelf suggestions that represent the best of the classic step-through look for 2025. And each brings its own particular mix of heritage, technology, and straightforward usability to the party – meaning there’s a just-right fit for every type of rider who wants that unmistakable but eminently comfortable experience.

E-Bike Technical Specifications to Consider

When the time comes to buy Dutch electric bikes, other than style you must be well aware of the major technical specifications in order to make a sound purchase. Motor, battery, and brakes are your e-bike’s heart and soul, influencing performance, range, and safety. Knowing these things will enable you to choose a bicycle that not only delivers all the expected benefits but also lasts longer than your average ride and can withstand daily wear and tear. It’s worth paying close attention to these, so you don’t get an underpowered model with insufficient range for your daily slog to work.

Battery System (The Fuel Tank)

• Voltage (V): The majority of e-bikes currently in the market are based on 36V - 48V systems. You will need a 48V system, which higher-end models use, to run more reliably and better under load (like climbing up hills).
• Amp-Hours (Ah): This is a battery capacity measurement. The higher the Ah you go, the longer your potential range. A 13Ah battery is a good compromise for most commutes, while systems offering up to 26Ah of options like the dual-battery ENGWE M20 provide marathon assurance.
• UL Certification: This is a very important safety factor. Ensure both the battery and charger are UL certified to prevent safety issues.

Motor (The Engine)

• Mid-Drive Motor: Positioned at the bike’s pedals, these offer a very natural and smooth pedaling experience. It uses the bike's gears, making it great on hills. It's a premium feature found on many of the nicer Dutch bikes.
• Hub-Drive Motor: This motor is located in the hub of either the front or rear wheel and is a simpler and sometimes cheaper setup. Rear hub motors have a 'pushing' feeling to them and are great for strong, direct riding on flatter ground.

Brakes (The Safety Net)

• Hydraulic Disc Brakes: These offer the best stopping power and are modulated (meaning you have fine control). They are also easier on the hands to use and are self-adjusting as pads wear. They are the better option for safety, especially in wet weather or on heavier e-bikes.
• Mechanical Disc Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes use a cable to activate the brake caliper. They provide consistently trustworthy stopping power—far better than old-style rim brakes—and are simpler for a home mechanic to adjust. They are an excellent, reliable choice on many good e-bikes.

Smart Buying and Maintenance Guide

And at the end of the day, by being a smart shopper and taking good care of your machine you can make sure you’re getting the most value and enjoyment out of your e-bike for years to come. An electric bike is a substantial investment and people will spend considerably more up front if they know that they won't have the same costly repair issues for several years. With the help of these tips, you can buy the perfect bike at the right time and maintain it in top condition for safe, smooth riding.

Smart Buying Checklist

• Test Ride Before You Buy: How an e-bike feels is a subjective experience. You won’t know until you ride it if the frame size, riding position, and power delivery feel good. Take the bike on some hills if you can.
• Shop for Sales and Timing: The best time to purchase an e-bike is typically in the fall or winter, when retailers are making space for new stock by discounting last year’s models. Keep an eye out for big holiday sales, too.
• Check the Warranty: A reputable company stands behind its product. Ensure a good warranty is offered, ideally 1-2 years covering the frame, motor, and battery. Know what is covered and how to file a claim.
• Favor local vendor support: Where you purchase can be more important than what you buy. They can assist with correct assembly, future tune-ups, and warranty care, service that may be hard to find when shopping at an online-only retailer.

Key Maintenance Tips for Longevity

• Weekly Tire Pressure Check: Properly inflated tires are the number one way to avoid flats, get the best range, and good handling. The recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) is listed on the tire's sidewall.
• Keep the Drivetrain Clean and Lubed: A dirty chain wears out faster and decreases efficiency. A cycle-specific degreaser and chain lube should be applied every few hundred miles, or more frequently for riding in wet weather.
• Take Good Care of Your Battery: You can extend the life of your battery by not leaving it in extreme cold or heat. Ideally, store it with a partial charge (40-80%) if you’ll be off the bike for a while. Don't regularly let it completely drain to zero.
• Routine Brake Inspection: Frequently inspect your brake pads for wear, and make sure the disc rotors are clean. Any time you hear a squeal, or feel that your stopping power has diminished, get them serviced.

What's the main benefit of a Dutch-style e-bike’s upright position?

The upright position, towering headtube, and precise trail handling are precision tuned so you start every day with a big, comfortable smile on your face.

How can I increase my e-bike's range for a single charge?

Using minimal pedal assist, keeping your tires inflated properly, and avoiding rapid acceleration or up hills all help extend range.

Do heavier E-bikes take more effort to ride?

They’re heavy to haul up stairs, but that weight is less noticeable while pedaling with the help of a motor. Sometimes a little extra weight can make the bike feel more 'planted' on the road.

Picking the perfect e-bike will turn your daily commute into a joyful ride.