In the United States, the average retirement age is 65 and according to one recent study, about 10,000 men and women hit that magical number every day. While everyone is certainly entitled to living out their retirement years in whatever way they see fit, a not-insignificant portion of those retirees in the US at least seem to end up in the same place:

The Villages.

Dating all the way back to the 1960s, The Villages in Florida is more than just another retirement community. It covers approximately 32 square miles, making it larger than even New York City. Not only that, but according to the Census Bureau, there were 144,970 people living there - a number that had grown by 7.5% over the past few years. It's actually the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the entire country.

The Villages is known for many things, including both providing seniors and retirees with more than enough activities to keep busy, and acting as an ideal chance to enjoy that beautiful Florida weather on a daily basis. As stated, The Villages is quite large - to the point where if you assumed when you moved there you'd be able to get around exclusively by walking, you might want to think again.

Sure, you could bring a car with you - but not everybody wants to do that. Because of these logistical concerns, coupled with a desire to stay physically fit as much as possible, many residents of The Villages have turned to eBikes to meet their needs.

But just as no two people have the same set of needs, not all eBikes offer the same experience. If you truly want to make sure that you're getting the BEST eBike that you'll need to get around The Villages when you finally retire to sunny Florida, there are a number of essential models that you'll want to keep in mind.

Why Having the Right eBike is Essential

For almost as long as bikes themselves have been around, there are people out there who make the mistake of assuming that all of them are more or less the same.

The reality of the situation couldn't be farther from that idea. Everything from the material used to construct the frame to the width of the tires to the type of brakes influences what a bike is capable of and what type of person it was designed for.

Thanks to additional features and the inclusion of technology like on-board batteries, eBikes have only exacerbated this problem in their sophistication. Someone who is on the younger side who is also concerned with their physical fitness will want to look for an eBike that gives them the ability to go off-road and to take on rough terrain and steep hills. Someone who is just trying to reliably get to and from school probably isn't as concerned with that - yet eBikes as a product category can help both people, just in different ways.

If you're looking for an eBike as an "all-purpose" mode of transportation, you'll probably want to look for models that offer a large amount of storage so that you can transport items from places like the grocery store without worry. If you're just trying to get around a small neighborhood and don't plan on taking your eBike for any long trips, you don't have to worry as much about how far the battery will take you.

Again - it's all circumstantial. Just because an eBike is perfect for one type of person doesn't mean it will be for another. You need to start with your needs and what you're trying to get out of an eBike. Only then will you be able to work your way back to the model that meets those expectations.

All this is especially critical to pay attention to in an area like The Villages, which is known for a number of unique characteristics. Keep in mind that not only is The Villages already a massive area, but it's also expanding all the time. Right now, it's made up of 17 different special purpose community development districts, otherwise known as CDDs for short. In 2022, The Villages was the top-selling planned community for the 9th year in a row due to these aggressive expansion efforts.

This is to say that if you were already worried about how you were going to get around an area this vast, know that these concerns won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

Seniors in particular must also be mindful when investing in something as versatile as an eBike. There are models out there that are objectively high quality for people like endurance athletes, but that is absolutely not what someone over the age of 60 should be looking for.

When in the market for a new eBike to get around The Villages, seniors should be looking at characteristics like the step through height. This, coupled with other features like the ability to dismount the bike while at rest as opposed to in motion, make it particularly easy to get on and off for seniors who might have mobility issues. The same would be true of people who have had hip replacements, are suffering from conditions like Arthritis, and more.

Speaking of mobility, seniors would also want to make sure their bike includes a throttle for added mobility. Again, an eBike used to get around The Villages needs to serve two different masters at once. It needs to make it as safe as possible to actually get around, while simultaneously offering a viable way for seniors to stay fit and healthy. A throttle can go a long way towards accomplishing precisely that.

However, no matter what type of eBike you walk (or ride) away with, you're still getting a number of clear benefits that you'd be hard-pressed to get elsewhere. They're an energy efficient alternative to cars, they make it easy to commute to wherever you need to go (even over far distances), and many of them double as a great way to get in a solid workout.

Overall, these are just a few of the essential features that seniors should look for in an eBike to help them get around The Villages when they enjoy their retirement in Florida. There are a number of excellent eBike models in particular that show not only how valuable units in this category can be, but how they truly do have something to offer just about every type of rider regardless of age.

The RadCity 5 Plus ST

Sometimes, a senior will spend the majority of their time at The Villages but still wants the freedom of spending time elsewhere if they choose. Maybe they have children or other family members that live in major cities. The RadCity 5 Plus ST is a great way to split the difference, offering features that create a true "best of both worlds" scenario and that allow you to take the bike anywhere if you want.

This eBike also has a low step-thru frame that also makes it easier to maneuver while you're riding. It also has a 750W motor and a 48 volt battery that make sure you're prepared for trips both long and short, even if you're in a major city (like nearby Orlando) at the time. Also on display are hydraulic disc brakes and thick tires that make the RadCity 5 Plus ST every bit as versatile as you'd hoped it to be.

The Blix Sol Eclipse

One of the qualities that makes the Blix Sol Eclipse unique when compared to some of the other eBike options on this list is that it's decidedly more powerful. It has an onboard 750 watt motor, which increases the speed and distance that you're able to travel during a single trip.

This would be a great option for someone over 60 who may be used to doing a lot more riding than they currently do and they're looking forward to their time at The Villages as an opportunity to really get back out there and show the world what they can do. While it certainly offers a lot of the same features that more casual riders will be looking for, it's also great for people who want to be able to kick things up to the next level, too.

So if you want to be able to climb steep hills, for example, you're well within your power to do so. If you're eager to get a solid workout in, the Blix Sol Eclipse absolutely has a lot to offer. But if you're just trying to get back and forth from a friend's house elsewhere in The Villages, you're more than covered from that point-of-view as well.

Another factor that makes the Blix Sol Eclipse such an interesting choice for people over the age of 60 is that it is relatively lightweight given eBike standards. Due to components like the built-in motor and battery, you can naturally expect any eBike to weigh more than a traditional bike. Having said that, the Blix Sol Eclipse is only about 55 pounds. This helps you safely maneuver it while you're riding around, but also makes it easy to move around with you even when you're not sitting on it.

Maybe the best part of all is that you can use it with the motor fully disengaged if you so choose. At that point, there's very little separating it from a traditional bike. But for those times when you really want to go the distance (or if you just want to six back, relax, and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer without exerting yourself), the Blix Sol Eclipse will be there for you when you need it.

Enjoying All the Benefits of Your Retirement Years

Overall, just remember that even though you live in (or are planning to move to) The Villages in Florida to enjoy the retirement years that you've worked so hard for DOESN'T mean that your use case is the same as everyone else's when it comes to an eBike. If you're looking for something that you will strictly use for straightforward transportation, you'll be considering different models compared to someone who also wants to be able to travel exceptionally long distances or really push things to the limit in terms of physical fitness.

Don't forget that not only is The Villages more than 32 square miles in size, it is also home to about 750 miles of (largely private) roads. If you're moving there in the not-too-distant future, you're absolutely going to need a way to get around and eBikes that meet the characteristics of those outlined above will certainly help to that end.

But even still, The Villages itself is a unique environment - there are truly no other places quite like it in the country. Someone who is planning on retiring there will have vastly different needs from someone retiring in a more urban area, and vice versa. Don't let age alone dictate how you spend your money or you'll only end up disappointed.

In other words, don't start with an eBike and hope that it meets your needs just because it's the particular model that everyone else seems to have. Consider how you plan on using the bike at The Villages and why you wanted one in the first place. Only once you've done that will you be able to make the best possible decision in terms of value.

If you'd like to find out more information about the absolute best eBikes that you'll need to safely and conveniently get around The Villages retirement community in Florida, or if you're in the market for a great new eBike but aren't sure where to begin, please contact the team at sixthreezero.com today.