A few years ago, I bought my first ebike and it completely changed the way I thought about bikes and their use as a primary mode of transportation. I’m a year-round bike commuter and have always felt like a bike can take me anywhere. But when I got my first ebike, it felt like there were no limits on where I could go with it. I even wrote a post declaring that the best thing I’ve ever bought is an ebike.
I’ve been using the RadCity as my primary ebike for the past few years, but recently got my hands on the Himiway Escape. It’s served as one of my modes of transportation and I’ve also been using it as a food delivery vehicle for when I do deliveries with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.
In this Himiway Escape bike review, I’m going to go over my experience with this bike and my thoughts on it. The short of it is, this is a fun ebike with some unique characteristics that you may find appealing.
Before we get started, I want to give a full disclosure that Himiway sent me this bike to review. Everything in this review reflects my thoughts and experience with the bike and Himiway did not have any editorial say in this post. Indeed, they did not review this post in any way.
With that said, let’s take a closer look at the Himiway Escape.
Himiway Escape Bike Specs
The Himiway Escape is a moped-style electric bike that features a 750w motor and a 48v removable battery. The bike has five levels of pedal assist, which provides more power depending on which level you set it at, as well as a throttle that allows you to move without pedaling. It also includes an LCD screen that gives you your mileage and speed.
Out of the box, the default max speed is about 22mph, although you can modify the settings so that it moves slightly faster than that (I’ve personally left it at the default settings).
Himiway advertises a range of 45 miles per charge, but this isn’t really possible unless you’re on the lowest level of pedal-assist and are pedaling on smooth, flat ground. For the most part, you’ll likely find your range closer to 25 miles. Because it’s a moped-style electric bike, I’ve found that I tend to use the throttle more than I would on other ebikes because of the way I’m positioned on the bike. The seat isn’t adjustable, so pedaling for extended periods isn’t great because I’m too low on the bike. This is in contrast to a bike like the RadCity, which is more of a traditional bike that allows you to pedal normally.
Other features of the Himiway Escape include two big Kenda wheels, front and rear suspension, and a small rear rack. The big wheels and the suspension make this a very smooth ride. I barely notice most bumps when I’m riding around.
The seat is wide and comfortable. It’s fixed to the bike, however, so you can’t raise or lower the seat. As previously mentioned, this puts you in a position where pedaling can be uncomfortable. The seat and the overall build design make this bike act much more like a moped. The low seat would seem to be a disadvantage at first glance, but I think there are some interesting advantages with the low seat that I’ll elaborate on later in this post.
In terms of looks, it’s a gorgeous-looking bike. The battery fits directly into the frame, which gives it a very clean look compared to some other ebikes where the battery is attached to the frame. I’ve definitely turned a lot of heads riding past on this bike.
Finally, this is a heavy bike, weighing in at about 92 pounds. I used to live in a house with steps, which made it a real pain to carry up and down (I’ve since moved to a house with a garage, which has made life much easier). Since it’s a moped-style bike, there’s not really a good space to grab the bike to lift it either.
Unboxing The Himiway Escape
The Himiway Escape comes in a big box delivered straight to your door. This box is super heavy, so if you can, get someone to help you carry it into your house.
Assembly is straightforward, with just two things you’ll need to assemble – the front wheel and the handlebars. You can find assembly instructions in this video from Himiway and most people should be able to do it themselves. Himiway makes it easy by also including an assembly tool (like how Ikea includes the tools when you buy a piece of furniture).
I’m admittedly not the handiest person when it comes to bike maintenance or assembly, but I was able to get everything set up within an hour. The annoying thing I’ve found with every bike I’ve assembled is that I always get a little bit of brake rubbing on the front wheel. I ended up taking the bike to my local bike shop and they were able to adjust the wheel for me. Once assembled, I was ready to roll!
My Experience With The Himiway Escape
First things first. This is a fun ebike. I’ve had a blast riding it around the city, especially since the big wheels and suspension make for a really smooth ride on otherwise bumpy streets.
Since it’s a moped-style ebike, it’s not really made for pedaling, so I find myself using the throttle most of the time. I still try to pedal so that I can preserve battery life, but I find that I have to keep it at pedal assist level 4 to stay in the 20mph range. When I’m at pedal assist level 3, I find I hover around 17-18mph.
The acceleration on this bike is really powerful – far more powerful than my Rad Power bikes. It’s actually powerful enough that it takes some getting used to, especially if you’re more used to the gentle acceleration of your more traditional ebike. You definitely feel like you’re riding something different compared to a regular ebike when you’re on the Himiway Escape.
On a less important note, I’ve also had fun with the head-turning capability of this ebike. Since it looks different from a regular bike, I’ve had a lot of people comment on it as I ride past. This probably shouldn’t influence your purchase decision, but it’s just something I noticed that I enjoy – I like looking sort of weird or different as I ride around.
Using The Himiway Escape As A Food Delivery Bike With DoorDash, Uber Eats, And Grubhub
I’m big on using bikes as a primary mode of transportation and ebikes are even better since they allow you to cover huge distances without breaking a sweat. My wife and I only have one car, so by necessity, I have to get around using other means. In the end, it’s more cost-effective, more convenient, and ultimately more fun to get around using these sorts of electric micromobility vehicles.
The other main reason I use ebikes is to do food deliveries on them using apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Most people don’t realize it, but it can be very lucrative to do deliveries using a bike, assuming you’re working in a dense neighborhood. You’ll end up with more profit in the end too because your maintenance costs will be far lower (at least that’s been my experience).
For the past two years, I’ve primarily delivered food using my RadCity and I occasionally do deliveries using a Lime scooter (I signed up to be a scooter charger, and with some strategy, you can ride these scooters around for free). But I’ve had a lot more fun using the Himiway Escape. And as a food delivery bike, it’s actually very useful.
Specifically, here’s what I’ve noticed that makes the Himiway Escape well suited as a food delivery vehicle.
- The Low Seat Makes It Easy to Hop-On and Off. The low seat on the Himiway Escape would generally be a disadvantage because it puts you in a weird position where you can’t really pedal comfortably. For food deliveries, though, the low seat is actually a bit of an advantage. One issue I didn’t realize before I started using the Himiway Escape is that it can be a pain to constantly hop on and off a regular bike. The Himiway Escape, on the other hand, is low enough that jumping on and off the bike is super easy. This can be a big advantage in the delivery game when you’re constantly getting on and off the bike to pick up and drop off orders.
- The Suspension and Big Wheels Make for a Less Bumpy Ride. Normally I don’t care too much about whether my ride is bumpy, but when you’re carrying food, having a smooth ride can be advantageous. One thing I’ve noticed with the Himiway Escape is that the big wheels combined with the front and rear suspension means that bumps are much less noticeable. I’ve definitely had fewer spills using the Himiway Escape compared to when I use other ebikes.
- You Can Use the Rear Rack to Carry Food. I haven’t personally done this because I use a delivery backpack, but you could attach a small food carrier to the back to hold orders. The rear rack isn’t huge, so you’re not going to be holding a ton of stuff in the back, but it can be used for this purpose.
Most ebikes are seen as recreational items, but they don’t have to be. If you opt to get the Himiway Escape as a food delivery vehicle, it’s possible to think of it as an investment. It’s not a cheap investment by any means – the Himiway Escape currently sells for $1,699. Still, it’s very possible to make your money back on this purchase fairly quickly if you’re using it as a delivery vehicle over your car.
Downsides Of The Himiway Escape
The Himiway Escape is a good bike, but it’s not without its flaws. Here’s what I’ve noticed after using this bike for an extended period.
The Fixed Seat Can Make Pedaling Uncomfortable. There are advantages of the fixed seat, mainly that it’s sturdy and makes it easy to get on and off of it. The downside is that you can’t adjust it and if you’re a person of average height, you’ll find that pedaling isn’t very comfortable. I’m 5’10” and can pedal the bike, but I’m definitely in an awkward position. As a result, I find myself using the throttle most of the time when I’m riding.
It’s a Heavy Bike. The Himiway Escape has a low, sleek profile, but it’s also super heavy. It weighs 92 pounds, so it’s the heaviest bike I own. Picking it up is also a pain because the design of the bike makes it so there isn’t really a good spot to lift the bike with. I used to live in a house with 4 steps leading into my house and it was a massive pain for me to carry it up and down those steps. If you have to carry your bike up steps, think carefully about whether this bike makes sense for you. (I have a new house with a garage, so that’ll make things much easier for me going forward)
This is An Expensive Bike. The Himiway Escape is priced at $1,699, which can seem expensive for people who aren’t used to buying an ebike. I will say that, in my opinion, most ebikes are good investments if you’re using them as a car replacement, rather than as just a recreational vehicle. If you think about it, your cheapest car will cost more than most ebikes and will cost much more to maintain. Most people only need to travel short distances, so an ebike can accomplish that feat without the high upfront cost or continuing maintenance costs.
Himiway Vs. Rad
One question you might have is how the Himiway Escape compares to a bike from Rad Power. First, it’s worth noting that Rad Power does not have a bike that is exactly comparable to the Himiway Escape. The closest would be the RadRunner, which is sort of a moped-style bike. It’s also a much cheaper bike – the RadRunner comes in at $1,299 compared to the Himiway Escape’s $1,699 price tag (the RadRunner Plus, however, comes in at a slightly more expensive $1,799).
I haven’t personally used the RadRunner, so I can’t say how these two bikes compare. My current Rad Power bike is the RadCity, which is more of a traditional bike. If the battery dies on the Himiway Escape, you’re going to have difficulty pedaling it long distances. In contrast, the RadCity is enough of a normal bike that you can pedal it with about the same level of efficiency as a bikeshare bike.
Here’s my thought. If you’re looking for a versatile city commuting bike, then you’d probably want to take a look at the Rad Power Bikes. If you’re more interested in a specialized type of bike with bigger wheels that can perhaps handle more weather conditions, consider taking a look at the Himiway Escape (I haven’t gone through a winter season yet with the Himiway Escape, but we’ll see how it handles when we get there).
Using The Himiway Escape As A Winter Ebike
I originally got this bike in the summer and it proved to be an excellent bike for getting around the city. It’s also proved to be an excellent bike for winter riding. I ride my son to daycare every single day, including in the winter. Most of our winter riding has been with the Himiway Escape. To get around, I attached a Burley Bee trailer to the Himiway Escape, then upgraded the Burley with the 16-inch fat tires.
It’s worked out well. The large tires on the Himiway Escape, combined with the upgraded tires on the Burley Bee means I can get through snow and ice without any issues.
Beyond the fat tires, the Himiway Escape works out well as a winter bike because it’s low to the ground. This makes it easy to regain your balance if you do happen to hit a patch of ice.
I’ll continue to use the Himiway Escape as my primary winter bike. It’s been a lifesaver and is the main reason I’m able to continue riding with my son throughout the winter.
Final Thoughts
I’ve had a blast with the Himiway Escape and think it’s an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike.
That’s my experience using the Himiway Escape. As I continue to use this bike more, I’ll update this post with some additional thoughts.
If you’re interested in getting the Himiway Escape, I do have a link that’ll give you $50 off your purchase. And if you have the Himiway Escape already, please let us know about your experience in the comments.
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More Recommended Ebike/Scooters
Check out these other ebikes and scooters I've reviewed:
- Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
- Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
- Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
- Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
- Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
- KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
- Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
- Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
- Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
- Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
- Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
- Hiboy S2 Scooter – The Hiboy S2 is an excellent entry-level commuter scooter that's perfect for someone looking to save some money in transportation costs and improve their commute. Check out my Hiboy S2 Review.
- Hiboy S2R Scooter – The Hiboy S2R is one of the more interesting electric scooters I’ve been able to test out. It’s not a high-powered scooter, but for an everyday transport option, it’s very useful, especially given some of the unique features that it has. Indeed, for the price, the Hiboy S2R might be the best value scooter I’ve used. Check out my Hiboy S2R Review.
- Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.
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- Ally Bank ($100) – Of all the banks out there, Ally is, without a doubt, my favorite. At the moment, Ally is offering $100 to customers who open an eligible Ally account and meet the requirements. Here are the step-by-step directions to earn your Ally Bank referral bonus.
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Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.
Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.
Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:
- SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link, and an additional $300 if you complete a direct deposit.
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- US Bank Business. US Bank is currently offering new business customers a $900 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements.
- M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account.
- Empower. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.
Feel free to send Kevin a message here.
Great review! This was one the bikes that I was considering as well. I ultimately went with a more traditional-looking ebike and I think it was the right decision for me. As much as I like the look of the moped style bikes, I’m finding that I enjoy pedaling, especially when biking with my daughter.
Thanks again for all your ebike articles. It really helped me to pull the trigger on one, and I’m finding it to be a great car replacement for basic errands and commutes to the office. 😎
Yeah, I generally prefer the regular-looking ebikes too, but I do find it fun to go around on a “weird” looking ebike like this one.
Glad you find them helpful. I really do think ebikes are something that people are underestimating as a transportation tool.
Good point about using an e-bike for side hustling activities so that that baby can pay for itself over the long run.
Thank you for highlighting the miles range for the bike. I know a lot of the electric vehicle folks have this thing called “range anxiety” and hadn’t considered the possibility of that for a bike. 20 miles still seems pretty decent especially when you live in a very good location where everything is close.
I’ve got a ton of range anxiety, haha. The good thing with a bike is that it’s sort of like an escalator if it runs out of battery.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention this in the article but how much does it cost to recharge the battery? You said 48 V battery but the more relevant information would be KWH or amp-hours. Stated in terms you may want to evaluate, how much in electricity is it costing you to recharge this ebike and are you attributing this cost to your delivery income.
I don’t know if you have a regular, pedal-only bike but my guess is you can pick up a 10 to 12 speed bike for $500 (I haven’t bought a bike in years so that may be way off).
Why don’t you jury-rig a stationery bike to charge a battery and then discharge that battery into your Himiway? That will lower your energy costs and get some exercise. Off course, you could cut out the middleman and just use a pedal-power bike to make deliveries.
I guess you are becoming big-time if manufacturers are sending you products to review. You have officially become “an influencer.”
48v battery, 14ah. Avg kwh in my city is 11.48 cents. We’re looking at 10 cents or less to charge the battery. About $3 per month in electricity costs.
I’ve seen a lot of people try to use the battery as some sort of gotcha, and I think it stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of how much it costs to charge a battery and how big these batteries are. It’s not like it’s moving a 2-ton car. It’s moving a bike plus a person – not a heap of metal.
Yes, of course, I have a regular pedal-only bike. It was $1,000 when it was purchased over a decade ago.
If you want to do deliveries on a regular bike, I encourage that and I do that too. That’s not the point of this post though.