Under $500, you can update your current bike to an e-bike. In fact, that's the best way to do it. Get a good bike and modify it into an electric. You get much

Under $500, you can update your current bike to an e-bike. In fact, that's the best way to do it. Get a good bike and modify it into an electric. You get much better customization and quality for the price. But that's not for everyone. Perhaps someone with access to funding can start a chain of conversion shops... but honestly, Swapfiets is cheaper.