What you’ll want to ask before you buy

Yes, and no licence is needed. Under Taiwan’s Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, these electric bikes are classed as “power-assisted bicycles”; once certified with the BSMI lightning mark, registered with a plate and covered by compulsory insurance, they can be ridden legally.

Riders must be at least 14 years old, wear a helmet, and ride in the slow-vehicle lane or on bike paths; the maximum design speed is 25 km/h. Since November 2022, micro electric two-wheelers must have compulsory insurance and a plate to be ridden on the road. The entire SLIDER range is BSMI certified.

The lightning mark is the safety certification for electric bicycles issued by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The mark is a lightning-bolt symbol, usually attached somewhere clearly visible on the frame.

Selling or riding an uncertified electric bicycle is illegal; riders may be fined NT$1,200–3,600 and have the bike confiscated. When buying, check that the frame carries the lightning mark.

Taking the SLIDER Rocket battery (313Wh) as an example, a single battery gives a measured range of about 40–60 km. ECO mode can reach 70 km; sport mode about 35 km.

If your daily commute is longer than 30 km, we recommend adding a second battery for 80–120 km of range.

With normal use (charging 1–2 times a week) and good charging habits, the Rocket battery lasts about 2–3 years; a replacement costs NT$6,880 (genuine battery). That works out to about NT$10 per day of use.

All SLIDER models use the same standard Rocket battery, interchangeable between models.

Yes. SLIDER battery packs and electronic control systems are rated IPX4 water resistance, suitable for riding in ordinary rain.

Avoid riding through water deeper than the wheel axles, wipe the bike dry after rain, and check the brake cables monthly. In heavy rain or storms, we recommend taking public transport instead.

Under Article 69 of Taiwan’s Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, power-assisted bicycles and micro electric two-wheelers may not carry an add-on seat; violations are fined NT$300–600.

In practice, most cities and counties do not strictly enforce this against fitted child seats. If you fit one, we recommend a child seat certified to EU EN/TUV standards (such as BOBIKE or OGK), a compliant helmet for your child, using bike paths wherever possible, and checking local traffic rules.

The folding model can. When folded, the SLIDER METRO meets the bicycle rules of the Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taoyuan metro systems; once packed in a bike bag or dedicated cover, it can be carried free of charge, with no need to buy a bicycle day pass.

We recommend checking that day’s service announcements before boarding.

Take a Taipei office worker commuting 12 km a day: a 125cc scooter costs about NT$900 a month in fuel and about NT$800 in parking, plus NT$1,800 a year in licence and fuel taxes, NT$750 in compulsory insurance and NT$2,400 in oil and maintenance — about NT$23,990 a year.

With a SLIDER electric bike, electricity is about NT$20 a month, with no parking fees and no fuel tax, NT$200 in compulsory insurance and NT$500 in maintenance — about NT$1,380 a year. That saves about NT$22,000 a year; at the current pre-order price of DAILY, it pays for itself in about 15 months.

METRO is all about folding portability: a 1-second quick fold, it can go on the MRT or into a car boot — ideal for MRT commuters and people in small homes.

CYBER is all about fat-tyre off-road riding: big fat tyres, race-grade brakes and SUPER73-style looks — ideal for street-style riders and those who want presence. They are positioned differently: METRO puts portability first, CYBER puts riding attitude first.

DAILY has a sharp, clean look with a traditional top-tube frame — suited to men, or women office workers who like a sporty feel.

CHARME has a step-through frame with a step-over height of about 55 cm, so riders in skirts, pregnant women and older riders can all get on easily. If you are petite or prefer a step-through frame, choose CHARME; if you want a sharp look and a sporty feel, choose DAILY.

SUPER73 is a fat-tyre electric bike brand launched in California, USA, in 2016. Through its Taiwan distributor it sells for about NT$110,000–250,000; the specs are premium, but repairs have to go through the distributor.

The SLIDER CYBER is a Taiwanese fat-tyre e-bike launched in 2024, at about a third of the price of an entry-level SUPER73. It carries the BSMI lightning mark, so it is road-legal, and repairs are convenient through dealers across Taiwan. For buyers with a budget under NT$100,000 who care about road legality and easy repairs, CYBER is the more practical choice; riders with a generous budget who want the original pedigree can choose SUPER73.

Xinyi Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A11 store: 5F, No. 11 Songshou Road, Xinyi District, Taipei (Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A11) (walk in or book ahead).

Neihu store (by appointment): 13, Lane 35, Jihu Road, Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan. Tucheng factory, New Taipei (by appointment): 2F, No. 9 Datong Street, Tucheng District, New Taipei, Taiwan. For dealer locations across Taiwan and online booking, see the official shop; customer service +886-978-907-938.

SLIDER provides a seven-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Protection Act. However, electric bikes are special made-to-order goods, so for specific return and exchange conditions please see the returns policy on the official shop, or ask customer service before ordering.

We recommend a test ride at a store or dealer before you buy.

SLIDER updates its models every year, releasing a new model year of its five core ranges (METRO, CYBER, DAILY, CHARME, BIKNIKS), plus occasional limited editions — for example the 2025 CYBER MINI (limited to 15 units).

Follow our official Facebook page or YouTube channel for news of new models.