Heybike Venus Review: My Pick for Women Getting Back Into Riding

If you’ve been curious about getting an e-bike but feel a little overwhelmed, you are definitely not alone. When the idea was first presented to me, I immediately balked. Me? Ride a bicycle? Like, pedaling? Absolutely not. 😂

Yet here I am a few years later, with hundreds of miles under my e-biking belt and a husband who has become the e-bike expert among our friends. My dad started this whole thing by building a couple of bikes for fun. Ray tried one, fell in love, and eventually built his own custom recumbent e-bike. I got my first bike, too, and our collection has grown from there.

Now I want my girlfriends to join the fun. If you’re a woman over 40 who wants to get outside, explore, and enjoy the ride without turning it into a competitive sport, pull up a chair. My Heybike Venus is one of the bikes I’d want you to meet.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Why I recommend the Heybike Venus for getting started

The Venus feels approachable to me. It has that familiar bicycle look, a step-through frame, and a much less bulky feel than some of the other e-bikes in our collection. And yes, I think she’s beautiful. Wanting to love the way your bike looks is completely reasonable!

When someone tells me she’s nervous about riding, I’m usually hearing concerns about getting on and off, balancing at a stop, or managing the bike’s weight. Those are practical questions. The step-through design is a big part of why I like Venus: you don’t have to swing your leg over a high top tube just to get seated.

That doesn’t make any bike a universal fit. Before buying, check the current sizing information, your reach to the handlebars, and whether you can stop and put a foot down comfortably. A test ride is especially helpful if you haven’t been on a bicycle in years. The bike should work for your body and your plans.

A lighter feel matters beyond the ride

Some of my other bikes feel much more substantial. I enjoy that, too, but I appreciate how manageable Venus feels by comparison. Moving a bike out of storage or turning it around is part of owning it, even if those moments rarely make the pretty Instagram photos.

Think about where yours will live and how you’ll transport it. Lighter does not automatically mean easy for everyone to lift onto a rack. Check the bike’s ready-to-ride weight, the rack’s individual bike limit, and your own comfort with loading before deciding that a setup will work.

For me, Venus is the bike I keep coming back to when I think about an inviting introduction to e-biking. It looks like something you want to take out for the afternoon. That counts for a lot.

You can enjoy riding without making every outing a workout

I’m an avid rider, but I’m not training for a race. I want the scenery, the fresh air, the time with Ray and our friends, and preferably a good place to stop for lunch. E-biking has become something I look forward to doing.

Pedal assist gives you help while you pedal, so you can choose how much support you want as you get familiar with the bike. Start with a low setting in an open, quiet area and practice starting, turning, braking, and stopping before adding traffic or a busy group ride. You’re allowed to take your time.

Being over 40 doesn’t dictate which bike you should buy, and there is no fitness test you need to pass to be curious. Your balance, comfort, riding experience, and intended routes matter more than an age label. Begin with a ride that feels manageable and build from there.

Make the bike yours, starting with the essentials

You can absolutely add a cute basket. I have! But first, make room in the budget for a properly fitted bicycle helmet, visibility, and a lock. Wear your helmet on every ride, learn the controls, and check the brakes and tires before heading out. A mirror can be useful, too, alongside looking and signaling before you turn.

Accessories should make your ride more comfortable and practical without crowding the controls or interfering with the steering. You don’t need to buy every gadget on day one. Ride, notice what you actually need, and build your setup from there.

Our rides sometimes include Argos in his fancy caboose. You can read about our dog bike trailer setup here. That is a separate setup to plan carefully: don’t assume any trailer will attach to any e-bike, including Venus.

Would I choose the Heybike Venus again?

For an approachable bike that makes me want to get outside, Venus remains an easy recommendation from my own collection. I love the step-through frame, the manageable feel, and the fact that she looks like a bicycle I’m excited to ride.

I also own Ruby, my Heybike Hybrid, which has a heavier, more substantial feel that I especially enjoy along roads. Owning both has reinforced how personal this choice is. Start with the kind of riding you want to do and how the bike feels to you.

If Venus sounds like your kind of bike, see the Heybike Venus and current options here. Check the current specifications and fit details before ordering, then start dreaming about where you’d like to ride. I’m always in favor of a route with a lunch stop.

Find more of our bikes, gear, and adventures in my e-biking hub.