Raleigh is rolling out a new chapter in its long legacy of bicycle design with the launch of the Raleigh ONE, a sleek, smart e-bike aimed squarely at the European urban mobility market. Officially unveiled today, the Raleigh ONE combines classic British cycling heritage with modern connected tech, delivering what the company calls “the only e-bike you’ll need in the city.”
Taking a page out of Big Tech’s playbook, Raleigh is also offering a membership program to unlock extra features. But will riders pay up, or will they balk?
While it’s debuting first in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, the Raleigh ONE seems clearly designed for global appeal. It’s a one-size, one-speed, minimalist-style urban e-bike built with high-quality components and a suite of smart features accessed via an app and membership system.
Think of it as a mix between a timeless European utility bike and a Silicon Valley tech platform.
We’ll get to that tech, but first let’s dive into what makes it an e-bike. On the powered side of things, the Raleigh ONE sports a 360Wh removable battery that offers up to 80 km (50 mi) of range in eco mode and around 50 km (31 mi) in boost. That battery powers up a 250W Mivice rear hub motor, one of the nicer and more sophisticated hub motors on the market. The maximum assisted speed is 25 km/h (15.5 mph), keeping with European e-bike regulations.
The bike uses a Gates carbon belt drive for low-maintenance, grease-free operation and includes hydraulic disc brakes for confident stopping power.
Lighting is fully integrated and smart-enabled, with wraparound rear lights and a dual front beam. The riser bars, wide tires, and upright geometry give the Raleigh ONE a comfortable ride posture designed for all-day city use, even over rough pavement.
The bike is equipped with an SP Connect mount for the rider’s phone, allowing for hands-free use of Raleigh’s new app, which acts as a digital control hub for both ride data and security features.
Raleigh is leaning heavily into connectivity with the Raleigh ONE. Once registered through the app, users can enable auto-unlocking, journey tracking, alarm features, GPS location, and theft alerts. The system supports wireless updates, and security functions are controlled via handlebar buttons or the app itself.
Joining a growing trend among some connected e-bikes in 2025, the Raleigh ONE introduces a membership model to use some of its more desirable features such as sharing digital unlock access.
- Base (free) with essential features including Ride dashboard, “basic security,” Bluetooth updates, and manual stolen mode.
- Core (€7.99/month) with expanded services including automatic stolen mode activation, smart maintenance, and bike sharing access for one additional rider.
- Icon (€14.99/month) includes all of the above plus over-the-air updates, bike sharing access for up to four other riders, remote arming, and full insurance coverage (provided by Hepster).
Memberships are optional, but the more advanced functionality (especially security and insurance) lives behind a paywall. Just like your friendly neighborhood dealer, Raleigh offers the Icon plan with a free trial (30 days) to help get you hooked. For those ready to jump in with two feet, the paid plans also have lower annual rates.
With a €2,699 / £2,399 price tag, the Raleigh ONE positions itself competitively among other premium urban e-bikes like those recently unveiled by VanMoof, especially considering its inclusion of fast charging (50% in 1 hour, full in just over 2 hours), built-in lights, belt drive, and theft protection ecosystem.
One of the standout value points is Raleigh’s dealer network and after-sales service, a major advantage over many online-only e-bike startups. Add in Raleigh’s 130+ year reputation in the cycling world, and the ONE looks like an interesting option for urban riders who want a worry-free, future-proof ride.
Accessories like front carriers, baskets, and integrated AXA locks round out the ecosystem, with more to come.
Selin Can, EVP of Mobility at Accell Group (Raleigh’s parent company), called the Raleigh ONE “a bold fusion of heritage and innovation.” That seems to be the goal here: take Raleigh’s deep cycling roots and plug them into a modern electric, digital, app-connected future.
With the launch of the ONE, Raleigh isn’t just releasing a new e-bike, it’s making a play to reclaim relevance in a world of smartphones, theft alerts, and mobility-as-a-service. The inclusion of basic tech features for free is important to prevent alienating its customers completely, though many riders may feel frustrated at having to pay extra to access hardware or features already designed into the bike.
What do you think? Is the Raleigh ONE an e-bike of the future, or a warning of what could be coming in a future walled garden? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
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