In order to develop a high performance electric bicycle, a simulation study of its dynamic characteristics and required power is conducted based on the effects of various input parameters such as rider mass, bicycle mass, wind speed, crank length, wheel diameter, and grade. Operation of the electric bicycle is modeled and simulated based on mathematical models including bicycle dynamics under human power only and bicycle dynamics with the assistance of an electric motor. In addition, a simulation model for consumed power when propelling the electric bicycle is also established. MATLAB/SIMULINK is used as a solver to calculate the dynamics and required power of the electric bicycle. Based on the required power obtained from this simulation, a suitable power is selected for the motor of the electric bicycle. In addition, a model-based control study is conducted with the aim of controlling the speed of the electric bicycle under the effects of slope grade. Finally, to support the presented simulations, an experimental study is conducted to examine operating characteristics of the electric bicycle in two cases: under human power only and human power with the assistance of an electric motor. Experimental data is acquired using the LabVIEW programming framework. The experimental results are compared with simulation results to validate the presented simulations. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.