The UBCO 2×2 Special Edition is an accessorized version of the street-legal 2×2 Adventure electric utility bike. (Photos by Monica Wiesblott & the author)

I don?t know about where you live, but electric bikes have invaded like a swarm of locusts here in Ventura, California. They silently climb steep trails with ease, zip along bike paths, and book it down city streets.

Most e-bikes have pedals that can be used to assist in the generation of motive power, and depending on an e-bike?s class (1, 2, or 3) and state laws, speeds are typically limited to 20-28 mph.

In addition to its special sage green paint, the UBCO 2×2 Special Edition is accessorized with two Giant Loop Pronghorn straps for the front rack, a 12-liter center carry-all bag, a 30-liter rear rack bag, and a Peak Design smartphone mount. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott)
But there are also electric motorbikes that forego the pedals and rely purely on electrons to keep the wheels turning. A popular choice among teenagers here in Ventura is the Surron Light Bee X, a 100-lb electric dirtbike that?s delivered with a 16-mph speed limit but can be ?hacked? to allow speeds of 50 mph or more. Some talented daredevils on Surrons rip endless wheelies down city streets, all but terrorizing local folks who complain endlessly about those ?crazy kids? on NextDoor.

Enter the UBCO 2×2, an electric utility bike built by a company based in New Zealand that has a U.S. headquarters in Bend, Oregon. UB...