A new electric-assist bicycle is now available.

The Civilized Cycles Model 1 has pneumatic suspension, comfortable seating for two, and pop-out panniers for carrying groceries, briefcases, or art supplies; it has a 750-watt electric motor that can get 28 mph and a replaceable battery (you can get a second battery for an additional $399) will last about 30 miles on a charge.

The Civilized Cycles Model 1 will sell for about $5,500 when it goes on sale this fall, but the early bird can pre-order it for $4,500 at CivilizedCycles.com. It will be available in black, red, and silver.

This is much higher than the price of many of the best electric bicycles, but Civilized Cycles hopes the versatility and comfort of the Model 1 will appeal to urban commuters.

The Model 1 looks like a vintage Vespa, thanks to the curved panniers that cover most of the rear wheel. It even has built-in headlights, blinkers, and taillights. Zachary Schieffelin, founder and CEO of Civilized Cycle, used to own a Vespa dealership in Manhattan.

Zach said that by selling Vespas, he realized that his customers wanted something that could go fast, carry groceries, but did not have to be registered as a car and did not require a motorcycle license to ride.

The frame of the Model 1 is a curved single piece of solid aluminum that looks like an abstract sculpture in itself. The motor is tucked under the seat, while the battery and electronic control unit are housed in the right pannier compartment. If a second battery is purchased, there is another battery receptacle in the left pannier.

The tires are thick, a bit thicker than a regular mountain bike, but not as thick as beach tires. It has a Sturmey Archer 5-speed transmission with internal hubs and Tektro front and rear 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes. The Model 1 comes with a two-year warranty.

Technically, the Model 1 will have a display screen mounted in the center of the handlebar, as well as an app to run diagnostics and lock/unlock the bike. The bike can also be locked from the display screen using a PIN. The screen displays speed, odometer, battery charge level, and remaining range.

I test rode the Model 1 a few weeks ago near the Civilized Cycles headquarters in Brooklyn Navy Yard, across the East River from lower Manhattan. I was very surprised at how comfortable and easy it was to ride.

The first thing I noticed was that, like many electric bicycles, the Model 1 is quite a bit heavier than a regular bike at 89 pounds. Certainly, I would not want to pedal up a steep hill without power assist.

But as soon as it started moving, the Model 1 felt light as air. Part of the reason for this is due to the impressive pneumatic suspension, with shock absorbers positioned directly under the seat. It also helps that the automatic power assist gives you a little extra power, although you hardly feel it when you take your hand off the throttle.

Normally, biking over potholes is a bit rough, but the Civilized Cycle made doing so very smooth. I didn't even feel any roughness when I rode over the manhole cover.

The Brooklyn waterfront is full of rutted streets and railroad tracks, and the Model 1 made them manageable. Riding over the cobblestones was pleasant rather than toothsome.

Zach showed me how the pneumatic suspension adjusts to the rider. He puts his full weight on the bike and presses a button on the left handlebar to deflate the suspension. When the bike is fully down, he presses the button again to deflate the suspension, and the bike rises up and takes its seat like an old Citroen.

It wasn't until halfway through the second ride that I remembered to try the throttle on the right handlebar, like on a motorcycle or Vespa. As I gunned the Model 1 on the straightaway, the speedometer reached 37. The bike accelerates very quickly.

I assumed I had gotten the bike up to 37 mph, but Zach said the bike had a speed limiter set at 28 mph (45 km/h) and the speedometer was probably showing kilometers per hour. Still, 37 mph (about 22 km/h) seemed about the same speed he wanted to go on a busy road.

The pop-out panniers on either side of the rear wheel looked flimsy at first, but were solid to the touch. According to the Civilized Cycle spec sheet, they have a maximum capacity of 80 liters.

Together, the panniers can support up to 50 lbs. Two Trader Joe's paper bags might be able to fit end to end in each pannier. Each also has a thick waterproof zip-up cover to keep the contents dry in inclement weather.

According to Zack, the pop-out panniers are designed so that children sitting behind their pedaling parents can put their feet in them. For larger people, there is also a built-in footrest.

He also told us that he and his designers made sure that the bicycle parts and the electric motor parts are independent of each other. Both wheels come off easily, he said, so a regular bicycle repair store should be able to fix the brakes, tires, and wheels with no problem.

Zach said each battery can be charged from zero to 80 percent in about two hours when plugged into a 45-watt DC adapter connected to a 120-volt outlet. (The remaining 20 percent takes another two hours, as is common with lithium-ion batteries.

Zach told us that he commutes about eight miles daily from his home in Astoria, Queens, to his office in Brooklyn. Much of that route is on a straight stretch of bike lane, where he guns the throttle and overworks his battery. By the time he arrives, the battery is down to about 25% capacity, but if he doesn't accelerate so much, he says, it will be down even more (i.e., less discharged).

The idea is that the commuter would take the battery out and recharge it when he reaches his office or other destination. Adding another optional battery would double the range to about 30 miles.

The Model 1 is not cheap. Our top three picks for best electric bicycles retail for $1,500 to $2,000, and the Model 1's projected price of $5,500 would get you a mid-size Vespa capable of riding on the freeway, but that would require a motorcycle license and insurance, of course.

The advantage of the Model 1 is that it is very comfortable to ride, thanks to its air suspension. However, if you are looking for a durable commuter bike, the Model 1 from Civilized Cycles is definitely worth a test ride.