The title pretty much says it all. Im a college student traveling across the country by car but 1 Im not allowed to drive to class and 2 I have no intention of buying one. Id love to ride a bike to get where I need to go so I can stop walking. Im wondering if I should start with a regular bike or jump right into practicing with an electric bike and if so what beginners guide would be good. Ive done some research but its a bit confusing.
If youre learning to ride a bicycle youre bound to fall. Falling even once can damage the battery or other electric bike hardware which is a serious problem. Its even more unthinkable if you fall multiple times. Furthermore the added weight makes it harder to maneuver and maneuver i.e. push rather than ride making it difficult for beginners to maintain balance. Its much better to buy a very inexpensive used bike to practice on first and then consider an electric bike later.
To teach yourself how to ride a bike: Borrow a step-through bike from someone. Itll make it easier to fall off. Find a sprint track nearby with soft rubber grass. Itll make falling less painful. Go grab a beer with a friend 
Buy a cheap bike for $20 remember to ride it then buy an electric bike.
Lets start with a small simple bike at a grassy park. Wear jeans and a jacket that you dont mind getting grass stains on. If you fall roll over without raising your hand. This will help prevent arm and shoulder injuries. Start small and have fun.
There are many great advice videos and blogs. Basically just pedal and walk up a slightly steep hill. It takes about 10 days. Theres no shortcut but its not foolproof.
Learning to Ride a Bike: Honestly dont just buy the cheapest bike at Walmart thats small enough to sit on and touch the ground with your legs. I dont think thats a good idea. Youll fall over a lot during practice and youll damage the bike in the process. I think its best to use something thats close to disposable. Unfortunately as adults we grow taller our potential energy reserves increase and our bones become harder than cartilage. This makes falls more likely. So bring gloves pads a helmet and wear wearable clothing. Riding on a smooth surface at first will help prevent falls but it will make riding on that smooth surface more difficult. You can get adult-sized training wheels from Amazon Republic. But honestly it might be a good idea to start at the top of a small gentle slope. This way youll get a feel for your balance before you start pedaling and put your feet out to balance. Once you get the hang of it an electric bike might be better. Yes yes make sure your shoelaces dont get tangled in the chain. Best of luck OP Cycling is the most fun :
Im thinking of buying the cheapest used regular bike you can find on Facebook Marketplace and practicing. Youll probably fall once or maybe more and you dont want to break the expensive parts of an expensive electric bike. Furthermore electric bikes are heavier and more complex than regular bikes. Maneuvers like balancing cutting the handlebars bending and braking are easier to master on a lighter simpler bike. If youre a young healthy college student you probably dont need an electric bike. For generations many college students have relied on powered bicycles. First remember how to ride a bike ride it to your destination and then decide if you really need an electric bike.
Not to be negative but what if I never rode a bike until I was in college
When I learned as a child I started at the top of a long low hill and it got a little longer each time I went down until I fell.
I also live near a campus with shared bikes. International students use shared bikes to practice riding. Most of them help friends who are familiar with cycling. Its a great way to get the most out of a minimal investment. 
All the best
I learned to ride an electric bike. It took about a month. It comes with training wheels attached so you can clip them on and learn to ride an electric bike from scratch. Get a belt-drive electric bike. Its less cumbersome than a chain. Try the Gazelle C8 HMB.
Learn to ride a pedal bike. Choose a bike that you dont mind getting a little nicked. Once you can ride it level up.