{"id":62228,"date":"2024-04-16T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/c27270ed-4158-48eb-8c82-8d7e4c14df00"},"modified":"2024-04-16T10:59:52","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T08:59:52","slug":"15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"15 benefits of riding an electric bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

15 reasons why an ebike could make you happier, healthier and better off <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 16 April 2024 at 08:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Electric bikes are growing in popularity quickly, but what are the benefits of adding a motor to your pedal power?<\/p>

Whether you\u2019re new to cycling or are already a regular rider, there are several reasons why you might want to try an electric bike, from health and fitness through to financial and environmental benefits.<\/p>

From riding to work, to fast-tracking your route to the top of mountain bike trails, here are 15 benefits of riding an electric bike.<\/p>

1. An ebike will improve your fitness<\/h2>
Just because you’re riding an ebike doesn’t mean you aren’t getting a workout. – Robert Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Despite what some may believe, you can ride an electric bike for fitness<\/a>.<\/p>
The effort required to keep yourself moving may be less than on a non-assisted bike, but you\u2019ll still be turning the pedals and putting in a significant amount of the energy required to move yourself along.<\/p>
Studies have suggested<\/a> that ebike riders\u2019 hearts can be working at more than 90 per cent the level of riders of non-assisted bikes, but riders may perceive less effort.<\/p>
Researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah monitored the heart rates of seasoned mountain bikers riding ebikes and bikes without motors.<\/p>
The participants on electric mountain bikes reached 94 per cent of the average heart rate they did when riding purely pedal-powered on a 10-kilometre test circuit. This effort placed them in training zone<\/a> four.<\/p>
The same scientists concluded that riding an electric hybrid bike<\/a> to work brought most of the benefits of commuting<\/a>. Riders on ebikes averaged 89 per cent of the mean beats per minute they recorded riding without a motor.<\/p>
In a similar BikeRadar test<\/a>, 2021 National Hill Climb Champion Tom Bell hit 198bpm, close to his maximum heart rate of 208bpm, riding an electric mountain bike<\/a> on his favourite off-road test loop.<\/p>
Bell says: \u201cYou can still push as hard as you like on an ebike, you just have added assistance.<\/p>
\u201cSo, although it can be used to make climbing and riding in general easier if you want to back off, it\u2019s also possible to put in a lot of effort but just go faster for that effort.\u201d<\/p>
The exercise will strengthen your muscles<\/a> and up the efficiency of your cardiovascular system, so you\u2019ll be able to do more off the bike and feel fresher too.<\/p>
<\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-an-ebike-will-help-you-keep-up-with-your-mates\">2. An ebike will help you keep up with your mates<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"9193\" height=\"6129\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2022\/08\/Cycle-to-Work-Day-20221-32b6cd0.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-692376\" title=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An ebike is a great option if you struggle to keep up with the group. – Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>One of the major benefits of electric bikes cited by their users is the ability to keep pace with faster riders. It makes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/how-to-ride-in-a-group\/\">riding in a group<\/a> more enjoyable, because less fit riders don\u2019t feel they\u2019re holding fitter ones back. It’s also good for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/routes-and-rides\/beginners-guide-to-cycling-with-kids\/\">family rides<\/a>, where abilities may differ.<\/p><p>That also makes them a social form of exercise, meaning you can chat with your friends as you ride.<\/p><p>For those who ride <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/adaptive-bikes\/\">adaptive bikes<\/a>, it\u2019s a good way to get out and get fit with less exertion and frustration. <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-ebikes-make-it-easier-to-get-up-hills\">3. ebikes make it easier to get up hills<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2021\/10\/Electric-MTB-riders-58becc7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-650295\" title=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The assistance provided by an ebike makes climbing much easier. – Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Many cyclists struggle on hills, and even if you\u2019re a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/10-steps-to-faster-climbing\/\">climbing<\/a> ace, your speed is likely to drop below 15mph on many climbs. That means the motor will cut in and provide assistance, with the amount dependent on the level of support you\u2019ve selected.<\/p><p>Once you\u2019ve crested a climb, you\u2019ll be fresher, so you\u2019re less likely to want to stop to recoup and more likely to press on. <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-faster-riding\">4. Faster riding<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1352\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2019\/05\/Bianchi-Aria-E-Road-05-1945069-e1604405413864.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-379210\" title=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ebikes enable you to ride faster, no matter your fitness. – Robert Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>An ebike will enable you to ride faster, regardless of your fitness level. That\u2019s down to quicker acceleration and faster hill climbing.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/electric-bike-laws\/\">Electric bike laws<\/a> dictate that a bike’s motor will cut out once you ride over 25kph\/15.5mph in most countries (although that increases to 20mph in the USA), so you might find you\u2019re riding unassisted if you\u2019re already quite fit and riding a performance machine, particularly if you’re riding an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-electric-road-bikes\/\">electric road bike<\/a>.<\/p><p>But even so, unless you ride somewhere absolutely pan flat, your speed is likely to increase overall.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-an-ebike-will-help-you-explore-new-places\">5. An ebike will help you explore new places<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2021\/04\/Cairn-E-Adventure-1.0-09-8664065.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-627856\" title=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An electric bike can help you explore new places. – Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>An ebike should enable you to ride further.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S259019821930017X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">An analysis of health and transport data<\/a> from seven European cities found ebike riders took longer trips than cyclists without motors. Therefore, ebike riders gained a similar amount of fitness gains to pedal-powered cyclists.<\/p><p>Range varies hugely between bikes, but you have the option of fitting a second battery to extend it. This enables you to take in places further afield, while the assistance will help you get up climbs and into terrain that you might not have been able to reach before.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-quick-start\">6. Quick-start<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"9183\" height=\"6122\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2022\/08\/Cycle-to-Work-Day-20227-5567046.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-692382\" title=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The assistance provided by an ebike’s motor can help you set off quickly when riding in traffic. – Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/electric-bike-motors\/\">ebike motor<\/a> will help you get up to speed from a standstill, cutting in to help you accelerate faster and with less effort. That means it\u2019s easier and less stressful to keep in the traffic flow at junctions and lights.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-less-sweat\">7. Less sweat<\/h2><p>You\u2019ll ride cooler, because your effort level can be less, thanks to the motor. If you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/cycling-to-work-guide\/\">commuting<\/a>, that means you\u2019ll arrive at work less hot than if you were riding a non-assisted bike. <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-less-muscle-strain\">8. Less muscle strain<\/h2><p>Extra assistance means less strain on your muscles and joints, particularly since the motor will give you most support on hills and accelerations, when most effort is needed. That means you should need less recovery time and you\u2019ll be fresher for another ride.<\/p><p>It\u2019s helpful if you\u2019re just getting into cycling, too, and maybe haven\u2019t yet developed the muscles and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/skills\/technique\/beginners-cycling-skills\/\">beginner’s cycling skills<\/a> you need to move fluently on the bike.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9-less-stress-on-the-heart\">9. Less stress on the heart<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2020\/09\/Strava-BLE-HRM-app-pairing-cef6cbf.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-558832\" title=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">While you will still get an aerobic workout from riding, your heart will be less stressed. – Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Your heart will be less stressed riding an ebike than a non-assisted bike.<\/p><p>The motor helps smooth out the periods of harder exertion, but you\u2019ll still get an aerobic workout from riding. Evidence from <a href=\"https:\/\/ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12966-017-0513-z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a Norwegian scientific paper<\/a> backs this up.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-better-mental-health\">10. Better mental health<\/h2><p>Any form of cycling, or indeed any form of exercise, has big benefits for your mental health.<\/p><p>British Cycling quotes five mental health benefits of cycling, including reduced anxiety and stress, and greater happiness. It says exercising outdoors delivers these benefits better than in a gym.<\/p><p>You should <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/health\/how-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep-for-a-great-day-of-cycling\/\">sleep better<\/a> too, thanks to the anxiety-busting effect of cycling, along with the exercise and fresh air.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-11-an-ebike-is-cheaper-and-faster-than-a-car-or-other-transport\">11. An ebike is cheaper (and faster) than a car or other transport<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3543\" height=\"2362\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2020\/10\/ebike-done-8563bdf.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-597668\" title=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Travelling by ebike is typically quicker, more convenient and greener than going by car or public transport. – Matilda Smith \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>For short-to-medium length journeys, an ebike is more efficient and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/car-replacement-bike\/\">less expensive than using a car<\/a>. You don\u2019t need to tax an ebike to ride it, and although it might be a good idea to buy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/ebike-insurance\/\">electric bike insurance<\/a>, this will be far cheaper than car insurance.<\/p><p>The cost per mile is also tiny relative to a car and for urban trips an ebike is often faster. Plus, it\u2019s non-polluting, so it’s better for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/long-reads\/cycling-environmental-impact\/\">environment<\/a>.<\/p><p>If you need to get to the shops for a top-up, an ebike may get you there faster than a car journey, and there\u2019s not the hassle of finding and perhaps having to pay for parking. <\/p><p>An ebike journey is cheaper than public transport as well, and it\u2019s point to point, so you probably won\u2019t need to walk as far at either end of your trip.<\/p><p>For example, according to ebike maker Volt, buying one of its ebikes will cost you less than a London zone 1-6 travel card. <\/p><p>While you still have to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/workshop\/electric-bike-maintenance\/\">maintain an ebike<\/a>, the costs of repairing one will be far lower than keeping a car running daily. <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12. Carry large loads<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Tern-Orox-Orox-R14-13.jpeg\" alt=\"Male cyclist riding the Tern Orox Orox R14 electric cargo bike\" class=\"wp-image-816726\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An e-cargo bike will make light work of heavy loads. – Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>One reason replacing your car with a bike may be unappealing, is the prospect of not being able to move so much stuff around. <\/p><p>But don’t fear, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-electric-cargo-bike\">best electric cargo bikes<\/a> will help you carry your shopping home from the supermarket and even complete a school run, thanks to the large carrying space or extra seats and the motor assistance.<\/p><p>In fact, many businesses are now <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/car-replacement-bike\">using ebikes instead of cars and vans<\/a>. <\/p><p>The BikeRadar team also helped video manager Felix Smith <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=VAeweM6YUJc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">move house with an e-cargo bike<\/a>.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-13-easy-to-store\">13. Easy to store<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"895\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2021\/01\/Electric-folding-bikes-161d532.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-614058\" title=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Electric folding bikes are ideal for commuting. – Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>If you\u2019re tight on space (who isn\u2019t?), the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-electric-folding-bikes\/\">best folding electric bikes<\/a> pack down into small packages that you can store under the stairs or in a cupboard.<\/p><p>Even a non-folding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-electric-hybrid-bikes\/\">electric hybrid bike<\/a> will be a lot easier to find a space for than a car, if you live somewhere without off-street parking.<\/p><p>Most ebikes are heavier than their non-assisted counterparts, which is worth bearing in mind if you have to carry yours up any stairs. <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-14-ebikes-are-quiet\">14. Ebikes are quiet<\/h2><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-electric-bikes\/\">best electric bikes<\/a> are a quiet way to get around, enabling you to relax and enjoy your surroundings.<\/p><p>There\u2019s usually a faint whirr as you accelerate or when climbing hills; the rest of the time, an ebike makes little noise, so there\u2019s no noise pollution or atmospheric pollution.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-15-ebikes-can-be-tax-efficient\">15. Ebikes can be tax efficient<\/h2><p>There\u2019s a significant price premium for an ebike over a normal bike, due to the extra cost of the motor and battery.<\/p><p>But you can reduce that by buying your electric bike using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/cycle-to-work-scheme-everything-you-need-to-know\/\">Cycle to Work<\/a> scheme, which now purchases over the \u00a31,000 mark.<\/p><p>Buying an ebike using Cycle to Work is tax efficient because you make monthly payments over several years by salary sacrifice, reducing your gross pay and hence the tax and National Insurance you pay. At the end of the plan period, you can re-lease the ebike for a further period, pay its market value or return it.<\/p><p>If you can’t afford a dedicated ebike, it may be worth investigating whether an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-electric-bike-conversion-kits\/\">electric bike conversion<\/a> kit is right for you. <\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>15 reasons why an ebike could make you happier, healthier and better off <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":62229,"template":"","categories":[1,36],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"9"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/04\/15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike-scaled.jpg",2560,1708,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/04\/15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/04\/15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/04\/15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/04\/15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/04\/15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike-1536x1025.jpg",1536,1025,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/04\/15-benefits-of-riding-an-electric-bike-2048x1366.jpg",2048,1366,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"15 reasons why an ebike could make you happier, healthier and better off","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/62228"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}