Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are simply bikes with a motor, and sometimes even a throttle, so that you get a little more “assist” once you start pedaling. Some people are concerned that they might not get the same health benefits with an electric bike as with a standard bicycle, but not to worry. E-bikes don’t just ride by themselves – you still have to pedal and steer!
In fact, while e-bikes make riding a bicycle a bit easier and allow you to explore bumpy terrain with a little less work, you still get great exercise when riding them – so don’t go scrapping that idea of getting an e-bike just yet!
Whether you’re young or old, new to riding or have years under your belt, there’s an e-bike for everyone willing to give it a try. If you’re curious about the many benefits of riding an electric bike, below are some of the top reasons to get out and enjoy this increasingly popular mode of transportation.
1. E-Bikes Make Riding a Little Easier
Okay, you knew this one would come first, didn’t you? Although you still get great exercise while riding an e-bike, it will still make the overall ride a little easier. Once you start pedaling the bike, the motor kicks in and enables you to ride with a little less effort. This is an especially useful feature if you live in an area with a lot of mountains or hills.
E-bikes come in two main types: pedal-assist, which starts to work as soon as you start to pedal the bike, and those with a throttle, which usually have a button that you press before you start pedaling. The type of e-bike you choose is just a matter of preference, so if you’ve never owned one before, you may want to go to your local bike shop and try both of them out before you decide for sure.
2. There Are Different Types of E-Bikes to Meet Your Needs
Since there is no one standard-type of e-bike, you have a choice when you’re shopping for one. Prefer a mountain bike so you can have more fun around hilly terrain? No problem! Do you love the feel of a performance bike so you can do a few really neat tricks? You can find that type as well! In fact, e-bikes include fat tire, commuter, recreational, cargo, and hardtail bikes, so you are bound to find the one that’s perfect for you!
All bike riders have their own style and preferences when it comes to the way they ride, and e-bike manufacturers know this. This is why you’ll find it easy to find a great e-bike regardless of how fast you want to ride, what type of terrain you live near, or how often you plan to ride.
3. They Have Great Batteries
Just like all of your other electronic devices, e-bikes need their batteries charged regularly for you to keep riding. However, it might surprise you to know that most cyclists find they can ride anywhere from 30 to 100 miles without having to charge their battery, which is a long time even on the low end. Most people find they fall somewhere in the middle of this range.
The length of your battery time depends a lot on the size of the battery and the amount of power it uses. If your e-bike has a “turbo” setting and you use it consistently, you’ll naturally use up juice a lot quicker than you would if you ride at a slow, relaxing pace. Still, even riding 30 miles at a time is very good, and most experts predict that e-bike batteries will greatly improve in the future.
Check out other posts related to batteries: calculating the size of ebike battery and how much they cost.
4. They Are Much Sturdier Than You Think
If you lift an electric bike, the first thing you’ll notice is how heavy it is. Because they contain a motor and a battery, they have to be made a little heftier than a standard bicycle, but this extra weight is advantageous because it means you’ll get a bike that is built to last and can handle minor accidents, which you can have just like you do with a standard bicycle.
This doesn’t mean they are more difficult to ride – they aren’t. It just means that if you carry them up and down the stairs or onto the subway train, you’ll have to be aware of the weight so that you can accommodate the bike wherever you take it.
5. E-Bikes Make a Great Way to Go Green
Because e-bikes allow you to go a little bit faster than you do with a standard bicycle, you can easily use it to travel to and from work. You can skip bumper-to-bumper traffic and feel good about the fact that your mode of transportation is using zero gas or diesel. Although they don’t go as fast as a motorcycle, they are able to go faster than a standard bike, so you’ll always get to work on time.
E-bike motors also use up much less energy than a car engine, and there is never any smoke or dangerous chemicals being emitted into the air. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to travel to work or to run errands, you simply can’t beat an e-bike.
6. They Can Improve Both Your Physical and Mental Health
Everyone knows that regular exercise is always beneficial, and because e-bikes can still work up a sweat just like regular bikes can, you can definitely improve your physical health with one of these great bikes. But did you know that your mental state can improve as well? Since e-bikes are a bit easier to ride, people tend to ride them for longer periods of time, giving them a sense of relaxation and even control.
Even depression and other mental challenges can be improved by spending time on an e-bike. You get to enjoy fresh air and some exercise, and endorphins are released that instantly improve your mood, making this a great way to ease feelings of sadness and tension. It’s an all-natural way to accomplish all of this!
7. Racing, Anyone?
A lot of people don’t know this, but just like regular bicycles, e-bikes are all set to be included in future racing events. In fact, racing organizations in Europe are already working on creating a race just for e-bikes, particularly road and mountain bikes that are electric in nature.
Standard bicycles have long since had numerous local, national, and international races to participate in, so who knows – we might soon start hearing about a brand-new race made specifically for all types of e-bikes!
8. The Laws Are Now Accommodating E-Bikes
If you’re considering purchasing an e-bike, but you aren’t sure what the “rules of the road” are, not to worry because most cities, states, and countries have already put laws and regulations into place to make riding your e-bike a lot easier. You don’t have to worry about whether riding your e-bike is legal, because they are legal everywhere!
Of course, just like automobiles and standard bicycles, e-bikes have laws you must follow. In most states in the United States, you must be at least 14 years of age to ride an e-bike and of course, you have to abide by the laws set forth by local or state governments. Other than that, all you have to do is get out there and enjoy the ride!
9. E-Bikes Go Faster Than You Think
Just like standard bicycles and motorcycles, e-bikes have some limitations on speed; however, most regular e-bikes can travel at speeds of between 20 and 28 miles per hour, which is slower than a motorcycle, but faster than a standard bicycle. This means if you want to push yourself a little harder one day to get in a more challenging workout, it shouldn’t be a problem for you.
Most e-bikes also come with a power switch that goes from eco (slow) to turbo (fast), so your speed is also directly affected by which of these power options you choose.
10. E-Bikes Are Effective Regardless of What Kind of Shape You’re in
Because e-bikes are a little easier to ride, even people who aren’t in great shape can start riding them immediately. The motors on e-bikes adjust to whatever fitness level you currently enjoy, meaning you can get great exercise whether this is your first time on an e-bike or your 100th. You can do everything from take a leisurely ride to really fire up your speed, and the e-bike will accommodate you.
Want to keep up with your grandkids with a day of riding? An ebike can help you keep pace with those younger whipper snappers or even a partner or friend that tends to ride a bit faster than you.
Since exercising 20 to 30 minutes a day, three times a week can produce enormous health benefits, why not choose an e-bike and get the exercise you need while also enjoying and adjusting your ride to always meet your needs? You get this and much more every time with an e-bike!
11. Today’s E-Bikes Are Constantly Evolving
Much like regular bicycles, today’s e-bikes are constantly evolving and becoming more efficient and more enjoyable riding machines. You can even choose an e-bike with a galvanized motor that allows you to ride through heavy snow, making it an all-weather bike that you can ride every month of the year, even through the winter.
Experts are also working on e-bikes that allow you to ride on water because they are hydrofoil and combine the perfect e-bike with your love of water sports. Although this is not something that will appeal to everyone, if you love the water and can’t live without your e-bike, it is the perfect combination every time!
12. You Can Ride for Longer Periods of Time
Since e-bikes are a bit easier to ride, it is possible to take longer rides through the country with them, which means more exercise and fresh air. A great way to burn off calories, e-bikes require no strain or extra effort to ride, even though you do still have to pedal to increase your speed. E-bikes are just challenging enough to be a great method of exercise, but not too exerting that you’ll want to stop after riding for a short period of time.
This feature also helps when you take those day-long trips with a group of friends because you can stay gone as long as you want to without worrying about getting too tired, especially if you pace yourself throughout the day.
13. E-Bikes Provide a Lot of Bang for Your Buck
E-bikes may not be inexpensive, but considering they generally last much longer than standard bicycles do, they are always well worth the price. In fact, as long as you take proper care of your e-bike and recharge the battery the right way, it can last a very long time. Many online and brick-and-mortar stores also offer regular sales and discounts, which means you can pay much less for your bike in the end.
If you’re looking for a great bike that you can also consider a good investment for many reasons, you simply can’t beat an e-bike.
14. Parking Is Much Easier with an E-Bike
If you ride your e-bike to and from work or when you’re out running errands, there is no need to worry about where to park it. E-bikes take up a lot less room than an automobile does, so you can park them virtually anywhere. You’ll also save a lot of money on parking fees because you’ll no longer need a standard parking lot that usually charges a monthly fee for its services.
In addition, you can park your electric bike just about anywhere, making your next trip to the beach, the park, or the fishing camp a lot more convenient on your part.
15. They Make Challenging Terrain a Little Less Difficult
Thanks to their turbo power and their strong battery, e-bikes make going through hills and mountains a lot easier to do. You’ll still get a good cardiovascular workout, but it won’t be too difficult for you and make you want to stop riding in that type of terrain. If you love rides that are challenging, but not too challenging, e-bikes are perfect because you’ll get a great workout without feeling like giving up.
In fact, e-bikes are like that regardless of the terrain you are enjoying, but the fact that you can more easily go over the river and through the woods will make you much more likely to keep up with your riding habit for many years to come.