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8 Benefits Of Using Electric Bikes
Luke Grainger is an enthusiastic cyclist and in this article he outlines the many advantages of using an e-bike. Read on to learn how an electric bike could help you.
Many passionate bikers have switched from conventional bikes to using electric bikes. You will see them cycling on city pavements, riding off-road, and hiking hills in the woods. That is a testament to the fact that bikers no longer perceive pedal-assistance as a weakness.
The newfound positive perception is justified; e-bikes aren’t designed for wimps and seniors, after all. These bikes come with a gift basket full of benefits that anyone, regardless of age or fitness level, can reap. Here are 8 of those benefits.
1. Reduced Pollution
Roads in most cities are perennially noisy, ever in pandemonium, because of constant car honks and roaring motors. Electric bikes can minimize the noise problem in cities because they are as quiet as ordinary bikes. Noise pollution aside, these bikes don’t run on diesel or petrol, so they can be trusted to keep air pollution in check.
2. Will Save You Money
Again, these bikes don’t run on petrol or diesel, so they aren’t affected by the ever-fluctuating gas prices. All you need to keep the bike propelling is a couple of rechargeable batteries. The cost of recharging an e-bike is almost negligible compared to gas costs. Besides, if you ride an e-bike to your co-working space, you don’t have to worry about parking fees. And because an e-bike is seen as an ordinary bike from a legal standpoint, you will save a lot on tax, licenses, and insurance by ditching the car for an electric bike.
3. Health Benefits
Electric bikes offer you the same health benefits as a regular bike, but they are better for the facts that they allow you to ride for longer and more safely. Anyone can improve their fitness with an e-bike without hurting their knees. Anyone can ride up hills and explore off-beaten paths using an e-bike regardless of their level of riding expertise.
E-bikes are great for your mental health too. If, for example, you struggle to keep up with friends or family members during group rides, converting your regular bike into an e-bike using a
motorized bicycle kit will help you keep up. That gives you a sense of accomplishment, which is great for your mental health. Besides, riding for long distances and exploring paths that are ordinarily out of your reach allows you to interact more with nature, and it has been proven that interacting with nature can alleviate mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
In addition, cycling can be the perfect cardio for you to build up stamina, strengthen your heart muscle capacity, and significantly reduce the chances of a heart attack. Generally, when you suffer from coronary heart disease, it is more than preferable to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle. Cycling is the perfect moderate activity that is not too intense for you to suffer chest pains, and shortness of breath, and on the other hand, tends to lead to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
4. Speed and flexibility
These bikes are classified as regular bikes, so you can ride them on multi-purpose cycle lanes and paths when you need to beat traffic. You can easily do 5 miles per hour on a city pavement, almost the same speed regular cars achieve in jam-ridden cities. Besides, their small body frame enables them to squeeze through small spaces on city highways, so you never get stuck in traffic even when your city grinds to a halt. They are arguably the best vehicles in regards to slashing your commute time.
5. Increased Range
Recharging your e-bike to full capacity (takes about 3-4 hours when empty) gives you up to a 150km range on average. If you work 10 kilometres from home, or less, charging the batteries once will be sufficient for a week, sometimes more.
6. Affordable maintenance
Electric bikes are as durable as standard bikes, if not more durable. You can ride one for decades and still look as good as new provided that you keep it well maintained. And why wouldn’t you keep an e-bike properly maintained considering that they require less maintenance than standard bikes? For starters, e-bikes don’t need regular checks on lubricating and adjusting. Just ensure that brake pads are in good shape at all times to avoid unwanted accidents, the tyres aren’t worn out especially if you love riding on snow or slippery roads, and keep the fluid flush in check.
7. They are aesthetically pleasing
As the demand for e-bikes increases, manufacturers are getting more and more creative with designs. That is why modern e-bikes are the most beautiful and stylish vehicles out there, and newer, classier designs are being invented every day.
8. They are adventurous
The beauty of adventure is having the freedom to set off on trips without caring about where the path you take will lead. With a standard bike, you must have a fully coherent vision of your destination because you cannot afford to get tired before you get back. E-bikes are different in that you can ride for as long as you want without getting tired; you can ride through all kinds of terrain. That means your spirit of adventure doesn’t have to be hinged.
Bottom line
There is no red tape with e-bikes unlike standard bikes and other forms of modern transportation. All you need is a bike and you are in the game. Just remember to be safe out there. Getting an e-bike will enable you to reap all the benefits, especially health benefits, of a standard bike, but with all the parameters scaled up. You will be actively contributing to a more sustainable planet, healthier heart, and fuller pockets.
> With thanks to Luke Grainger for the article. If you have cycling advice or a story to share, please email us at
[email protected].
Have you used an e-bike before? Or are you keen to go for a pedal on one? Let us know in the comment section below