Is an electric bike healthier than a regular bike?

How Healthy is Biking?

Biking is healthy. Ask any family doctor what is the easiest thing you can do to improve your health and the answer is invariably, “Bike and walk regularly.” So biking is good for your health anyway, but which is better: electric biking or riding a regular bike? Most people still think that the old-fashioned steel steed is healthier, but nothing could be further from the truth. Scientific research has shown that an electric bike is healthier than a regular bicycle! Find out exactly how this works here.

An E-Bike is Healthier Than a Regular Bike

A comprehensive study funded by the European Commission has shed new light on the health benefits of electric bikes compared to traditional bikes. The research involved 10,000 cyclists from seven major European cities and aimed to determine which form of cycling is healthier. Participants were divided into two groups: those who use electric bikes and those who cycle the traditional way without pedal assistance.

To measure the health benefits, researchers calculated the amount of energy expended by each group in a week, expressed in Metabolic Equivalent Task minutes per week (MET min/wk). The findings were eye-opening. Cyclists on traditional bikes expended an average of 4,085 METS per week. In contrast, those riding electric bikes expended an average of 4,464 METS per week.

The results clearly indicate that people who ride electric bikes actually expend more energy on average than those who ride traditional bikes. This challenges the common perception that traditional biking is more strenuous and therefore healthier. In fact, e-biking can offer superior health benefits, making it a fantastic option for those looking to improve their physical well-being.

Electric Cyclists Ride More

The study’s findings may initially seem counterintuitive. After all, doesn’t pedal assistance on an e-bike mean you’re expending less energy per km? That’s absolutely correct. On a per-km basis, e-bike riders do use less energy compared to those on traditional bikes. However, there’s a catch: e-bike riders tend to cover significantly more km per trip, effectively offsetting the lower energy expenditure per km.

The data reveals that while a traditional cyclist rides an average of 4.8 kilometers per trip, an e-bike rider covers an impressive average of 9.4 kilometers. That’s almost double the distance! This increased mileage contributes to the higher overall energy expenditure for e-bike riders, as measured in MET min/wk.

So, while e-bikes may offer the convenience of pedal assistance, they also encourage riders to go further distances. This results in a net gain in total energy expenditure, making e-biking not just a convenient alternative to traditional cycling, but also a healthier one.

E-Bikes: A Viable Alternative to the Car

E-bikes offer more than just health benefits; they also serve as a practical alternative to cars for daily commuting. People who own e-bikes are more likely to choose them over their cars for short to medium-length trips. This is particularly true for distances that might be considered too far or strenuous for a traditional bike but are easily manageable with an e-bike.

Imagine living ten kilometers away from your workplace. The thought of cycling that distance on a regular bike might be daunting, especially if you’re concerned about arriving sweaty or late due to headwinds. An e-bike eliminates these concerns. With the option to adjust the level of pedal assistance, you can easily combat headwinds and maintain a steady speed, ensuring that you arrive at your destination feeling fresh and punctual.

So, not only do e-bikes encourage more physical activity by making longer rides more accessible, but they also offer a sustainable and convenient alternative to car travel. This makes them a win-win solution for both your health and the environment.

Conclusion: Choose a Bike That Brings You Joy

If your goal is to lead a healthy, long life, the key is to have a bicycle that encourages you to ride more and opt for two wheels over four whenever possible. The bike you choose should be one that you genuinely enjoy riding. Brands like BESV design their e-bikes with this very goal in mind: to provide you with the most enjoyable cycling experience you can have.

So, whether it’s for health benefits, environmental consciousness, or simply the joy of riding, an e-bike can be a fantastic choice. It’s not just about the destination but also the journey, and an e-bike from a reputable brand can make that journey all the more enjoyable.