E-bikes are a hot topic these days, it seems that every other bike you see is a type of electric bike. Whether it’s a folding bike, a cargo bike, a city bike of some form of hybrid, the pandemic has certainly seen a boom in sales for e-bikes. Recent studies in the U.S. show that an electric bike is sold once every three minutes, meaning that e-bikes are outselling electric cars!
So, with this in mind, we thought it would be useful to look into the reasons why e-bikes have become so popular and highlight their main benefits to understand why people are deciding to splash the cash and purchase e-bikes.
Improved Physical Health
So is cycling an electric bike still exercise? Well that depends on the bike. Pedal assist e-bikes do require pedal power although you’ll be assisted by a battery powered motor.
A study by Brigham Young University and published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that people who ride e-bikes (pedal not throttle bikes) experience nearly as much exercise as those who cycle regular bikes. I recently heard one rider liken it to ‘going for a jog rather than sprinting!’. The fact is that even with pedal assist, you still have to pedal which results in burning calories. It is therefore great cardiovascular exercise, can help build muscle and improve your overall physical health.
E-bikes Make Cycling Accessible
Investment by the government in improving cycling infrastructure during the pandemic has certainly helped booster the popularity of cycling in general. Pedal assist e-bikes have made cycling easier, hills, steep inclines and rough terrain are no longer an issue. The extra power that you get with an e-bike allows for a smoother ride with less stress on your joints. This makes it more attractive for people as they can now take longer rides without physical exhaustion.
E-bikes Put Money Back in your Pocket.
According to the AA the average cost of running a family car in Ireland is €10,691 per year. Enough said!
Saves Time on your Commute
E-bikes are great for eco-friendly commuting but think about the time they save you. With people now returning to the workplace the traffic is building every day. The average commute of between 10 – 15KMs that may have taken a half hour in light traffic is now taking over an hour. Whereas with an e-bike you can zip past the stand still traffic and make it to you place of work faster.
E-bikes are Fun and Affordable
E-bikes come in many different styles from city bikes for riding around town to specialist electric mountain bikes if you want to try some off road riding. Changes in the Bike to Work Scheme limits means that you can purchase an e-Bike up to the value of €1,500 with tax savings of up to 52%.
Many shops now facilitate trials of e-bikes for you to test one out and see what all the fuss is about. You won’t be disappointed, e-bikes are for all ages and all fitness levels. They are a great alternative to your commute or a great way to get back in the saddle and stay active. Most importantly e-bikes have the potential to replace many solo car journeys which will have a massive impact on the environment.
