They allow for sustained aerobic exercise
Cut yourself a little slack, especially if you’re new to cycling or are looking to up your game. We know that exercise has a myriad of benefits, and to that end, the US Government recommends that we all get at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
However, we also know that Rome wasn’t built in a day. So for those of us who need a little boost to help us make those goals sustainable, electric bikes make cycling possible for a much wider range of people, by providing assistance up hills, with loads, and over distances.
That applies whether they’re being used for commuting or exercising alone. Either way, it allows you to go further and longer. The results show that people using electric bikes are doing more exercise than they otherwise would despite the extra help, the knock-on effect being that they have improved aerobic fitness and less body fat.
More people are cycling more of the time
A study in Norway showed that e-bikes cause people to cycle longer and more often. That means swapping short commutes in cars for bicycle transport, as well as being more likely to go out for a leisurely ride.
The result is that it’s not only good for individual health and wellbeing but it’s also positive for the environment. In the world of cycling, the increasing number of cyclists also means that it encourages greater infrastructure for cyclists as a whole. That means more office showers, better cycle lanes, and so forth.
The fact that cycling was easier to do over longer distances and more manageable as a result has also been shown in studies to increase the likelihood of sustained behavioural change in users. Those who have switched to cycling by using an electric bike have found the transition away from other modes of transport easier, and as a result are more likely to keep it going, which has been much of the challenge for campaigns to improve health statistics.
Better mental health
Particularly for those looking to change habits and start exercising more, the help that an electric bike provides makes the transition away from other modes of transport easier for new users. You’re still getting fresh air, you’re still getting exercise, but the barriers to entry are far fewer.
The result is that people build their confidence with cycling much more effectively and, as said before, are more likely to continue their increased exercise levels, which in turn is also good for mental health.
Many people may not have ridden a bike since childhood, and an e-bike can make starting to cycle again much less daunting. It can also help anyone returning to cycling after any health problems, to take on the sport without putting undue pressure on their body, which allows you to improve fitness and the feel-good factor.
E-bikes make cycling more inclusive
Any cycling lover will be able to extoll the virtues of a good bicycle but what about the entry barrier as you get older or if you have any health problems?
For someone returning to cycling after injury or surgery, it can be a real physical challenge and failing, or finding it harder than before, can put someone off for life. Electric bikes allow more people to take up or continue to cycle into much later life, which is a huge factor in improving health into old age.
Not only that but the ability to exercise can also help to recover from injury and health problems, meaning that the merits are twofold. E-bikes allow you to cycle more, and the more you do, the more you’re able to.
