by Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy
E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular. Between 50,00 -60,000 e-bikes are sold in the UK every year, and suppliers such as Halfords predict a significant increase in the coming months.
What’s not to love about an e-bike? I’ve got one and wonder why it took me so long to buy it. It’s transformed my life and it could do the same for you.
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike is an ordinary road or mountain bike that has been fitted with a motor. They look very similar to a normal bike. There is a battery, a motor and a control unit.
Some bikes are ‘throttle-controlled’ and do not require the rider to pedal at all. However other e-bikes, such as mine, only work when you pedal, but they give pedal assistance, so suddenly, pedalling is easy!
Does an e-bike improve health?
Electrically assisted pedalling on an e-bike has been shown to improve physical fitness.
In a 2018 review and meta-analysis of 17 studies, the authors concluded that riding an e-bike provides a form of moderate-intensity exercise. Although an e-bike involves less exercise than conventional cycling, they said the degree of exercise was greater than walking. Some studies showed improved VO2 max (oxygen uptake) after 4 weeks of regular cycling on an-e-bike. The greatest benefits were seen in those who had the lowest levels of fitness before starting to ride an e-bike. When monitored, the heart of an e-bike rider is working at 90% of the riders of non-assisted bikes.
Riding an e-bike can be used to achieve weekly fitness targets. UK adults are recommended to do 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise – this is any exercise that makes you slightly sweaty and out of breath. Riding a pedal-assisted e-bike counts towards this total.
Commuting by e-bike
Why not ride your e-bike to work instead of walking, or taking the car, bus or train? Studies have shown that e-biking is safe and effective in improving health outcomes in middle-aged men with coronary heart disease and those with type-2 diabetes.
Great things about e-bikes
Here’s a list of all the great things about e-bikes –
Join in with friends
You can join in with your friends – staying connected is vital for human health. You no longer have to be the person waiting for them all to arrive in the coffee shop after the ride!
Motor assistance
The motor gives you power assistance and can sail up the hills – but turn the power off at the top of the hill and sail down unassisted (much to your real cyclist friend’s dismay!).
Can get out and explore
You can get out and explore places you would never have seen otherwise.
Easier to start from standing
It’s easier to push off on the bike from standing if you have the power on.
Sweat less
Cycling is less sweaty and unpleasant and you finish your bike ride feeling more composed.
Feel happy
Being able to cycle makes you feel happy. When you finish a ride you feel a sense of satisfaction, for something you would otherwise not have achieved. Going out on your e-bike will make you feel happy.
Saves money
The e-bike is highly cost-effective. But do get e-bike insurance.
Can carry more baggage
You can have panniers fitted and can carry more baggage. Because you have the motor, you don’t need to worry too much about the weight.
Good for the environment
E-bikes are quiet, green, and tax-efficient. A 6-mile commute on an e-bike produces around 80% less CO2 than the same journey in a car!
You might like to purchase your bike through the Cycle to Work scheme in which your employer buys your e-bike for you and you lease it back – rather like a company car. The money comes from your gross salary so saves on tax and national insurance.
Choosing an e-bike
Do your research and ensure you buy a bike that meets your needs. Most e-bikes have a range of around 50 miles, after which they need to be recharged.
For more information
- Bike radar – best electric bikes
- Bike radar – how to convert a bike to electric power
Final thoughts
E-bikes are great news. They have so many advantages – they are good for physical fitness, the environment and can dave you money. Who could fail to see the benefits of the e-bike?
My e-bike has revolutionised my life.
- Why not arrange to ride an e-bike and see for yourself? It could be a whole new beginning!