Why Buy an Electric Bike?

Electric bikes are booming in popularity right now, but why should you buy an e bike?

Whether you’re already a keen cyclist or a beginner, there are many reasons why you buying an electric bike is a good idea. From fitness to environmental and financial benefits—there are many! Let’s get started. 

1. Improvement in Fitness

Whatever type of cycling you’re doing, and this includes riding electric bicycles, you’re going to improve your aerobic fitness.

Sure, you’re going to find that you don’t need to use as much effort as you would on a traditional bike, but the fact remains that they’re still pedal powered and use your energy to move.

Studies have shown that cyclists riding e-bikes can use around 90% of the effort that a cyclist on a standard bike uses.

That’s the key point—you can be pushing as hard as you like and getting a good workout when you’re on an e-bike. Bonus - you can use added assistance if you want!

The exercise is still going to strengthen your muscles and improve your cardiovascular system so you’ll be able to do more on and off the bike.

2. Save Money On Travel 

The price of purchasing an electric bike has decreased significantly since they were first available, meaning that they are far more affordable than ever before.

When you compare the costs of buying, maintaining, and insuring a motor vehicle, an electric bike comes out at much better value.

If you’re able to switch out your season train ticket or frequent uber trips for an electric bike, you’re still likely to make a huge saving too.

Of course, you do have to factor in the cost of recharging your bike but it certainly won’t add much to your electricity bill! In addition to this, the actual maintenance costs are roughly the same as if you owned a traditional bike—when we’re talking about things such as tires, brake pads, and chains.

3. Make Hills Easier 

Electric bikes can take all of the pain out of ascending hills.

The great thing is that e-bikes usually have several different power modes so when you’re faced with a tough climb, simply turn your motor up to give you the most pedal assist and you’ll be up that hill, no problem!

E-bikes have grown in popularity in every sector of cycling but they do truly shine with mountain bikers as they can focus on going downhill, rather than the climb back uphill.

4. Get To Explore New Places

You can ride greater distances with motor assist.

Research was conducted in seven European cities and it found that electric bike riders take longer trips than cyclists who ride normal bikes. So whilst e-bikes riders, may be working at 90% of the effort of your average cyclist, they’re traveling further.

The range on e-bikes does vary sizably but you can often fit an additional battery to most models so you have that option.

5. Great For Commuting

This point comes with many reasons!

Firstly, as you have the assistance of a motor, getting you to work and back isn’t all on you, you have help!

As a result, you won’t have to work as hard so you won’t sweat as much, meaning you’ll arrive at the office in a more presentable state!

Another reason why buying an electric bike is a great option for working is that you don’t have to sit in traffic jams or on crowded public transport. You get to enjoy the fresh air, rather than the pungent smell of fellow commuters…you know exactly what I’m talking about, right?

6. Crosswinds and Headwinds Are A Breeze!

If you’ve ever ridden in a headwind or a crosswind without the benefit of being on an electric bike, then you’ll know just how difficult this can be.

Whereas if you’ve got a motor to back you up, then it gives you that extra power to tackle the cross and headwinds more easily.

7. You’ll Ride More Quickly

No matter your fitness level, you’ll be able to cycle more quickly on an electric bike than when you’re on a non-motorized bike. This is due to the fact e-bikes have quicker acceleration and you’re able to climb hills more quickly.

Depending on your state or city, the motor on your e-bike will typically cut out at its top speed around 20 mph when you reach a certain speed so then the pedaling is down to you.

Then if you’re riding somewhere that is totally flat, you’re going to increase your overall speed thanks to that motorized boost.

8. Keep Up With Your Cycling Friends

Nobody likes being dropped and it’s common to have people of different abilities in a group, especially a group of mates.

Hills are a common place where people get left behind. For most of us, you’re unlikely to be able to maintain a speed of 15 mph when taking on a climb.

However, when you have a motor, you get to benefit from that assistance and get yourself up that climb.

Now, of course, you probably don’t want to totally drop the people you’re riding with (or maybe you do!) so you might not want to attack the hill with full assistance but hey, at least you’ve got the option.

When you do get to the top of the climb, you will be fresher than you otherwise would be so you’re able to maintain a quicker pace and recover more quickly. Again, this will bring your average speed up.

9. Sufficient Range

The range of electric bikes can cause some anxiety for potential owners but it shouldn’t stop you from considering an e-bike.

Why?

Well, most e-bikes these days have a range between 40 - 80 miles, so for most people, this is going to be sufficient for most commutes.

This range can vary depending on the terrain you’re faced with, so if you live in a particularly hilly area, you might find that you don’t have 30 miles instead of 40 miles for example.

One way to minimize this impact is to use the motor only when required, so if you’re riding on the flat, perhaps you aren’t getting assistance from the motor. This will ensure you have enough battery when you need it most!

Some electric bikes have removable batteries. This can be ideal for some people as you’re able to remove your battery and charge it away from your bike. For example, you could bring the battery into the office so you know you have enough charge for your return journey.

The other option is to have a spare battery so that when the battery dies, you can swap it out and replace it with a fully charged one.

In other words, you can usually find a way to ensure that you have sufficient range for your journeys.

10. Fun To Ride 

Electric bikes are very similar to riding a regular bike, but they take away a lot of the stresses and anxieties riders can experience when they are outside.

When you turn those pedals, you get so much more power (depending on your settings) than you would ordinarily that it’s a real boost in confidence and it makes cycling so much fun.

Being able to take on hills you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Being able to go further than you’ve ever been before. Having the ability to keep up with friends and not have to worry about being dropped. Being able to go outside and enjoy some exercise for the first time in a while.

These are some of the things e-bikes can do and why you might consider buying one!