As electric bikes have become more popular, more people are curious about the potential health benefits. Can you get as good of a (if not a better) workout on an Ebike as you would on a traditional pedal bike? Can e-cycling help you lose weight and boost your mental well-being?
Questions like this have puzzled researchers for decades. However, recent studies are turning the tide. We’re starting to better understand the health benefits of riding electric bikes and how those benefits compare to riding traditional pedal bikes.
In this article, we’ll cover the 10 main health benefits of electric bikes, which include benefits like weight loss and cost savings.
1. Heart Health
Regular exercise is vital to keeping your heart healthy. It can help control your cholesterol and blood pressure and increase oxygen intake.
Although e-cycling is less physically intensive than traditional cycling, research shows it can still contribute to improved health outcomes. According to one study, the average heart rate when riding an Ebike is 94% of the average heart rate of someone riding a traditional pedal bike.
Also, e-cycling can boost your cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack.
2. Muscle Engagement
E-cycling forces you to engage various leg muscles, including your quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings. These muscles are engaged when you rotate the pedals. Your upper body is also engaged when you grip the handlebars and control the bike. It adds muscle to the biceps and triceps in your arms and shoulders.
The only exception to the above is when you use the handlebar throttle. This propels the Ebike forward with zero pedalling.
3. Carry Large Loads
Most electric bikes let you attach storage baskets to the front, rear, and side of the frame. You can use them to store various accessories, including groceries and work or school supplies. Using storage baskets also reduces or eliminates the need to wear a backpack, alleviating back and shoulder pain.
Carrying large loads also forces you to pedal harder. The additional weight places extra strain on the frame and electrical components. The result is a more strenuous workout, contributing to greater calorie loss.
4. Mental Well-Being
Regular e-cycling can help boost your mental well-being. The activity encourages you to go outside and spend time in nature. It’s also a great opportunity to socialise with people, especially other e-cycling enthusiasts.
A third of 971 recipients (75%) agreed that cycling helped reduce their stress levels and made them feel more relaxed, according to a survey by Cycleplan. 8% of recipients even said that cycling helped ease their depression and anxiety, while 45% said it helped improve their quality of sleep.
5. Efficient Commuting
An electric bike is an efficient mode of transport for the daily commute. The pedal assist mode harnesses the power of the electric motor, propelling you forward with less effort.
With the Heybike EC Compact City, you can go almost anywhere without breaking a sweat. The lightweight, compact frame is highly portable and easy to control. It also has an integrated automatic gear system, which takes care of shifting so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Plus, the 250w motor (with a top speed of 25 km/h) complies with UK Ebike laws
6. Extended Range
With an electric bike, you can rider further and use less energy than on a traditional pedal bike. Most Ebike batteries have a travel range of 80 to 110km, and they take about 3 to 4 hours to recharge.
The Heybike EC Compact City has an impressive travel range of 110km. This means you can ride far without having to worry about battery power. And you can remove the battery at any time so you can recharge it separately from the frame.
7. Cost Savings
The cost of buying and maintaining a private vehicle can be expensive. You must consider ongoing costs such as fuel, registration, insurance, and servicing. The annual cost of running a car in the UK is around £3,543, according to independent research from Carplus.
Meanwhile, the annual cost of owning an electric bike is much lower. Even when you consider insurance, servicing, charging costs, and accessories, the total annual running cost of an electric bike is just over £500. This cost is even lower if insurance coverage is not mandatory in your region.
8. Eco-Friendly
An electric bike is one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel. Unlike diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles, electric bikes produce no tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution.
Electric bikes consume less electricity than electric cars, too. The average cost of moving one person 5km on an Ebike is 0.05 kWh, while the average cost of moving one person the same distance in an electric car is 1.0 kWh.
Although the manufacturing and distribution of electric bikes is the largest contributor to its global carbon footprint, the amount is significantly less than an electric or gasoline-powered vehicle. For example, an Ebike battery is 1 to 2% the size of an electric car battery, so it requires fewer resources to manufacture.
9. Social Connections
E-cycling is the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends, family, and romantic partners. Together, you can go for a leisurely ride in your local area, explore new and unfamiliar locations, and stop for rest breaks.
Also, electric bikes make cycling accessible to a more diverse group of people, especially those with limited mobility.
The additional boost provided by the pedal assist mode reduces, and in the case of a throttle eliminates, the need to pedal manually. This increases the number of people who can participate cycling, thereby increasing the number of potential social connections.
10. Weight Loss
Although riding an electric bike is less physically intensive than a traditional pedal bike, it’s still a great way to lose weight.
When combined with a healthy diet and low-to-moderate use of the pedal assist mode, you can still burn a similar level of calories to that of a traditional pedal bike. In fact, the difference can be as low as 20% less calories.
As we previously mentioned, Ebike riders ride more often and longer distances than regular bike riders. So, you can still burn many calories and lose weight by riding an electric bike.
Final Thoughts
E-cycling is a great way to improve your physical and mental well-being. Not only can it help you lose weight and improve your heart health, but it can also open up opportunities for more social interactions.
At Heybike, we’re passionate about empowering people with eco-friendly transport solutions. That’s why our electric bike range is tailored to riders of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, we guarantee you’ll find the perfect ride to enhance your lifestyle.
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