DOES ‘E’ IN E-BIKE STAND FOR EXERCISE?
Commuters and those who need a little assistance can reap some health benefits
Electric bikes have a bad rep in the fitness community. Battery powered and motor assisted, they allow users to forgo the effort it takes to pedal, which decreases the fitness and health benefits of cycling. But not everyone has the strength and endurance necessary to tackle hilly terrain or a tough headwind. And there are commuters who may not want to sit behind their desk all sweaty after a long, arduous bike ride into the office.
For these individuals, and anyone else not looking for a heart-pumping workout, the ability to switch on assisted power reduces some of the barriers that keep people from cycling. (Most models have low, medium, high and full-power options.)
And while the combination of motor and muscle power may not yield the same fitness gains realized by the Lycra-clad cyclists who zip through the streets on a conventional bike, e-bike users can easily boost exercise intensity into the light to moderate range. In other words, contrary to popular opinion, e-bikes have the potential to improve fitness and overall health.
More often found on European streets than in car-obsessed North America, e-bikes are particularly popular with the 60-plus crowd. In the Netherlands, 65 per cent of e-bike users are 65 or older. Part of that popularity relates to the fact that these bikes cover a lot more ground than you would while walking — the No. 1 choice of exercise among older adults. The ability to expand their community is another reason e-bikes change the transportation habits of users.
Most studies have noted a tendency for e-bike owners to cycle more, pedal longer distances and drive less.
Also generally noted is higher use among women, those with higher BMI and people with physical limitations — all populations that have statistically lower levels of daily physical activity. Interestingly, most studies of e-bike users have recorded more use for transportation than recreation, including shopping, travelling to and from work, and visiting friends and family. So while it’s possible to work up a sweat on an e-bike, its use is more likely to entail getting from A to B. Bob Ryan manages an e-bike store in a Montreal suburb. He says two types of customers drop in to check out his inventory. “We get the recreational cyclists who just want to putter around the neighbourhood, and commuters who want to cycle downtown to work,” he said. The recreational cyclists tend to be over 50, says Ryan, but the commuters come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Much of the motivation for using an e-bike to commute — aside from it being a less sweaty option than a traditional bike — is the flexibility of being able to speed up the trip, should you be faced with a headwind or end up leaving the house or office a bit later than planned. And many cyclists like the option of turning on the motor during the commute to work and leaving it off on the way home.
Despite all the upsides of e-bikes, there are a few shortcomings.
First, they’re heavy. Most have the bulky look and feel of a commuter bike versus the sleek lines of a road bike, which in itself adds weight.
And while most manufacturers have models that come in different weights, the battery, motor and controller add about 20 pounds to the frame, making it harder to lift, manoeuvre and turn the pedals.
“You shouldn’t notice the extra weight on level ground, but you will going uphill,” says Ryan, adding that most users solve the problem by turning on the motor to assist in the climb.
Then there’s the price tag. The average e-bike costs about $2,500, with the cheapest model on the market ringing in at about $1,500.
Other fun facts include a top speed of 32 km/h (as per provincial and federal regulations), with battery power lasting 25 to 100 km, depending on the battery, weight of the rider and bike, terrain, wind, speed and degree of assisted pedalling. With that in mind, commuters need to find an outlet at work to recharge their bike. (The average charging time is two to six hours.)