Electric Bike Revolution: Why You Should Try One Now

Electric bikes are electrically powered two- and three-wheeled cycles that are similar in size and maximum speed to conventional bicycles. They are less physically demanding than traditional bikes, making them more accessible to people who might otherwise be inactive. Electric bikes are also more likely to replace car trips, helping to reduce emissions and congestion. They can cover longer distances with less effort, making them a close substitute for cars, two-wheelers, and motorcycles. Electric bikes are also more efficient at climbing hills and fighting the wind, making them a great option for commuters.

Electric bikes are more likely to replace car trips

E-bikes are also more likely to be used by people who might otherwise be inactive, as they are less physically demanding on joints and muscles. They can also help to bridge the gap and bring non-cyclists into the fold.

A recent study found that car owners who also own an e-bike used the bike to replace about half the miles they usually travelled by car. This is because e-bikes can cover longer distance trips with less effort, relative to traditional pedal bikes.

E-bikes will have a significant role to play in shifting people away from high-polluting private vehicles, and they are a critical element to making cities more livable and equitable.

They are less physically demanding on joints and muscles

Electric bikes are less physically demanding on joints and muscles than traditional pedal bikes. This is because the bike's motor and rechargeable battery carry the brunt of the hard work. They can cover longer-distance trips with less effort, making them close substitutes for cars, two-wheelers and motorcycles.

E-bikes are particularly beneficial for those with knee pain or exercise-induced asthma, for example, as they can breathe new life into the sport of cycling. They can also help commuters to travel to work in extreme heat without perspiring so much.

The reduced physical demand of e-bikes means they can bring in riders who might otherwise be inactive, as well as offering the opportunity for people to ride for longer. This could include older people or those with disabilities who might not be able to ride a traditional bike.

E-bikes can also help to bridge the gap and bring non-cyclists into the fold. A recent study found that car owners who also own an e-bike used the bike to replace about half the miles they usually travelled by car. This could have a significant impact on reducing emissions and congestion in cities.

They are more efficient in climbing hills or fighting the wind

Electric bikes are more efficient in climbing hills or fighting the wind due to their powerful motors and advanced technology. The motor provides extra power when needed, making uphill climbs much easier. The higher the motor power, the steeper the hill grade that can be conquered. Motor efficiency is also key, determining how effectively the motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Another factor is torque control, which allows the motor to deliver maximum power when climbing uphill. Battery capacity also plays a crucial role in hill performance, determining how long the motor can sustain high power output. Lighter batteries make climbing easier.

The controller manages power output, ensuring a seamless and effortless climb. It controls the flow of electricity from the battery to the motor to avoid any unnecessary energy loss. It constantly monitors your speed, pedalling effort, and the hill's steepness, fine-tuning the motor's assistance in real-time.

Regenerative braking is another feature that sets electric bikes apart when it comes to hill climbing. This technology allows the bike's motor to recover energy when you apply the brakes while going downhill or descending from a hill. This recovered energy is then stored in the battery and can be used later to provide an extra boost when tackling uphill sections.

They can help bridge the gap and bring non-cyclists into the fold

Electric bikes can help bridge the gap and bring non-cyclists into the fold. They are less physically demanding on joints and muscles, which means they can bring in riders who might otherwise be inactive. They also make it easier to climb hills or fight the wind, and they have a better range. This means that people who experience knee pain or exercise-induced asthma, for example, can still enjoy cycling. Electric bikes can also help people commute to work in extreme heat without perspiring so much. They are also more likely to replace car trips, which means they can play a significant role in shifting people away from high-polluting private vehicles.

They can reduce congestion and emissions in cities

Electric bikes are a great way to reduce congestion and emissions in cities. They are a close substitute for cars, two-wheelers and motorcycles because they can cover longer distances with less effort than traditional pedal bikes. This means that they can replace a large share of vehicle trips, reducing congestion and emissions.

A recent study found that car owners who also own an e-bike used the bike to replace about half the miles they usually travelled by car. This is because e-bikes are less physically demanding on joints and muscles, so they are more likely to be used by people who might otherwise be inactive.

E-bikes are also a great option for people who live in cities. The global e-bike market has been valued at more than $40 billion USD in 2023 and is expected to grow as more people, especially urban residents, recognise their potential for daily travel, goods and services delivery, and leisure.

E-bikes are also differentiated from faster, heavier electric two-wheelers, mopeds and motorcycles. This is important when considering where certain modes can be ridden – for the most part, e-bikes should be able to use cycle lanes while faster modes should not. This means that e-bikes can help to reduce congestion on roads and make cities more livable and equitable.

Frequently asked questions