Exploring the Health Benefits of Electric Bikes
With innovation and environmental consciousness re-shaping transportation, electric bikes, popularly known as E-bikes, are rapidly emerging as a practical and fun mode of travel. And the health benefits of electric bikes cannot be pushed aside.
Promising a world where automobiles are not the only means of commuting, electric bikes not only represent an evolution in the field of personal transportation but also a shift towards more sustainable practices.
The growth and popularity of electric bikes keep accelerating, primarily because of their technological advancements which allow them to provide an experience like traditional cycling, while also offering the comfort of motor-assisted travel.
Understanding Electric Bikes
Mechanics of Electric Bikes
Electric bikes, often referred to as e-bikes, are simply standard bikes integrated with an electric motor. This motor provides assistance to the rider, making pedaling less strenuous and easily managed, especially uphill or against the wind.
The motors are powered by a rechargeable battery and can be controlled manually or automatically depending on the bike model.
READ MORE: E-BIKE MOTORS: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEM
Popularity and Growth of Electric Bikes
Electric bikes have grown significantly in popularity over recent years thanks to their potential for improving health, the environment, and urban mobility.
As technology advances and more people become conscious of the need for sustainable and healthy transportation alternatives, e-bikes have experienced a surge in their demand and use.
Health BENEFITS OF Electric Bikes
Impact on Physical Health
1. Improving cardiovascular health: Riding an e-bike improves your hearts condition, Therefore improving blood flow, reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering blood pressure, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, And many more benefits.
A systematic review and meta analysis, published in 2022, found that riding an E-Bike can increase your VO2 max. (VO2 is the maximum amount of oxygen your body is able to utilize during exercise)
2. Strengthening Muscles, Bones, Joints: Riding an e-bike can help build muscle, increase bone density, and strengthen joints, Especially in your legs.
With the aid of the electric motor, it can reduce the strain on your muscles and joints. (And no, Riding an electric bike doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting less exercise than you would on a regular bike. Which we will touch on later in this article.)
3. Sleep Better: Exercises such as cycling can improve sleep quality and increase sleep duration.
Benefits for Mental Health
Cycling on an electric bike can improve mental health. Riding an e-bike can be a fun and exciting experience, which can boost your mood and reduce stress levels. It can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s a great way to interact with the environment and brings a sense of freedom and joy that positively impacts mental well-being.
Enhancing Mobility and Flexibility
Electric bikes can also enhance mobility and flexibility. They provide a low-impact form of exercise that can be kind to the joints.
Moreover, the adjustable assistance offered by electric bikes allows individuals of varying fitness levels to ride together, enhancing overall mobility.
Misconceptions Regarding Electric Bikes
Challenging the Opinion that it’s ‘Cheating’
Contrary to popular belief, using an electric bike doesn’t equate to less physical exercise.
Multiple studies have confirmed that riders of e-bikes still engage in significant physical activity.
This study for example shows that the heart rate during eMTB(Electric Mountain Bike) use was 94% of the heart rate during conventional mountain bike use.
eMTB use achieved a majority of the exercise response and exceeded established biometric thresholds for cardiovascular fitness. The study concluded that despite the measured benefit, participants’ perceived exertion while riding the eMTB was low.”
Therefore, it is safe to say that using an E-Bike for health is not cheating.
Future of Electric Bikes
Increasing Use for Health Improvement
In the future, we could see an even wider adoption of electric bikes for health improvement reasons.
As the research and benefits become more widely understood, more people might choose e-bikes as their preferred method of exercise and transportation.
IN Conclusion
Through understanding the misconceptions surrounding electric bikes, we can challenge prevailing opinions. It is not ‘cheating,’ but rather a smart and healthy option.
Discrediting the popular myth, electric biking does promote physical exercise to a considerable extent, helping users sustain a healthier lifestyle. While it assists your cycling, it doesn’t entirely eliminate the effort that goes into it.
