E-bikes: is it the right choice for me?
Sales of electric bicycles, better known as e-bikes, have soared in recent years and show no signs of abating. Since they appeared on the market in the 2010s, these items have dropped in price and gained popularity among all types of cyclists: club riders, city commuters, amateur cyclists and among those who just want a little assistance in pedaling from point A to point B.
For those who bike to work, they are a valuable purchase. Motor assistance allows you to arrive on time but a little less sweaty than you would if you arrived on a non-motorized bike.
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How do electric bicycles work?
As cities around the world try to remove cars from the streets and get more people to pedal, electric bikes are carving out more and more space in our daily lives. In 2018, the global e-bike market netted 21 billion. By 2025, it is expected to grow to $39 billion. In 2019, Deloitte released its annual Technology, Media, and Communications Forecast, one of which stated that 130 million and e-bikes would be sold globally between 2020 and 2023. The report stated that e-bikes “will easily outpace other electric vehicles” by the end of 2023.
The merits of e-bikes
The merits of e-bikes have been the focus of numerous studies. All point to people’s enthusiasm for using e-bikes because they make it easier to travel to work, to stores, and to school. The perceived lack of effort required means that people can travel farther and are also much more likely to do so.
When Citi Bike, New York City’s bike-sharing program, first piloted its fleet of e-bikes, the average trip time increased by 10% compared to classic bikes. In addition, participants said they were twice as likely to use an e-bike for a trip that required them to cross a bridge or climb a hill. The same trend soon spread to Europe and Italy as well.
Bad weather and e-bikes
E-bikes may also have the ability to get people cycling more throughout the year. Of course, even the hardiest of commuters might experience e-bike use as a challenge during the colder times of the year. And in fact, many people tend to prefer the car in case of adverse weather conditions. Slowly, however, we see how, in case of cold weather, people prefer to ride and give up only in case of snow or heavy rain. Cycling in fact helps to warm up and, when we are in a hurry, assisted pedaling helps to arrive on time and warm enough but without sweating too much, risking getting sick.
Electric bicycles and costs
Another reason why the importance of electric bicycles for big city dwellers has increased is its affordability. Lithium-ion battery technology is not only getting better, but it’s getting cheaper, helping to reduce the overall cost of e-bikes. But it’s after purchasing an Yogi e-bike that you really start saving money.
After the significant initial investment of the bike itself, the running costs are low. Battery life continues to improve and you can expect to only need to replace it after about 150 miles. That’s a nice savings considering there are no fuel costs and especially if you have to pay to park at your destination.
Electric bikes and health benefits
We all know that exercise is good for our physical and mental well-being, and swinging a leg on an e-bike helps keep our bodies and minds happy. It’s recommended that you get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week, and using e-bikes for your daily commute would probably see your goal achieved like nothing else.
If you’re worried that riding electric bikes doesn’t provide enough of a workout to justify using the term “exercise,” you’re wrong. There are studies that show that riding e-bikes is a great cardio workout.
Still looking for excuses not to switch to electric bikes?
Embrace safety and style when riding. There is nothing better than a motorbike jacket that knows how to take charge of your style when you want to demonstrate to the public how much you love driving your two wheels.