Are Electric Bikes Worth It?
Electric bikes are expensive, but the added advantages make them worth that extra cash investment
Just two wheels and a path and maybe a helmet is all it really takes to get you from point A to B. Biking is a cost effective, and empowering way to hack your commute. In addition
Today it is very possible to dive head first into e bikes or just dip your toes in for a little taste. There are places in some towns where you can even rent electric bikes so you can get a better feel for them.
For the absolute purest experience, purpose built e-bikes are the best way to go. (bikes that have been designed as and being sold as electric, not ones that have been converted later on) They are much lighter, tougher and more capable. Whether you’re in need of a folding bike to stow away in your loft or take with you on a plane, a tandem that you can rent and ride with a friend on vacation or a downhill bomber that you will use for free riding on mountain trails, there is for sure an e-bike out there that is fully capable. As electric bikes can are much more expensive than the traditional push bike make sure you take out the appropriate level of e-bike insurance before you start your biking adventures.
1. They'll help you go further, faster, longer
Electric bicycles will offer many of the same benefits that regular cycling does, but due to the fact that you’ve got a little of added oomph on board, you will be able to travel greater distances and also ride for longer. Also, electric bicycles can offer things like no licensing or insurance required, and improved health.
They also allow you to go faster than the majority of cyclists and in some cases cars. Even though modern motors can travel fifty times faster than cars one hundred years ago, due to gridlocked roads the average car speed in traffic hasn’t really increased at all.
You can travel up to 15 mph almost instantly when you are on an e-bike, while the average speed of a car in central London is 7.3mph. With speed comes risk, so always drive with care and follow ebike safety tips to keep your book well maintained.
2. They get you riding more
According to a report done recently by the Transport Research Laboratory, regular bikes will make it out of the shed less than 25 times a year, with just 46% being used a mere once or twice a week.
By way of comparison, 30% of the people with electric bikes will use them once a day, while a staggering 81% will ride them at least once a week. This translates to e-bike users are twice as likely to get out there and ride as regular riders.
3. They're great for commuting
Not only will e-bikes save you cash, they are also able to free you from the misery of stalemated traffic and overcrowded buses and trains. Even though you are effectively a motor vehicle, you do not need a licence, and you are still allowed to use the cycling lanes. Also, you won’t work up much of a sweat and arrive at work in need of a shower. The long haul home after a hard day’s slog will not look quite so daunting, either.
Advantages & disadvantages of an electric bike
By knowing the advantages and disadvantages of an electric bike, you will be better prepared when purchasing one and what to expect when using this green mode of transportation. One surprising revelation most e-bike owner’s find out is with them using the bike, they are lowering their carbon footprint as compared to using a conventional human only powered bike. Depending on the speed of your electric bike, you may need to purchase ebike insurance, so this should also be considered in your deliberations.
Advantages of an electric bike
You can get to your destination with less effort. This is possible by the power the electric motor provides. By using less human effort on the pedals, the amount of energy a person uses is decreased, so the nutrients the rider would use is reduced. This is how the carbon footprint is reduced since less food is consumed to make each trip.
By using less effort to get to your destination, the e-bike can be used to commute to work and not be arriving covered with sweat. The distance a person can travel is also increased with an e-bike. This is especially advantageous for seniors that have a limited amount of conditioning. Manoeuvring is easy, and the rider can void most traffic snarls with their bike.
With the battery in the tube frame of the bike, it has a low centre of gravity, so the bike is easy to control and manoeuvre. When the battery power is drained, the bike can still be powered by the rider, so a person is never left stuck by the side of the road unless a tire goes flat.
Overall, ebikes are relatively easy to maintain and look after and should last many years.
Disadvantages of an electric bike
There are two areas that many consider the disadvantages of using an e-bike. They cost more than a standard bike, and they are heavier. Both of these are also an advantage of sorts. By making a larger investment in an e-bike, a person would only move forward with this purchase if they were serious about using it. Studies show that this to be true, with the number of owners using their electric powered bike at least once a week at 93%. Traditional bikes are used on average 55% by their owners once a week.
By it being heavier, it does make a person exerts more energy, especially when the battery is drained. On the plus side, exercise is one of the main reasons a person purchases a bike.
The batteries do have a relatively short life span of one year and keeping it charged is required. Charging the battery comes down to getting into a routine. When you arrive at your destination, plug it in.
The advantages outweigh the disadvantages of an electric bike by far. Parking is never a problem, and you can venture to place and use paths restricted to motorised vehicle traffic. So the reasons to buy an electric bike are many, but the final decision rests with you.