Electric bikes come with a long range of health benefits. Research shows that not only do people on average ride much longer distances than on regular bikes, but they also experience less long-term risk of various lifestyle-related diseases, have fewer sick days from work, and an overall feeling of better health.
Electric bikes have long been seen as a model of transportation for either inactive commuters or seniors. This perception has been changing as e bikes become mainstream as the preferred choice for urban commuting on distances from 5-25km, sometimes even longer. The numbers talk for themselves––more bikes powered by electricity are now being sold when compared to the sales of regular ones, in many European countries.
The development is seen as positive. E bikes not only contribute to cleaner air and reduced traffic jams, but also they bring a long range of health benefits linked to physical motion. Let’s have a look at what science tells us.
A Norwegian study shows that energy consumption while riding an electric bicycle is 8,5 times higher than when we rest. Regular bikes have an equivalent of 10,9. Choosing the bike burns about double the amount of calories compared to moderate walking, and more so at higher workout intensity. Even on shorter distances, riding an electric motor-powered bicycle has positive influences on health benefits.
A Swedish study shows that riding only 1 km every day reduces the risk of obesity and the precursors to diabetes type 2, improves blood pressure, and helps with cholesterol levels. A Danish study shows that one hour of bicycling every day may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Among other advantages suggested is the correlation of riding an e bike on a regular basis can result in fewer sick days and an overall feeling of better health.
A British study concludes that Britons aged between 55-77, who take their bike to work every day, had a 40% lower risk of dying early, a 45% lower risk of developing cancer, and a 46% lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to the ones exclusively using passive modes of transportation, such as car and public transport.
The research is clear and speaks for itself. Choosing the two-wheeler, electric or not, comes with great benefits in securing long and healthy lives.
The flexibility of electric bikes creates healthy habits
Sometimes numbers and research knowledge don’t make it on their own, and maintaining healthy habits might be more difficult than it seems. Riding an e bike gives you an aspect of freedom that might be important in this matter. Whether you are facing tough hills, rain or just don’t want to get to work in need of a shower, the electric assistance provides you with the flexibility to tailor your ride to any given situation.
As people on average avoid the bike when going more than 5 km distance, being provided with the flexibility to reach longer distances is a difference that matters. The long range distances you wouldn’t do on a regular bike adds up as the equivalent of the health benefits from riding a bike with electric assistance.
As one of our ambassadors writes––his new experiences with his STRØM city bike came with unexpected added bonus:
“Riding an e bike is a completely new and stimulating biking experience, ensuring a lot of unexpected fun. Worth mentioning – it wasn’t planned – but since then, I have lost more than 15 kg as I have been biking much more and longer than I did before…”
Fritz, STRØM Ambassador, Warchaw
At STRØM Bikes, we are on a mission to get as many electric bikes on the streets as possible, as we want to create a positive impact on local communities. Thus, not only ensuring a sustainable urban commute, but also making sure we all have access to the extra social and health benefits that biking culture brings along. As facts and research begin to spread, we are sure that we have only seen the very early beginning of a global movement supported by electric bikes.
