Not only is riding an electric bike suitable for your health. It's very cheap considering you are not spending on gasoline and also good for the environment as it doesn’t emit toxic gas to the atmosphere. According to Fastboyfenders, over the years, the technology used in making electric bikes has dramatically improved, making them a more flexible, trendy, and versatile mode of transport.
Worldwide, the perception of electric bikes has changed, as statistics show e-bike manufacturers have sold over 40 million units, and the figures might grow by a staggering 38% by 2024.
So what is it that's making Electric bikes so popular?
Serious Celebrity Endorsement
Last year Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton launched her electric bike brand, giving the bike the much-needed publicity it needed. Olympic gold medalist Sir Chris Hoy has on a few occasions spoken about the advantages of riding an electric bike.
Electric bike manufacturers have capitalized on these endorsements from top celebrities to market their product, making it very popular.
Better Than a Traditional Bike, But Not a Car
An electric bike is more versatile compared to a car or even a motorcycle or a scooter. You can go through mountain passes, forest paths, and traffic jam with ease, in some extreme cases you can decide to carry your bike.
Generally, an electric bike is a better alternative not only to a car but also to a scooter, motorcycle, and other public transport vehicles.
Investment in Your Health
At first glance, one can't associate an electric bike to any physical activities. After all, the motor on the electric bike does all the work. However, a recent scientific study from Norway found that electric bike riders use almost as much effort as a regular bike rider when going around the same track.
The study shows that electric bike riders use 51 percent of their lung capacity compared to 58 percent for regular bikers.
A different study by the University of Bristol found that an electric bike increases their aerobic fitness by about 10.9 percent after 20 weeks of biking, compared to a traditional biker who only increases by 8 percent.
Makes Cycling Accessible to Everyone
Traditionally cycling was not a good activity for older people, people with back problems, cardiac conditions, prosthetic knees, and people who have arthritis.
The electric bike has enabled people of all ages to work on their fitness without straining or injuring themselves.
Families can spend quality time on the road riding together without having to worry. Because if you get tired, you turn on the electric motor and joins the rest of the group.
Helps with Tougher Slopes And long Distances
Advancement in technology and increased battery life has made it possible for electric bikes to cover longer distances of up to 50 km on a single charge. Research has shown that electric bikes have given bike riders the confidence to tackle tougher slopes. Knowing very well they have the electric motor back-up in case they need it.
Participants in the research used the electric bike for shopping, commuting, and recreational activities such as cycling up a hill.
Before electric bikes used to be considered relatively tricky to handle but with technology improving rapidly newer and lighter E-bikes are increasingly replacing the traditional bicycles.
Biking is Fashionable
Another reason that has made electric bikes popular is that it's fashionable. “Everyone is doing it, and I will do it too!”
Some of the most notable icons that have embraced this mode of transport include Hollywood stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Leo Schreiber, Miley Cyrus, and Naomi Watts. Others include Olympic track cycling Champion Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton.
Bottom line is electric bikes are here to stay, and it's unlikely that their newfound popularity will die any time soon. Thanks to technology, electric bikes have been accepted worldwide by people from different walks of life. Young people, older people, people with disables and environmentalists all over the world have fallen in love with the electric bike.