SCENIC Introduction to Electric Bikes
Recently Electric bikes have burst onto the cycling scene in what I personally think is a good thing for the world of cycling. As a lifelong cyclist I know a lot of other cyclists, the purists, think this is a form of cheating but to me an Electric bike opens up the joy of cycling to people who didn't think they could. So older people, people with low confidence in their cycling or people with physical health issues. And I see this every time I take a trip out on my bike, I see a lot more people, especially older people out and about enjoying the outdoor space on an Electric bike. And they get everything that comes with this, better fitness, increased muscle strength, improved joint mobility, decreased stress levels, better posture, weight loss, and basically all round improved health. And with this come the joys of the outdoors along with the improved social interaction from just being out of the house. So heres our take on the benefits of Electric bikes.
Fitness
Electric bikes are pedal assist so you pedal as normal and the motor will only power in to assist your pedaling and this assistance will increase as needed, so when travelling uphill or into the wind. Also E-Bikes will allow you to control the amount of assistance the motor provides from something like an eco-mode to a full power assist. So if you're just starting out on a fitness plan you might go for full power to help you but as your fitness levels and strength improve you can reduce the assist level and be capable of going on longer journeys. Hills and headwinds can be a put off to cycling or just spoil your enjoyment so an Electric bike helps overcome the problems that might cut your journey short or even stop you from starting out. So whereas you might think an Electric Bike will hamper your fitness plan you will find it will actually help it, removing the stresses of cycling will mean you are likely to exercise more, travel further and just enjoy the whole experience a lot more.Save Money
Switch to an Electric Bike and you could save on fuel costs, parking, public transport costs or even lose the car completely. Plus the UK government has the cycle to work scheme where you could save up to 40% of the cost of a new bike. Basically you buy your Bike Tax Free, which is an incentive in itself. Click here to see the government scheme.
Mental Health
Now more than ever people are appreciating the joys of the outdoors and the benefit that fresh air and exercise bring. Electric bikes remove some of the hard work of cycling leaving you free to enjoy the scenery around you and the company of Friends and Family on shared trips.
Inclusive
Maybe you used to ride in a group or you've wanted to go on rides with friends but your fitness didnt match theirs. Well an Electric bike opens up the opportunities to get back on your bike and join in on their rides without feeling you're holding them back or you're not good enough to keep up. Maybe your partner and kids go for rides and you don't feel its something you would enjoy, well again an Electric bike will help bring back the fun of the ride without the hard work that might of put you off. Whatever it is that has held you back from joining in on rides can hopefully be overcome by the use of an Electic bike and this is why I see these bikes as one of the best improvements in the cycling world in a long time and why I'm a big fan of them due to the availability and inclusiveness they provide.
Go Green
Ditching the car and going by bike is the ultimate green friendly mode of transport. So if you want to do more for the environment then taking the bike is a great option. Using an Electric bike means you wont arrive to work tired or sweaty Panniers can easily be fitted if you need to carry a few things and modern cycle wear means you can get great weather proof clothing for when the days get colder and wetter.
Control
Some people get worried that they won’t have full control over the bike. Well as mentioned earlier these are pedal assisted bikes which means the motor only kicks in to assist your pedalling and you are always in total control. Its not like a motor bike, stop pedalling and the motor stops assisting. Also UK law limits the motor to stop assisting after approximately 15mph and most bikes allow you to choose the level of assistance so picking a lower level of assistance will decrease your assisted speed even more.
Range
Nowadays a good Electric Bike can have a range upto 80 miles and a bike like the Specialized Vado SL also comes with a range extender option so can go up to go 120 miles. Thats a lots of miles you can go and explore on before you need a recharge.
