Electric bikes and electric cycling
Page Description: Whether you are running errands, going to work, having fun, exercising, or competing, using an electric bike is a great option. Just like cycling with normal bikes, electric cycling provides the added advantage of ease and speed. There’s a misconception or rather confusion about electric bikes and electric cycling. As you read further, you’ll understand what electric bikes are and how they operate. You’ll also understand the benefits of electric cycling, the best time to cycle, and how safe it is to work out with an electric bike.
What are electric bikes?
Electric bikes, popularly referred to as e-bikes are bicycles with sensors, electric displays, batteries, and motors that assist with pedaling. In some cases, some e-bikes have throttles. Unlike what most people think, electric bikes don’t work on their own. It needs pedaling to function.
The technology of an electric bike is like a support system that helps you move faster with less stress. The motor of an e-bike is activated when you start pedaling. When you pedal, it triggers the sensor which then signals the motor that the bike is in motion and its assistance is needed to enhance cycling. The energy that powers the motor when in motion is stored in the battery. Hence, the need to recharge after every ride.
Electric bikes are designed to offer three to five levels of assistance which gives you control of the e-bike and tailors its speed to your preference. The levels of assistance range from a gentle push to a mild increase in speed, a burst of energy, and a high speed that propels the e-bikes to climb hills.
Although the motor of an electric bike propels it to move faster, the overall functionality of the e-bike still depends on how much you pedal. This is because pedaling triggers the motor to function. You don’t have to pedal although your ride, but from time to time you pedal to keep the motor in motion.
Types of electric bikes
Electric bikes are classified based on purpose and features. According to purpose, e-bikes are classified into four types, and according to features, they are classified into three types.
Types of e-bikes according to purpose
- Commuter e-bikes: These are used for daily activities like going to work, running errands, exercising, and going on little trips within the town. They are designed to go far and fast—they can go on long trips and can ride as fast as 28mph. Commuter electric bikes have comfortable seats, narrow tires that enhance their efficiency, and body frames that make it easier to hop on and off the bikes. Some even come with lights, and carriages that can hold laptops, groceries, clothes, and lightweight luggage.
- Cruiser e-bikes: These are e-bikes used for recreational activities such as cycling competitions, exercise, evening hangouts, and fun activities with loved ones. Cruise e-bikes have comfortable seats that are wider than the other types of e-bikes, high handles that help the rider to sit in an upright sitting position, wide tires that foster grips, and suspension systems that help to absorb shock. They also come with frames designed for easy maneuvering, and steps that make it easy for people with leg problems to hop on and off the bike.
- Road e-bikes: These types of e-bikes are similar to cruiser bikes, but they are lightweight, have drop handles and narrow tires, and are designed to run on paved or tarred surfaces.
- Mountain e-bikes: These are e-bikes designed for adventurous people seeking to have fun and enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes with doing some fun but dangerous activities. They have wide tires and flat handles designed to give the rider or cyclist control of the e-bike in rocky or not-so-smooth areas. They are designed to make climbing and going down hills faster and more exciting.
Types of e-bikes according to features
- Pedal Assist (Class 1): This is probably the most common class of e-bikes. It requires you to pedal the e-bike before the motor can come to life, and once you reach 20mph speed, the motor stops to assist. Some pedal assist comes with a throttle, but for Class 1 e-bikes, they rarely do.
- Throttle (Class 2): Throttle e-bikes don’t require pedaling to get the motor to assist. The throttle triggers the motor into action, and when the bike reaches the 20mph speed limit, the motor stops assisting pedaling.
- Speedometer (Class 3): This class of e-bikes is similar to Class 1 e-bikes because they require pedal assistance. The difference is that Class 3 e-bikes have a speedometer integrated into their system that makes it pedal up to 28mph before it would stop to assist. They are the fastest e-bikes and are legal to use.
Electric Cycling
Electric cycling means riding an electric bike for recreation, sports, or transportation. The word ‘cycling’ is used mostly in sports. As a sports term, electric cycling means racing with electric bikes. It takes place in forms like road racing, mountain biking, track racing or cycling, and Bicycle motocross (BMX).
Cycling is an exciting, thrilling, interesting, but dangerous sport. However, what’s fun without some thrillers? The dangerous part of cycling is dependent upon location and speed. The legal maximum speed for most e-bikes is 20mph, but cyclists who ride for sports or transportation go as fast as 28mph. Thus, enhancing the thrilling effect experienced in racing.
Benefits of electric cycling
1. Improved physical health
Electric cycling is a form of exercise that engages your arms and leg joints. Since electric cycling still requires pedaling, it exercises the bones and muscles of the legs and hands, leading to improved joint motion, burning of calories, weight loss, enhanced mobility, and improved endurance.
Electric cycling is good for people managing and recovering from chronic diseases. Since they don’t have the strength to do high-intensity exercise, electric cycling will help them gradually restore their strength without overworking them.
2. Improved heart health
Cycling is an aerobic exercise, and aerobic exercises help to improve heart health. It improves heart function, enhances blood circulation, prevents heart-related diseases, and helps to manage heart-related diseases such as stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, and type 2 diabetes, amongst others.
3. Enhance sleep
Electric cycling is a form of exercise, and exercise relieves stress. Once a person is stressed, sleeping might become difficult. But cycling relieves stress, making the person relaxed and able to sleep well.
4. Boost the Immune system
Exercise and physical activities help to boost the immune system. Exercise prevents the development of some diseases, making the immune system focus on developing itself instead of exerting its strength through fighting off the antibodies.
5. Weight loss
Cycling helps to break down and burn fat, which is a crucial part of the weight loss journey. Burning fat is difficult, but cycling enhances metabolism, leading to the breakdown and burning of fat in the human body.
Other benefits of electric cycling include:
- It is easier and safer
- It can be an alternative to a car
- It boosts mental health
- It improves balance, coordination, and posture
- It prevents health issues
- It reduces pollution
- It helps to cut costs
- Enhance fitness and overall body wellness.
What is the best time of the day to cycle?
Anytime. You can cycle at any time of the day you prefer best. Some people prefer cycling in the morning because morning exercise energizes your body and prepares you for the day’s activities. Morning cycling also helps to beat the traffic, enjoy the serenity of the environment, and enjoy favorable weather conditions.
Evening cycling is also great because studies show that people who cycle in the evening perform higher than people who cycle at other times of the day. Evening cycling is often recommended for weight loss journeys and enhanced speed performance.
In summary, working out any time of the day is fine as long as you achieve your goal of cycling. When choosing a time, pick a time that best suits your preference or your What’s the Best Time of Day for Cycling? reason for cycling. Also, ensure that the timing is safe to avoid accidents and harmful situations like robbery.
Is it safe to work out on an electric bike?
Yes, you can work out on an electric bike. An electric bike is a regular bicycle with a motor. So, you can do with your electric bike, anything you do with your normal bike. That’s to say if working out is possible with a normal bike, you can work out using an electric bike.
Electric bikes are great for exercising, especially for the aging population or people with health challenges, because the motor assists them when pedaling. So they don’t get to do much work. Generally, cycling is a soft exercise that’s beneficial to human well-being. Cycling with an electric bike is an added advantage because it makes working out easier.
Conclusion
Cycling with electric bikes is the same as cycling with a normal bicycle. It is easy, fun, and beneficial to human health. Electric bikes are pricier than normal bikes, but if you can get one especially if you have health issues that don’t need much stress, it is worth every penny.
The health benefits of cycling cannot be overemphasized. Hence, it is necessary to include it in our daily routine. At least 30 minutes each day at your preferred time is enough to set you on the path of living a healthy lifestyle.
References
What is an electric bike and how do they work?
What Is an E-Bike?