Electric bikes are the future of economical and environmentally friendly transportation. Their convenience and ease of use makes them an ideal alternative to public transportation, and increasing outdoor recreation time, especially with the global pandemic still upon us.
E-bike sales have been growing over the years and will only continue to grow in the near future. According to a market research by NPD Group, e-bike sales jumped 91% from 2016 to 2017 and another 72% from 2017 to 2018. E-bike sales in the US have grown exponentially since 2014. The future looks bright with electric bikes.
Here’s 11 Reasons to Get Stoked About Electric Bikes
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E-bikes make pedaling easier. Electric bikes handle and pedal the same as a regular bike but with electric components that give boost to the human power. As soon as you start pedaling, the sensor activates the motor, making it easier to cruise longer without exerting too much effort or tiring your legs. It also lets you scale the amount of energy spent making it a great way to get back in shape at your own speed.
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E-bikes can go pretty fast…… to a certain extent. It’s no motorcycle but electric bikes definitely go faster than a conventional bike. Depending on the motor’s power, which varies between 200W to 1,000W and the class of ebike, the motor will assist you up to 28MPH. Most people are comfortable at 10-15 MPH so more speed is not always better. You can also control how much assist you get. Most e-bikes come with a PAS(Pedal Assist) selector which lets you adjust the amount of energy you are supplying vs. the bike’s motor.
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You’ll enjoy longer rides without getting as tired. Having an e-bike will motivate you to ride a lot more even if you already ride frequently. The added boost of power with pedal assist and battery pack lets you ride farther and longer without exhausting your legs. You will find longer trips more attractive even when you’re pressed for time. For non-frequent bikers, riding an e-bike opens a whole new world of possibilities. Even if you’re not conditioned to take longer bike rides, you wouldn’t have any problems covering a 10-mile ride with the electric assist. It’s a great way to build endurance and confidence because you can push yourself without FOGBOT (Fear of getting back over tired.)
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There’s an e-bike for everything. There has been a lot of innovation with electric bikes, from an electric road bike to a high-capacity e-cargo bike that can haul 400 pounds of stuff. There’s a lot of variety available in the market. You can be sure that there’s an e-bike for every type of cyclist. When looking for yours, find something that is comfortable and will fit your primary use, you can explore the possibilities from there!
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It can replace driving. Since electric bikes are a great alternative for short distance transportation, a lot of people are opting to buy e-bikes to reduce car trips. Other reasons for choosing electric bikes include carrying cargo and kids, avoiding parking and traffic, and environmental concerns. If you’re just going to the market to grab something or meeting a friend at a nearby cafe, taking an e-bike makes much more sense. An ebike offers a sensible low cost replacement for a second car.
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You still get exercise. While the e-bike does some of the work for you, it still counts as exercise especially for people who have been sedentary. A research in Colorado University found that 20 non-exercising men and women e-biked about 40 minutes three days a week, and within just a month their cardiovascular fitness and blood sugar improved. You can still get exercise with an e-bike even if you’re very fit and in excellent shape. You can just go farther. Its like being bionic. Get in more miles more often.
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The batteries are getting better. We get it, it’s another device to charge. Most batteries on the market can get you 30-50 miles before it needs to recharge. Where you find yourself in that range depends on the size of the battery and how much power the motor needs. Safe to say, if you need more power assist then it’s going to burn more juice than if you use the more economical setting. Just like any other device, the ebike batteries will only improve in time. Look for a bike that has a setting to see what amount of battery you are using while you are riding so you can manage your use better.
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They’re not cheap, but can save you money. E-bikes out on the market aren’t cheap. But using an ebike for short rides and quick errands saves you cash for car maintenance, gas money, insurance and parking. You also gain health benefits resulting in “wellness” savings such as fewer sick days and less trips to the doctor.
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The future of transportation. Most of the major bike manufacturers are already producing electric bicycles, and car companies aren’t far behind. Ford bankrolled an electric bike-share system in San Francisco, and GM launched two e-bikes of their own. Big transportation players like Uber and Lyft are seeing massive success with e-bikes, it’s no question why more and more companies are jumping on the e-bike game. With the current traffic congestion dominating the streets, e-bike use may only continue to expand.
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You can even race them. It’s not that crazy. With the e-bike market exploding in Europe, the European Cycling Union created a new racing circuit for e-bikes during the 2019 season. Rest assured when you race your bike enthusiast friends you will do very, very well!
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You’ll feel young again. Remember when you first learned how to ride a bicycle? It was exhilarating using a simple machine to cover distance faster than any human could run. It was freeing to expand your possible circle of travel, and you made time to bike because of these things….. have that again! It’s an activity we rarely get to do or have time for when we become adults. Owning an e-bike will motivate you to take regular bike rides with a smile on your face. People who have taken our Cruiser Bikes for a spin enjoyed the experience, but don’t take our word for it.
Are you stoked about e-bikes as much as we are? If you’re new to the e-bike scene, it’s important to note that while you never forget how to ride a bike, an e-bike is not exactly the same. It’s heavier and faster, so please keep in mind to be extra careful and take precaution to enjoy your ride safely.
Ebikes can also be a bit confusing. Check with us to see what equipment might suit you best. We want the best for you on our bike or any bike. Call today to find out more!