What is the point of having an electric bike?

E-bikes add a fun element to cycling, but do they still provide a solid workout? We delved into the research to uncover the truth.

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The surge in electric bike (e-bike) popularity is unmistakable, particularly as gas prices continue to rise. However, one group that appears cautious about this trend is avid cyclists and fitness enthusiasts. For those who enjoy ‘type II fun,’ using an e-bike, which provides pedal-powered battery assistance, may feel less satisfying—considered by some as an easy way out of challenging climbs and the endurance needed for a demanding ride.

Nevertheless, the real charm of e-bikes lies in their inclusivity; they cater to people across various age groups and fitness levels, allowing more individuals to experience the joy of cycling. While they tend to be pricier than standard bicycles, numerous incentive programs exist, particularly aimed at low-income individuals. Furthermore, with the emergence of e-bike lending libraries and an increasing number of all-electric bike share systems, owning or accessing an e-bike is becoming more feasible. Notably, using an e-bike can significantly reduce car trips, evidenced by a study showing that e-bike owners replaced about half the miles typically traveled by car with their bikes.

Advocates of e-bikes appreciate the very aspect that some detractors criticize: the combination of a motor and a rechargeable battery that takes on much of the effort. Chris Cherry, a professor who studies e-bike usage, emphasizes that these bikes can attract a diverse array of users. “The most important function of e-bikes is to ease the most challenging parts of biking,” says Cherry. “This helps eliminate the barriers that often deter people from riding, such as steep hills or long distances.”

Due to the lower physical demand on joints and muscles, e-bikes create opportunities for longer rides and greater distances, drawing in people who might otherwise remain sedentary. Although users may not engage in high-intensity activities like uphill mountain biking, e-bike riding has been linked to the moderate physical activity recommended by healthcare professionals.

Though Cherry is not a fitness expert, he collaborated with exercise scientists on a study that indicated e-bikes can provide avenues for moderate activity on flat and downhill stretches while delivering vigorous exercise when climbing uphill. Exiting findings suggest that e-bikes compare favorably to standard bikes and walking in that they reduce the need for showering afterward and allow riders to dress per the weather conditions, all while requiring less physical exertion and enhancing enjoyment levels.

As Cherry notes, “If you restrict your bike usage to just when you feel energized, as non-e-bike users typically do, you’re not doing your health any favors.” Research indicates that e-bike cyclists tend to ride more often and cover more ground, leading to an overall increase in their physical activity, despite its comparatively lower intensity. A separate study corroborated that, while e-bike riding can evoke vigorous exercise, it may not feel like traditional workouts, and their overall health benefits can vary across different individuals.

Utilizing a Class 2 e-bike—which includes a throttle and can reach speeds of up to 20 mph—makes it possible to ride without pedaling, which could reduce calorie burn. Proper health benefits require engagement in pedaling, and using maximum pedal assist reduces exercise intensity. The previously mentioned study indicated variability in the cardiovascular responses of participants, depending on their pedaling assistance levels—indicating that height, weight, and pedal usage play significant roles in calorie expenditure.

On average, e-bike riders burned about 30% fewer calories than those on traditional road bikes but often reported higher enjoyment levels. This sentiment is echoed across multiple studies, reinforcing the idea that making cycling easier and more enjoyable through pedal assistance encourages more people to integrate it into their daily routines.

While the quantifiable mental health benefits of e-biking are less straightforward, it serves as a joyful mode of transport, allowing individuals to connect more intimately with their surroundings. Various studies highlight the positive effects of outdoor activity on mental well-being, with some suggesting that spending 120 minutes outdoors weekly correlates with improved health levels. Additionally, physical activity enhances not just sleep and mood but also cognitive functionality while alleviating stress and reducing anxiety.

In line with these findings, some Canadian health professionals are now prescribing visits to national parks as part of treatment plans. Anna Wassman from Bosch eBike Systems, known for creating e-bike batteries, motors, and displays, hopes to reach a point where e-bike prescriptions could be considered. Together with Cherry, they are collaborating on a comprehensive and long-term medical study to gather sufficient evidence about the health benefits of e-bikes.

Currently in conceptual stages, their aim is to facilitate the acceptance of e-bikes as vital health and wellness tools within the medical community. “This is an ideal target,” says Wassman, stressing that involvement from insurance companies and employers will be critical in realizing this vision.

For older populations or individuals experiencing pre-existing conditions or joint discomfort, e-bikes offer low-impact ways to maintain health and wellness. Emerging research suggests outdoor e-bike exercise can be beneficial for those recovering from strokes, spinal cord injuries, or conditions like multiple sclerosis and other motor function disorders. However, it is worth noting that e-bikes can be costly, making them inaccessible for some individuals; a concern given that socioeconomic status significantly influences health conditions like hypertension and obesity.

In Portland, Oregon, Biketown initiated a prescribe-a-bike program to facilitate e-bike accessibility and improve community health. Partnering with health departments and clinics, this pilot program offers free bike share memberships paired with educational guidance, free helmets, and bike sharing for clinic patients and teenagers. As confirmed by transportation expert Roshin Kurian, the programs currently serve underprivileged populations residing in areas known for poor health outcomes.

So far, 58 participants have joined the program, consenting to provide their health survey data and usage metrics. Even though prescribe-a-bike schemes are not new—having been implemented in cities like Boston and Brooklyn, as well as launching a nationwide initiative in the UK—Biketown’s focus on electric pedal-assist bikes is relatively rare. Kurian believes introducing an all-electric bike fleet will encourage higher engagement levels among participants.

“Riding an e-bike brings new confidence; you can climb hills, travel longer distances, and that creates confidence—it serves as a gateway to increased physical activity and positive health changes,” Kurian notes.

Current guidelines from the CDC recommend children aged between 6 and 17 engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily, while adults should aim for 150 minutes weekly, alongside two days of muscle-strengthening activities. Kurian acknowledges that Biketown's prescriptions align with these recommendations, even as they recognize it may feel overwhelming to meet them.

“The recommendations are a benchmark, but any progress toward them is commendable,” Kurian states, adding that using e-bikes can make adhering to these guidelines more attainable.

By concentrating on younger generations and clinic patients with existing health issues, the study aims to verify how electric bikes may serve both preventive and curative purposes for health. Understanding the broader public health savings resulting from a significant shift toward e-bike usage can be complex. One study estimates that bike-sharing programs save the U.S. approximately $36 million annually in public health expenses, indicating that the health benefits for e-bike riders surpass the risks associated, such as pollution or potential accidents.

E-bike share systems have consistently reported greater participation rates; after transitioning to electric options in 2019, Madison BCycle saw its ridership more than double, while in New York City, electric Citi Bikes attract over twice the daily rides compared to traditional offerings. More e-bikes lead to broader public health advantages, highlighting that increased cycling promotes a vision of more walkable, bike-friendly infrastructure, yielding further health-related gains.

A comprehensive transition to e-biking could also result in lower emissions and enhanced safety on roads, as bike-friendly street designs contribute to decreased traffic fatalities. If the widespread adoption of electric bicycles seems improbable, consider that projections show e-bikes in Europe could surpass car sales—regardless of electric versus traditional—by the decade's midpoint. In the U.S., e-bike sales are currently outstripping those of electric vehicles, with an anticipated annual count nearing 1 million.

These findings demonstrate that electric bikes are not just beneficial for individual users; their increased uptake could drastically influence community health and the environment. The more individuals embrace cycling, particularly with electric assistance, the better the outcomes for society as a whole.

Future Electric Vehicles

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