The benefits of electric bikes are available to riders of all ages and abilities. Non-sweaty cycle commutes, riding further with less effort, and cheaper travel costs are just a few of the reasons why more people are choosing to power their pedalling.
The pandemic saw a huge rise in demand for all bikes, but especially the e-bike market which rocketed from £150m to £290m between 2019 and 2020 and continued on an upwards trend as the bike boom took hold.
That growth has now slowed but electric bike sales have still tripled over the last five years, with e-hybrid, city and e-mountain bikes accounting for 90% of all e-bike sales in the UK (data from Mintel).
So, with more people choosing the e-bike life, let’s look at the top benefits of riding an electric bike, for the people and the planet.
Do electric bikes provide a good workout?
First off, let’s bust a common e-bike myth. You might think e-bike cycling is cheating, but that’s not true. You still have to pedal to get the power boost so it’s the same great low impact exercise as traditional cycling, just at a lower intensity.
In fact, studies have shown that e-bike riders actually do more exercise than non-powered cyclists, because they’re able to ride for longer, or more frequently with less effort, so the total ride volume is higher.
This is because on a pedal-assist e-bike, the motor only kicks in when you start actually pedalling. The amount of effort you need to put in is dependent on the power mode you select, and every e-bike will come with a range of settings.
That means you can vary the intensity of each ride according to your energy levels, the terrain and distance. You might choose maximum assistance to get up a steep hill, and stay on low power for the rest of the ride, or you could keep it on medium or low throughout the whole duration for a more balanced effort.
So yes, it’s true that riding an electric bike can be less tiring than a non-powered bike, but it’s definitely not cheating!
The only way riding an e-bike would be cheating is if it’s a bike with a ‘twist and go throttle’ which propels you forward without having to pedal at all. Technically these are not classed as e-bikes under UK regulations, and must instead be registered as motorised vehicles with the DVLA.
Read more about the electric bike laws in the UK on our blog.
What are the health benefits of riding an e-bike?
E-bike cycling brings the same physical health benefits as regular cycling, at an even lower impact and intensity. If you’re interested in training zones and improving aerobic endurance, the e-bike is a perfect vehicle for zone 2 training and steady state, low intensity cardio, building heart health and lung capacity.
So while you may burn 20% less calories on an e-bike per ride vs a normal bike, over time, you’ll probably burn more because
As well as making longer rides more accessible at lower intensity, e-bikes open up access to cycling for those who are less able or returning to exercise, with the boost of the pedal-assist motor putting less pressure on the hips, joints and heart.
The health benefits of riding an electric bike also stretch to diabetes management too, and has been used as an effective social lifestyle intervention reducing medication for some patients.
And as well as the physical benefits, e-bikes are also great for mental health, having been proven to significantly lower stress levels in regular cycle-commuters and improve wellbeing and cognitive function in older riders.
More time outside in nature, reduced cortisol (stress hormone), increased serotonin (happy hormone), improved sleep and happiness – what’s not to like!
What muscles does an electric bike work?
Cycling any bike, whether electric or not, is a great low impact exercise for your body to increase muscle hypertrophy. You’re using all the same muscles on an e-bike as you would a traditional bike – the difference is it’s at a lower intensity.
The muscles worked by cycling are predominantly legs, working the quads, glutes, hamstrings and calves, but also your core and back for stability and balance, and foot muscles from pedalling.
The repetitive circular action of pedalling also builds your foot’s range of motion and increases ankle flexion.
And let’s not forget the arms and shoulders, for steering, balance and stability on the bike. You might think you don’t use these muscles when cycling but if you’ve ever been mountain biking on rocky singletrack or done a really long road ride you’ll realise how much work your arms do!
How do e-bikes impact the environment positively?
E-bikes are classed as ‘zero emission vehicles’, which means they don’t contribute to air pollution or global warming, making them a great option for a carbon-cutting commute.
According to e-bike system manufacturer Bosch, the total carbon footprint of an e-bike over its entire serviceable life – that’s from production to recycling – is 15-25g/km, or around 300kg in total. Around 75% of CO2 emissions are produced by materials and manufacturing, 15% during actual use of the e-bike, and 10% during transport, packaging and recycling.
Compare that to the average petrol passenger vehicle which emits approximately 164g of CO2 per km, and it’s clear that e-bikes are a greener alternative.
The average car trip length in the UK according to 2023 government’s National Travel Survey is 6.2 miles (10km), or a 22 minute drive, emitting an average of 164g CO2/km, totalling 1.6kg of CO2 per trip (for petrol vehicles). For diesel it rises to 170g/km or 1.7kg total trip, and for electric vehicles, the average is reduced to 55g/km, totalling 550g each trip.
So if you’re looking for environmental benefits, the e-bike wins, totalling zero emissions for every trip. And swapping even just one trip for a cycle commute could have a significant environmental impact.
Research from Oxford University followed 2,000 city dwellers who changed their travel habits and found that even just swapping the car for cycling to work for one day a week can drastically reduce lifecycle CO2.
Use the car for the school run? Learn about the benefits of e-cargo bikes and if you should buy one in the UK.
What are the lifestyle benefits of riding an electric bike?
Regular cycling can improve your life in so many ways outside of just health and fitness, helping to build community, save money and get around town quickly.
Improved access to cycling
The humble e-bike is a fantastic enabler. It makes cycling accessible for disabled people and people of different ages and abilities.
Wheels for Wellbeing, a UK charity supporting disabled cycling reported that 64% of disabled people find cycling easier than walking, with 59% considering their cycle a mobility aid. Another UK study found e-bikes helped riders in their 60s to cope with physical ailments and build confidence on the road.
E-bikes are also great for mixed-ability group rides and family cycles where different speeds are levelled out with the assistance of a motor.
Cheaper transport
After the initial outlay of purchasing the bike, you can basically travel for free. Most e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries which have a typical lifespan of 500-1000 full charges. That’s up to eight years depending on use – and a lot of money saved on travel!
No fuel costs, no bus or train ticket to buy and no monthly running expenses other than servicing at your local bike shop. The frequency and cost of maintenance depends on how often you ride and how well you look after your bike.
We do recommend getting e-bike insurance though, to protect against theft or accidental damage.
Convenience
On an electric bike, you can go anywhere, any time, at your own pace. That’s the real beauty of any bike, not just an electric one – freedom.
You’re not at the mercy of public transport timetables or traffic. You can jump on your bike exactly when it suits you, and probably sail past the queues to reach your destination quicker (and happier!).
Read how to keep your e-bike batteries safe on our blog.
Pros and cons of e-bikes
In the interests of balance, there are of course some downsides to owning an e-bike. But the pros definitely outweigh them:
Pros
- They enable you to ride further with less effort.
- Non-sweaty cycle commutes!
- Great accessibility for those less able or people returning to physical activity.
- Zero emissions – greener alternative to motorised transport.
- Long battery lifespan with lithium-ion technology.
- Less financial outlay for fuel and maintenance costs.
Cons
- The initial cost of purchasing an e-bike can be a barrier – look for 0% finance deals to spread the cost.
- Some e-bikes can be heavy and awkward to move around or store indoors if you don’t have the room. If this is an issue, look at foldable electric bikes.
- Bike theft is an issue if locking your bike outside. Make sure you insure your e-bike for peace of mind if the worst does happen.
- You do have to be mindful of battery range if going on a super long ride. Make sure your battery is fully charged before heading off.
Discover how our insurance plans can complement your electric bike experience. Learn more about insuring your e-bike with us.
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