Electric Bikes a Better Workout than Pedal Power?
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 03. 3.06
Often when we do a story of electric bikes, e-bikes, power assist bicycles or whatever you want to call them, we have comments about how impractical the idea is. But just occasionally a brave commenter will suggest it could be great for someone not in perfect health. Well, it would seem that an Australian study has found that even for a fit 22 year old, riding an e-bike can actually improve one’s health, more so than either travelling by car (of course) or pedal pusher. “... the ebike offered an exercise regime not all that different than the conventional bike; and at closer inspection, the workout offered by the pedal-assist bike actually turned out to be better for you than the conventional bike”. Appears the extra weight of the electric bike requires a bit more effort to propel normally, but this is compensated for on the uphills when the ride is power assisted. The overall effort is therefore more constant, with less sudden strain on the cyclist’s cardiovascular system. "These results have implications with regard to the suitability of power assisted bicycles compared to a conventional bicycle and car. While driving in a car offers no exercise potential, the power-assisted bicycle tested here provides a moderate level of exercise, which does provide a cardiovascular workout and uses fat as an energy source. Riders are unlikely to be overly fatigued after riding, presenting this as a viable alternative for people wanting to ride to work, the elderly or those who are not fit." Although the study is couple of years old, we have seen little mention of it elsewhere, so thought you might be intrigued. Read more at ::Village Energy
(Don’t recall how I happened upon this, so apologies to any tipster or blog I may’ve neglected to acknowledge.)
This just in... owning a treadmill is better for you than not owning a treadmill...
Dragging a center block behind you when you walk is also more healthy than not doing so...
I will agree with the article in this respect:
If you pedal it, an electric bike is probably better for you than a regular bike over the same distance. However, a headline like Electric Bikes more healthy than regular bikes is a story lead more appropriate for a local six o'clock newscast.
What do you mean, "if you pedal it"?
If you don't pedal it, it doesn't go. Electric bikes are universally underpowered, because the battery and motor weight have to be balanced against the overall weight.
I've seen people tearing along on a bike powered by a deafening two-stroke without pedaling, but one can't substitute the same energy density with an electric motor that one gets out of petroleum.
Not to mention, the people who make electric bikes are overly optimistic about how much power one gets out of an electric bike, such that the advertised numbers are the most ideal numbers possible.
I could practically walk faster than riding an electric bike without pedaling.
Electric Penguin, that so steams me, what you just did there.
TH people, I am commenting now purely to provide some sort of POSITIVE reinforcement for posts like this. TH's bike/e-bike posts are some of my favorites in general. TH inspired me to purchase both a used bike and a home bike exercise machine in the past year.
I am considering getting one of these e-bikes for my relatively short, flat commute. One of the other nice benefits of the e-bike for commuting is that the assist would prevent you from sweatin' up your work clothes.
Here in Los Angeles, the traffic is pretty daunting. I have been nervous about safety and it's holding me back. But I just saw two e-bike commuters along my work route yesterday and I am getting more convinced every day.
I just wish it was easier to buy them retail here, try out the different products, etc.
"I could practically walk faster than riding an electric bike without pedaling."
Do you see the ad in the upper right of Treehugger for the eGo cycle? You can't peddle it, but it's all-electric and does up to about 25 mph with about a 25 mile range.
I don't think there are any people who can walk that fast, nor are there many bicyclists (besides Lance Armstrong types) who could maintain that velocity over a 25 mile range.
Keep in mind that they limit the power of that vehicle in order to conform with some states' laws that allow it to ride on bike paths and/or be considered a bicycle, so one could easily make something faster with greater range.
One could also add moped-like pedaling into it, if one wanted to, that would help supplement charge and range, though moving that much mass would be cumbersome without assist from the electric motors.
A few months ago, EV World had an article from someone who had a Wavecrest e-bike. They were using it to run their errands and such. They wore a heart monitor with it for a while, to see what kind of workout they were getting.
They found that, with a regular bike, their heartrate would frequently go out of the "target zone." By this, I mean, sometimes they had to pedal very hard (exceeding the target zone) and sometimes they got to go easy (falling short). With the e-bike, they had to pedal consistently, which put their heart into the target zone, but the bike ate the hills (which had put them past the target zone one a regular bike) and recharged on the easier sections (where the regular bike put them below the target zone). In short, a steadier, more consistent, healthier workout.
While that article could be considered anecdotal, this is a more scientifically run study. Nice to see that they bear each other out.
My story is that while thin and having good blood pressure, I've always had high cholesterol (265 at one point). Based on articles like this one at Science, I decided not to care:
http://nasw.org/mem-maint/awards/01Taubesarticle1.html
Until I started bike riding very frequently I thought it was OK to eat eggs 2-3 times a week, and eat beef, pork, and chicken in rotation.
Later I started riding a lot. I basically walk or bike an hour every day. I started eating eggs every day and running my barbecue just about every day. I also ate walnuts every day, tried to use olive oil etc., beans in my burritos (with eggs and/or meat) ... but still I wasn't working at this at all. Cheeseburgers with fries were common.
Well, just this week a got a blood test. I was shocked to come up "normal" in all regards.
So ... electric bikes I don't know, but regular bikes and walking ... might let you have your barbecue and eat it too ;-)
(I am not a doctor, I'm not telling you what will work for you, I'm just saying what I was really surprised to find worked for me.)
We'll I don't have any pride issues about riding an electric bike to work. For me I have to ride 3 pretty long hills to get home and the electric bike gives me the little help I need to go from just putting of cycling at all and actally driving (carpooling with my wife) or taking a long bus ride. Even if you are against E-bikes, its still one less car on the road, less polution (even a Prius isn't a ZEV) and I do provide about 75% of the energy to make the bike move. As far as the extra wait, my system add about as much weight as my laptop would. And most bikes are fighting drag, not pure weight.
Plus, in Seattle I am using Hydro-electric power at night.
If I get back to the point where I can cycle all the way home with out breaking a sweat then great! I think E-bikes have many practicle uses especailly for commuting. While that concept might seem like and Oxymoron, it isn't for people who cycle on a daily basis. I would consider automatic fish feeders, Segways, the Snooze button far more devistating inventions.
We'll I don't have any pride issues about riding an electric bike to work. For me I have to ride 3 pretty long hills to get home and the electric bike gives me the little help I need to go from just putting of cycling at all and actually driving (carpooling with my wife) or taking a long bus ride. Even if you are against E-bikes, its still one less car on the road, less pollution (even a Prius isn't a ZEV) and I do provide about 75% of the energy to make the bike move. As far as the extra wait, my system add about as much weight as my laptop would. And most bikes are fighting drag, not pure weight.
Plus, in Seattle I am using Hydro-electric power at night.
If I get back to the point where I can cycle all the way home with out breaking a sweat then great! I think E-bikes have many practical uses especially for commuting. While that concept might seem like and Oxymoron, it isn't for people who cycle on a daily basis. I would consider automatic fish feeders, Segways, the Snooze button far more devastating inventions.
I have commuted to work (nine miles one way) for the past two years, stoping only when the roads/trails are too ice covered to make it practical for a road bike which can not accept studded ice tires. Usually counts out about Half of January and February here in Minnesota.
While I have not worn a hart rate monitor while doing this, there is no reason that a rider could maintain a target heart rate if they chose as long as the bicycle has more than one gear!
The secret is to just go slower than you might want to on hills.
Therefore, the only way that an electric assit bicycle would provide more total calories burned over a given distance, is that it is heavier than a regular bicycle.
Amen Lil' Hugger. Took the words right out of my mouth. For those of us that get our power via natural gas or coal, ebikes are not ZEVs. I agree that disabled people might find this a welcome alternative. But most people who commute to work are not disabled. Biking does get you sweaty, but that means you have to get to work a little early. I have a set of biking clothes and a set of work clothes. That keeps me fresh.
There are different "target zones" for the health goals you are trying to achieve. And as Lil' Hugger put it, just get used to changing gears.
Those who ride electric bikes know this article rings true. A healthy person can get a good workout on an electric bike. The power assist is simply that... an assist. You choose when to apply the juice, so it really just makes the bike more versatile. You turn up the juice to extend range and take the edge off when travelling up hill. You also have the option of getting sweaty if you choose to.
"I could practically walk faster than riding an electric bike without pedaling."
I assume you dont know much about electric bikes then. It is possible to have electric bikes which do 30mph+, if you really wanted.
My electric bike can do 20mph, using a 36V 8Ah battery pack. and I use it to commute to work and back. One way is about 18 miles and takes about 1 hour, which is pretty good for London traffic.
I started riding my retrofit e-bike to work (6 mi one way)around 2 months ago. I ride to work with out assist and when I ride home its mostly electric. I work a graveyard shift and my job is some what physical, so I'm tired and I want to get to bed. Without the "e" in my bike, I wouldn't ride. If your not fat and lazy like me then you have fun without the motor. As for me, I'm loosing weight and I like riding again :-)
How to choose tablets for downturn of a blood pressure. Whether they are dangerous? How to coordinate their reception? Whether it is possible to accept often? WBR LeoP
"If you don't pedal it, it doesn't go." This is bunk. I have an an inexpensive electric bike, 450A, 24v motor, and it works fantastically for my 7 mile commute to work. Sometimes I pedal, sometimes I pretend to pedal, and sometimes I just let the bike do the work. I'm out of my car because of it, and I emit less than 1% of the CO2. It costs about a penny a mile.
It's not some goofy contraption like a Segway.
For those talking about how impractical an electric bike is, tell that to 20 million Chinese, or to the growing cabal of Americans having a great time on them. Have you tried one yet? It's a better ride than you think.
Finally, for the bike purists: sure, I see your point. But which would you rather have - electric bikes or SUVs?
Can You Really Exercise on an Electric Bike? It may interest your readers to know Village Energy has posted two more related articles, as follows:
The Benefits of Riding an E-BikeElectric Bikes - Practical transportation for errands and short commutes
I wrote at length about the need for a safe peddle-driven vehiclle for elderly persons who cannot walk or simple cannot walk distances but who could benefit from something better than the electric carts they wind up with. I do noot know whether my comments got throught because before I finished, I was cut off. But a cycle-driven venhicle set onna heavy tip resistant platform similar to those of electric carts would be a terrific contribution to elederly persons, especially with back and balance problems, still capable of using their legs. The mobility and eexercise would keep them both alive and emotionally better off.
does the bike bat recharge its self while you ride it
does the bike bat recharge its self while you ride it
Revised version of earlier post with new operative links
Can You Really Exercise on an Electric Bike? It may interest your readers to know VillageEnergy.com has additional related articles, as follows:
The Benefits of Riding an E-BikeGIANT'S new Twist FREEDOM DX human/hybrid/electric bike
I'd rather have an electric bike, than have a smoky, stinky, gas-guzzling SUV ANY day of the week! I don't drive cars...AND I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE CARS OR SUV'S...Driving is TOO EXPENSIVE and TOO DANGEROUS for the likes of me...give me a good CHEAP, SAFE electric bicycle, and I'm ONE HAPPY CAMPER!!! ;-)