Electric bikes are growing in popularity. E-bike sales grew by 145% in the country last year. There are a wide range of benefits to electric bikes. An e-bike features pedal assist that provides power from its motor, helping reduce effort required to propel it, while improving pedaling efficiency.

Electric bikes are good for the environment. Unlike diesel- and gas-powered vehicles, an e-bike does not contribute to air and noise pollution and does not require fuel.

E-bikes have started a global revolution. Millions of people around the world have rekindled their love for biking using electric bikes.

Regular exercise is important, yet many of us are unable to make time for it. An electric bike can help you stay in shape. E-bikes make exercise fun, not a chore. Riding around your city on your e-bike is a fun way to get exercise.

An e-bike allows you to exercise your core and build stamina without overworking your joints and muscles. Riding an e-bike regularly will help improve your cardiovascular health and the efficiency of your lungs. Like other exercises, riding an e-bike can help reduce your risk for cancer and other health issues.

A study shows that electric bike riders get more exercise than cyclists. But remember, you won’t get fit without pedaling. If you want to lose a few pounds, balance between the pedal assist and the power you use to propel your bike.

Here are some ways to use your e-bike to get and stay fit.

Ride Regularly

Health experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise every week.

Persistence is key to success. Get out more often and have fun riding your electric bike. Ride your bike at least 30 minutes, 3-5 times a week. Once you start riding more often, results will begin to pour in.

If you are unable to fit biking into your daily routine, use your e-bike for transportation. To get exercise twice a day, five days a week, commute to work on your e-bike.

Take it Slow

If you are a beginner or are planning to start after a long break, start slowly, taking incremental steps, instead of being too ambitious. Take short rides on easy routes. Do not push yourself too hard or you could inadvertently end up overworking your muscles or joints and get injured.

Increase your ride distance slowly. Before increasing your cycling miles, assess your capabilities and your bike’s capabilities (its drive range). Health benefits gained from riding an e-bike for short distances regularly are significantly more than riding it once in a while for hours.

Explore

Who says you can’t have fun while exercising? An e-bike can help you have fun and go on an adventure while exercising without even realizing it. To make your workouts feel more fun, explore your city on your e-bike. Meet new people and visit new places, while burning calories.

Many people stop exercising and fall off the fitness bandwagon because their workout sessions become monotonous. With an e-bike, you will never run out of ideas to make your workout sessions more fun and engaging.

Plan Your Route

If you are a beginner or are out of practice, take routes that aren’t too demanding at first or you might overexert yourself. Even with a motor, you could strain your muscles and joints and lose interest in biking quickly.

Avoid challenging, uneven terrains. They will test your biking skills as well as your endurance. Avoid cycling uphill. Choose trails, flat roads and routes that won’t overexert you. Take time to build endurance and assess the varying levels of assistance your e-bike can offer.

Power Down

To get the most out of your workout, reduce the assist level you’re using on your rides. Avoid using your throttle frequently. When you use the pedal assist at a low level, you are able to increase your riding distance on each charge without overexerting your muscles.

A high level of assist will not just make your workout less efficient, it will also deplete your battery faster. Use the highest level of assist when riding on steep, technical terrains.

Many e-bikes have an Eco assist mode. In this mode, the controller analyzes several factors (including power output and speed and battery level) to determine the level of assist required.

If your bike has an Eco assist mode, use it to determine the right assist level, but do not get stuck into a particular assist mode. Increase or reduce your assist level as required.

Plan Your Recovery

Many e-bike riders fail to realize that a long, challenging ride can be as tiring on an e-bike as a conventional bike.

You might feel tired and exhausted after a long, challenging ride. To avoid straining your muscles, take a break after a grueling ride. Give your body enough time to recover. If you experience pain after a ride or are injured, ice or heat treat your injury.

Above all, enjoy yourself. Ride with a partner, family or friends. Have fun with natural obstacles. Instead of taking the regular route, consider trying new paths and roads to make your rides more adventurous. Make stops to soak in the charming ambiance of scenic spots along the way.

Things to Consider Before Buying an Electric Bike

➢Battery type and capacity

➢The type and nature of warranty

➢Riding range

➢Motor power

➢Total cost (its upfront cost + maintenance and repair cost)

Overwhelmed by too many choices? Let Mobility Masters help you choose the right electric bike near you. We have a range of e-bikes by leading mobility device manufacturers. To inquire about our products, call (800) 936-7006.