Studies have shown that you do burn significant calories when riding an electric bike. A test was undertaken where a rider wore a heart rate monitor whilst riding for one-hour over moderately hilly terrain. The same electric bike was riden over the same terrain with the electric bike using a throttle assist on the steeper inclines for the first trip and on the second trip with no electrical assistance.
The results were quite surprising. When the rider used the power assist he burned 444kcal over a 1 hour period. When using no power assist he burned 552kcal. So when riding with electrical assistance the result was on 20% less calories burned.
There is also a body of research evidence which also shows that people who buy ebikes end up riding many more miles than those who buy regular bikes. This is for the simple reason that it is more enjoyable. The effect is even more pronounced with women.
There is also other research that confirms the health benefits of electric bikes. A study done by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder has shown that cycling regularly on an electric bike provides people with an effective workout and improves cardiovascular health. The point of the research was to see whether pedelecs could help physically inactive people achieve the recommended daily exercise levels. Lead author and researcher James Peterman said:
“Commuting with a pedelec can help individuals incorporate physical activity into their day without requiring them to set aside time specifically for exercise.”
The truth is if it is more fun we are far more likely to keep it up. Electric bikes are a whole lot of fun and that is why people ride them more consistently and reap the health benefits more regularly. So if you want to become more active and integrate exercise into your daily life without the stress of worrying if you can make it up the hill or make it all the way home and electric bike is a great place to start.