Bicycles are a great mode of transport as they’re inexpensive and help in preserving the environment. An e-bike is an electrically assisted bicycle that has been equipped with a motor to help the cyclist with pedaling. The number of cyclists who own electric bikes has been on the rise that it’s now not uncommon to spot one in the city.
How do e-bikes work?
The electric bike has several parts which include an electric motor, battery, cycling system, pedaling sensor, and control. The battery is rechargeable and supplies the motor with power. Modernized can be charged when riding downhill.
When the cyclist starts pedaling, the sensor detects the action and gets the motor started. This is very helpful, especially when going up steep hills or over long distances.
When the cyclist applies the brakes or stops pedaling, the sensor detects this causing the motor to stop.
The different types of electric bikes are:
1. Complete e-bikes
These are already equipped when you buy them and are, therefore, quite expensive. Again, it can be quite hard to find compatible spare parts for repairs.
2. Convertible traditional bikes
These are easy to convert to electric bikes by adding a kit that’s quite affordable. The process of upgrading your old bike takes very little time and will save you lots of money.
- Foldable e-bikes
These bikes are made in such a way that they can be folded so that they fit in cars or apartments.
Pros and cons of owning an e-bike
In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of owning an electric bike.
The Pros
1. Better fitness
Riding the e-bike regularly improves the rider’s fitness. Generally, any form of activity added to your day’s routine is beneficial even when done moderately.
2. No sweating
You can ride your e-bike to work every morning without having to worry about arriving to work all sweaty. This is because with e-bikes you don’t need to peddle as much – there’s more assistance from the battery power.
- Easier to go uphill
Electric bikes make challenging tasks like going up a hill way easier than riding conventional bikes.
- More acceleration
An e-bike will effortlessly reach higher speeds especially when you’re riding on smooth roads.
These bikes are really convenient especially during rush hours as they help the rider to maneuver through traffic and get to work faster.
2. Makes it easy to carry heavy loads
With electric bikes, you can easily carry a passenger or multiple bags without straining.
3. No problems with parking space/parking fees
You will no longer get stranded when you can’t find a parking spot. Bike racks are strategically located close to the office door and the best part is that you don’t need to pay for parking.
- No registration, insurance, or license needed
You do not require a license, registration, or insurance to ride an electric bike as long s you do not exceed the specified power and speed rating for our area.
- Inexpensive to maintain
These bikes can be charged from any standard outlet and the repair costs are generally on the lower side.
You have very little to worry about making your rides stress free which improves your daily mood.
The Cons
1. High initial cost
The cost of e-bikes is very high compared to conventional bikes. However, as demand grows and more brands enter the market, it’s expected that the prices will go down.
2. Heavy
The batteries and motors on the e-bikes add a significant amount of weight to the bikes. This makes carrying the bike onto buses or up the stairs very difficult.
- Recharging takes up your time
Typically, the batteries require about 3 to 4 hours to get fully charged. This is quite inconveniencing compared to conventional bikes that don’t need to be charged.
Also, if you don’t use the bike regularly, its battery’s health will deteriorate.
Conclusion
Even though electric bikes have some downsides, it’s quite obvious that the pros outweigh the cons. The most important thing is that it provides an affordable means of transportation in a world where gas prices have no sign of ever going down and traffic doesn’t seem to improve.
Electric bikes do not only offer a great alternative to traditional bikes also save you the trouble of buying cars, taking care of insurance, and parking fees. These bikes also help riders of all ages to improve physical fitness without working up a sweat.