While some think that electric bikes reduce the amount of physical activity we do when compared to regular bikes, did you know that the opposite is true? With almost 10% of bikes sold in the UK each year now electric rather than traditional, e-bike specialists at Paul’s Cycles have rounded up the UK statistics that will convince you to make the switch.
1. Electric cycling burns more energy than conventional biking
- A study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Physical Health shows that electric bikes allow riders to reach a higher weekly energy expenditure than conventional cycles due to increased distance covered.
2. Regular e-bike usage improves physical fitness
- E-biking can enhance physical fitness by 10% (TRANSITION Clean Air Network).
- Travelling by bike contributes to living longer with less chance of needing hospital treatment for any illness (BMJ).
- A study on the physical benefits of e-bikes showed that a reduction in cardiometabolic risk factors was achieved with just four weeks of e-bike commuting. (Urban Transport Group / PubMed).
3. Electric bikes are key to reducing CO2 emissions
- 39% of UK adults in a sustainable transport survey said that a reason for buying or considering buying an electric bike was to tackle journeys that are ‘too long’ for a conventional bicycle (International Journal of Sustainable Transportation).
- Using e-bikes instead of cars could reduce car CO2 emissions in England by up to 50%, approximately 30 million tonnes annually (CREDS).
- Switching from a daily car journey to an e-bike can save an average 249 g of CO2 for every 1 km travelled (Scottish Power).
4. Electric bikes empower you to make longer journeys
- 39% of UK adults in a sustainable transport survey said that a reason for buying or considering buying an electric bike was to tackle journeys that are ‘too long’ for a conventional bicycle (International Journal of Sustainable Transportation).
- 54.3% choose e-bikes because they are ‘less effort to ride than a conventional bike’ while 26.2% choose them ‘to avoid car parking problems or costs’.
- 25.1% choose e-bikes because they are less expensive than driving, and 15.4% because they are less expensive than public transport.
- In the same survey, 24.7% of respondents cited being unable to ride a conventional bike for long as part of the reason for e-bike purchases.
5. Commuting by e-bike could save you thousands of pounds
- The cost of a good quality electric bike from a reputable retailer which will last for multiple years is comparable to a year’s worth of commuting on the London Underground between zones 1 and 3 (Intelligent Transport).
See the full report for more UK e-bike statistics, review the electric bike buying guide, with helpful tips on how to choose between different bike types, batteries, and activities, or check out the range of e-bikes here.
