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The Short Answer
Electric bikes are worth it due to their ability to travel longer distances and make pedaling easier, especially for those with joint issues or injuries. They offer physical benefits with minimal effort and are a cheaper and eco-friendly mode of transportation. While they can be expensive and have longer charging times, the overall advantages make them a worthwhile investment.
In case you haven’t heard, e-bikes are booming.
They offer similar health and fitness benefits as regular cycling, while taking the sweat out of hills.
So, what’s not to love?
E-bikes are the marmite of the cycling world. Over the years, they’ve developed a bad rep with enthusiasts. For many cyclists, e-bikes are viewed as pejorative fly-by-night fads, or performative ploys for lazy wannabes.
Whatever your take, we’re here to run you through the pros and cons of this latest trend, and who knows, maybe you’ll come out the other side a lover, not a hater!
1. Are Electric Bikes “Lazy”?
While electric bikes require less effort to ride than regular bikes, several studies have shown that owning an e-bike will result in riders cycling more frequently and over great distances.
“Are electric bikes lazy?” is actually one of the most common e-bike questions. A word of advice: don’t let the words ‘motor’ or ‘throttle’ deceive you. You’ll need to put some work in (especially on steep inclines), so you’ll still be pedaling, getting your heart rate up, and working those calf muscles, too.
The motor is just a pedal assist to get you from A to B quicker. Put simply, it’s boosting the power you’re generating from your own peddling. Think of it as a friendly, helping hand.
2. What’s The Point of Electric Bikes?
E-Bikes make pedalling easier, so you can travel longer distances. If you’ve had an injury, suffer with an illness that affects your joints or you don’t drive, e-bikes are an efficient way to get around. You can improve your fitness level whilst being gentle with your body.
They’re also a more energy efficient and emission free method of transportation. So, if you’re an environmentally conscious traveller, an e-bike could be your new best friend.
3. E-Bikes Pros + Cons
| Pros: E-Bike Advantages | Cons: E-Bike Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Travel Further: Thanks to their electric motors, you can travel further than you might do on a regular bike. | Expensive: E-bikes can be a costly investment, ranging anywhere between £400 to £5,000. |
| Physical Benefits with Minimal Effort: You’ll still get your daily dose of cardio, but you won’t have to work as hard as you would on a regular bicycle (unless you want to – in which case, sweat to your heart’s content!) | Higher Risk of Theft: E-bikes are unique and valuable. Unfortunately, this puts them at a higher risk of theft than regular bicycles. |
| Cheap Transportation: They may be a costly investment, but they’re a cheaper way to get around. You won’t have to worry about parking fees, spaces, or any special licences and registrations. | Charging Takes Time: If you run out of juice, you may be waiting a while to charge back up. Although some tourist regions have e-bike charging stations, they’re not that common yet, so it’s not easy to top up on the go. |
| Eco-Friendly: Every time you hop on your e-bike, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint. They produce zero emissions, and most batteries are made with lithium-ion, which is considered one of the best options currently available. | Costly and Complex Repairs: Because their components are complex, and parts can be hard to come by, you’ll end up paying more for repairs than you would with a regular bicycle. |
4. Why Do Electric Bikes Cost So Much?
E-bikes tend to have more expensive components than regular bicycles. Their batteries and motors are complex and highly engineered, which inflates their retail price.
They’re also a relatively new invention. E-bikes are a niche market, and because consumer demand is still low, manufacturers can’t order parts in bulk. This means they have to pay more to wholesalers and, ultimately, charge you more at the checkout.
However, as demand continues to increase, prices continue to fall. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might even find a great deal or scheme to lower the initial cost even further.
5. Are Electric Bikes Worth It?
Yes! Electric bikes are environmentally friendly, fast, good for the body, and relatively cheap to maintain (compared to cars and motorcycles). Although the initial investment cost can be high, we believe it’s worth it.
You’ll also benefit from something versatile. You don’t have to use the motor on an e-bike, so it can also be used as a ‘regular’ bicycle if you want to chuck on some lycra and get sweaty.
E-bikes may be more expensive than your average bicycle, but they don’t have to break the bank. There are several hybrid e-bikes that you can pick up for under £1000, for example.
Whether you’re a commuter, an adventurer, or a cycling novice, an e-bike could be the perfect fit for you.
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