Dec
27
Why Electric Bike
Filed Under General
It’s the primary advantage,may sound obvious. A good electric bike effectively flattens hills, increasing your average speed and eliminating the ‘groan’ factor when a gradient comes into view. Provided you supply a reasonable amount of effort, you can expect to climb hills of 1 in 10 (10%) on an electric bike with ease, and clear a maximum gradient of 1 in 7 (14%), or much more. In hilly country, the effect is nothing short of miraculous.
It sounds unlikely, doesn’t it? But the mathematics is compelling. With cars climbing at 30mph,think of a steep and busy road. If you previously slogged up the hill at 6mph, but can tackle the same gradient at 12mph with an electric bike, you will see 33% fewer cars, and they will pass you at 18mph rather than 24mph. Or we think that’s correct at least. Whatever the figures, there’s no doubt that an electric bike or even a folding electric bike helps to keep you out of danger. The faster your acceleration, the sooner you can get out of trouble – the same general principle applies to road junctions. And with no need to rush the hills, you won’t be tempted to ride downhill at breakneck speed… another useful safety feature.
Purchase cost is a little more than a conventional bike, mechanical wear and tear is about the same, and electricity is so cheap as to be largely irrelevant, but there is an extra expense in terms of battery depreciation. Consequently, an electric bike costs more to run – typically 5 – 8 pence per mile against 4.2 pence per mile for a non-assisted bike (a).
However, when the electric bike replaces car mileage,electric bike running costs should really be compared with those of a moped, or a car. An electric bike can save a great deal of money with cars costing 50 – 80 pence per mile.
Surely you wii keep fitter by a conventional bike? That, of course, depends how much – if at all – you use it. With a further 30% being used once a fortnight or even less,research (b) has found that 46% of conventional bikes are used only once or twice a week. By contrast, a recent survey of electric bicycle owners reveals that a third ride their bike at least once a day and 81% use the bike at least once a week (c). The figures confirm our experience that an electric bike typically gets used at least twice as often as a conventional machine.
Because riding an electric bike is a great deal more enjoyable in hilly country, into strong winds, or when carrying heavy loads, users tend to make better use of them. The motor provides up to half the effort, but more regular use means more exercise for the rider.
