One of the most important factors to consider when buying an e-bike is the frequency of riding. This refers to how often you intend to use your e-bike. Depending on your lifestyle, this could be a few short trips per week or one long trip every weekend.
Knowing how you plan to use your e-bike can help you choose the best model. It's also important to know how the e-bike will be used in relation to other modes of transport. Ideally, e-bikes should be a viable alternative to cars and public transport.
In this article, you will learn about the different ways riders use e-bikes and how e-bikes compare to other modes of transport.
How often do you ride your e-bike?
How often you use your e-bike depends on your needs and lifestyle. If you are near your place of work or school then you may use your e-bike several times a week. If not, then you may only use it for weekend off-road adventures.
Below are estimates of riding frequency for different types of e-bike riders:
Daily Commuter
Daily commuters use their e-bike almost every day of the week. They may use it to get to work or school, to the grocery shop, and for other basic local services. Daily commuters may also use public transport (e.g. trains) to travel long distances.
The Bodywel-A275 urban commuter e-bike has a minimalist design and an aluminium alloy frame for a comfortable and stable ride. It is designed for daily urban commuting and shopping trips; it has a 4.5-inch LED large-screen instrumentation and a 250W Anaconda 45N.m noiseless motor; it is also equipped with a 36V15.6AH high quality and large-capacity battery, which makes it easy to achieve a 100-kilometre range. This simple style model is especially suitable for 160-195cm tall middle-aged and elderly people for daily commuting; for this model, we have equipped it with high-quality front and rear oil brakes for safety and security.
Bodywel A275 Key Specifications:
Motor: 36V350W
Battery: 561.6Wh removable lithium-ion battery
Suspension: Front suspension
Weight: 24kg
Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
Maximum Speed: 21mph
Instrumentation: LED display
For weekend outdoor adventures or outing rides
People who use their e-bike on weekends. They may use it for long cross-country trips, as well as fishing, camping and hunting trips. They may also use it only for weekend work assignments.
Occasional riders
Occasional cyclists use their e-bikes a few times a week. Their travel requirements are lower than those of everyday cyclists, meaning they don't have to cycle as often to reach their destination. They may also use their e-bike purely for exercise or recreational purposes.
Seasonal riders
Seasonal riders use e-bikes at specific times of the year. They may only ride in the winter (snow) or summer (when it's sunny and warmer).
As a seasonal rider, you should take extra precautions to care for your battery. Prolonged periods of non-use and non-charging can reduce the performance and life of your battery.
For example, it is recommended to charge an unused battery to 40 to 60 per cent instead of a full charge. This helps maintain battery capacity and extends its life.
There is another way to take care of your e-bike battery: try not to charge it after every ride. Ideally, only charge when the battery is below 40 per cent. Excessive charging can shorten battery life.
What factors affect how often an e-bike is used?
Many factors can affect the use of your e-bike. These include where you live, your travelling arrangements and your ability to get to certain places on your e-bike. The easier it is for you to get to your destination on your e-bike, the more likely you are to use it.
You may also choose to use an e-bike for personal or health reasons.
If your goal is to lose weight, then you may be motivated to ride your bike a few times a week to achieve your fitness goals. Studies have shown that e-bikes are associated with a 16 per cent reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and CVD mortality.
How does e-bike use affect your lifestyle?
Incorporating an e-bike into your lifestyle has many benefits. It can help you be healthier, happier and more productive. Let's explore these benefits in more detail.
Exercise: Although e-bikes are not as intense as traditional bikes, they can still help you reach the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended range of physical activity intensity.
Mental health: studies have shown that e-bikes can help improve our mental health, and a 2019 study found that spending at least 120 minutes a week exercising outdoors was beneficial to physical health.
More versatile: e-bikes allow you to use electric pedal assist (and throttle if equipped) to ride faster and longer than a traditional bike without getting tired. You can also climb steep hills more easily.
How is the use of e-bikes compared to other modes of transport?
Usage of e-bikes compared to other modes of transport
As e-bikes have become cheaper and more popular, they have become a viable alternative to traditional bicycles, public transport and cars. This is especially true for people living in dense urban environments.
Let's see how e-bikes compare to other modes of transport.
E-bikes vs. conventional bikes
There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to e-bikes versus standard bikes.
E-bikes come with a battery that powers the motor and provides additional power for pedalling. This makes it easier to accelerate from a complete stop and climb steep hills. Wide tyre e-bikes also help you navigate rough terrain such as dirt, gravel and snow.
This is not the case with conventional bikes. They require you to pedal hard to reach your destination. This can quickly drain your energy and leave you feeling hot and sweaty after every ride.
E-bikes and public transport
The beauty of an e-bike is that you can still use public transport. However, you can rely less on it. For example, instead of taking a bus, you can cycle to the train station and then still take a regular train.
By spending more time cycling and less time on public transport, you can save money on transport costs. You can also spend less time waiting for regular buses and trains.
E-bikes versus cars
E-bikes have their advantages over cars. But e-bikes are more advantageous in many ways.
Firstly, e-bikes allow you to avoid traffic jams. You can take shortcuts such as alleys and bike paths to reduce your commute time.
You also don't have to worry about finding a parking space. You can park your bike at dedicated bike storage or near building entrances.
E-bikes are also more environmentally friendly than driving. Studies show that transport accounts for about one-fifth of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Switching to e-bikes can help reduce this figure.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how you plan to use your e-bike can help you choose the best e-bike for your needs.
It doesn't matter whether you need one for your daily commute or for weekend trips. Today, there are many different types and models of e-bikes. This means you're sure to find a bike with enough power and range to allow you to ride with confidence.
Explore the full range of electric bikes at Bodywel today.
