Electric bikes (e-bikes) have revolutionized the way people commute in almost all major urban cities worldwide, but they can do more than transport you from your home to your workplace and back.
People have been using e-bikes for cruising on sandy beaches, trekking on hills, and even exploring remote areas.
There are so many different types of e-bikes that you can easily find one for any use case. But that's not the only reason they are your perfect travel partner.
In this blog post, we'll discuss why electric bikes make for your perfect travel buddy. So, let's get started.
Reasons To Own an E-Bike
Eco-Friendly
This cannot be stated often enough. Mother Earth is dying… and we are dying with it.
The only way to prevent ongoing climate change and stop this catastrophe is to reduce carbon emissions. And do you know what helps reduce these emissions? Yes, you've got it right. E-bikes.
The “E” in e-bikes stands for electric. Unlike traditional vehicles, e-bikes don't rely on gas or other fossil fuels to power your ride and, therefore, do not produce any carbon emissions.
It means when you use an electric bike for traveling, you're helping to conserve the environment, the climate, and the planet.
Yes, the electricity used to charge them also has an environmental cost, but that's far less than gas alternatives.
Contribute to a Healthy Lifestyle
Electric bikes can be operated in either of the following two ways. First, you can use them like regular bicycles without electric/motor assistance.
Or, you can use them in a pedal-assist mode that adds motor power or “electric assistance” to your leg power, making your ride more manageable and fun.
Some electric bikes are also designed to work with a throttle (but that's a different story, as most countries, including those in Europe and Australia, don't permit such e-bikes).
So, when you use e-bikes – whether you use them like a regular bicycle or with pedal assist – you get a workout good enough to contribute positively to your health (provided that you use them often).
Research has shown that cycling can lower the chances of cardiovascular disorders, reduce stress levels, and even help you lose weight. It means that e-bikes are possibly the healthiest mode of travel after cycling.
Cost-Effective
Electric bikes are one of the most cost-effective transportation options right now.
With rising gas prices, shifting to e-bikes may be the wisest decision you'll make in years (remember they don't need fuel?). Also, they cost far less than motorcycles and cars.
Most e-bikes today are priced from $1,000 to $2,000. You can get them as low as $400 or as high as $14,000. You can easily get a decent bike for around $2k.
In addition, they are relatively cheap to operate and almost free to maintain. You also save parking fees as well.
If you're wondering, e-bikes are costlier than electric scooters and hoverboards, and we won't contest that. But don't forget that e-bikes are more comfortable and capable than e-scooters and hoverboards. They are also safer too!
Versatile
As we discussed in the beginning, there are so many e-bikes available on the market today that you can easily find one for any use case.
Want to go trekking? There are plenty of mountain e-bikes (or eMTBs) in a wide budget range for you.
Or perhaps you prefer to explore sandy beaches or ride on snow? Fat tire e-bikes won't sink in loose terrain due to their 4″ wide tires.
Want to use public transportation during your commute to the office? You can easily get a lightweight folding e-bike to ride to the metro and then take it inside.
Likewise, for people who don't have adequate storage in their homes, folding e-bikes provide the perfect solution.
Want to explore remote areas and jagged hills? Full-suspension e-bikes can let you do just that.
You have racing e-bikes, commuter e-bikes, cruiser e-bikes, and cargo e-bikes. There are so many out there nowadays that we can hardly count them all.
Convenient
Electric bikes are extremely portable compared to many other types of vehicles. There are even e-bikes that weigh less than 25 pounds and e-bikes that fold down to absurdly minimal dimensions.
They are easy to ride, easy to operate, and easy to navigate in congested urban traffic. Likewise, they are also very convenient to charge (plug them in any wall socket like you do with your mobile phone or laptop) and maintain.
They also offer a range of accessories to make your ride comfortable and convenient. For instance, almost all e-bikes have an LCD to let you see your ride parameters, such as your speed, battery life, and distance covered, in real time.
Most electric bikes also come with a storage rack or bike phone mount to hold and charge your phone on the go or even advanced features like smartphone connectivity. You can also customize them to your liking!
Final Words
Electric bikes can take you to mountains, they can take you to beaches, they can take you to your workplace or school, and they can be enjoyable while you're at it.
Electric bikes are also good for the environment, your health, and your wallet. E-bikes are available at a wide range of prices and can be operated and maintained at almost no cost (compared to alternatives).
They are also very convenient to operate and come with several accessories to make your experience worthwhile.
These are all but just a few reasons why e-bikes are the perfect travel partner. No wonder people around the world, especially in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia, have started replacing their cars with e-bikes. When will you do the same?
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This story is brought to you in partnership with Engwe.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.
