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E-bikers are as fit as conventional cyclists

13.8.2019

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

We knew this, but refused to believe it out of misplaced vanity. E-bikes are no nuisance; they get more people moving. More specifically, they get people moving as much as they would on a conventional bike.

As a cyclist, the mumbling and grumbling starts when you get overtaken by an e-bike yet again. «I don't need one. I'm fit enough to move my legs!» Or you find yourself saying – with a somewhat disparaging undertone – that they're great for old people to get them moving a bit. Curb your gloating right now, because there's nothing second-rate about e-bikers.

A study reported that electric bicycle users do just as much activity as conventional cyclists. The authors used data from the European research project Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approaches (PASTA), which originally aimed to define the determinants of active mobility. From November 2014 to January 2017, over 10,000 participants from seven European cities including Zurich took part in a longitudinal survey. It became clear when comparing the results of e-bike and conventional bicycle users that e-bikers cover longer distances and forgo driving or taking public transport more often.

E-bikes are replacing cars

This makes the argument about lower exertion null and void. You may achieve more on a bike, but this evens out when you're travelling shorter distances. It's especially significant that a quarter of e-bike users reported using the motorised bicycle instead of driving. 15% of respondents are replacing journeys on public transport with travel on an e-bike. This should mean that these people are getting a lot more exercise than they used to.

There are still a few common preconceptions, and they're not completely unfounded. E-bike owners are generally older (48.1 v. 41.4 years old) and somewhat heavier (a BMI of 24.8 v. 23.8) and are more likely to own a car. But this is no reason to be ashamed of buying one of these vehicles. The goal is getting enough exercise. It doesn't matter how you do it.

Now it's your turn to move by clicking the «Follow author» button.

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Carolin Teufelberger

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carolin.teufelberger@digitecgalaxus.ch

My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.

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