If you live in a city, you may have begun noticing more people riding electric bikes rather than traditional bikes. You may have also asked yourself, where are they all coming from? Why have electric bikes become so popular as of late? The truth is that even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, market experts were already predicting a surge in e-bike popularity. Since the pandemic began, that electric bike trend has only continued.
E-bike popularity is no coincidence in today's world. The pandemic has created the perfect conditions for the electric bike trend to thrive, and not only because of electric bike exercise routines. The simple fact is that all of the benefits of electric bikes are designed for a world like the one where we currently live. People today are more environmentally conscious and health-conscious, are looking for alternative transportation options, and always want to save money whenever they can. When it comes to meeting all of these criteria, electric bikes fit the bill. Let’s run through the top five benefits of electric bikes that help explain why e-bike popularity is on the rise.
1. Great Exercise
Long stretches of government lockdowns have left people yearning for an outdoor outlet, and what better than one that allows you to keep healthy while doing it? Cycling brings with it numerous health benefits, including improving heart health, building muscle, lowering stress, reducing weight, and even boosting immune systems. All of that may sound too good to be true, but it’s the reality: electric bike exercise offers a comprehensive solution to the health problems that ail so many people.
It should be obvious why these health benefits are so important, especially in today’s society. First, we are living more sedentary lifestyles than ever before, spending much of our days sitting at desks in front of screens or in transportation vehicles. The Mayo Clinic recommends “at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day,” but the average American only gets about half of that. Second, the pandemic has heightened the importance of having a strong immune system, so people have taken to strong aerobic activities like cycling to remain strong and healthy.
With all of these health benefits of electric bikes, it’s easy to see why the electric bike trend has been picking up steam as of late.
2. Environmentally-Friendly
In a world that is becoming increasingly more environmentally conscious, electric bikes are one of the best transportation options people can choose. Particularly in crowded cities where pollution continues to be a problem, e-bike popularity has continued to climb because it allows people to ditch less environmentally-friendly options. Some people had begun to switch to regular bicycles, but have since discovered that electric bikes offer the best of all worlds: provide exercise, cut down on pollution, and also get you everywhere you need to go. Rather than travel by bus, subway, or car—all of which are typically gas-powered and produce numerous carbon emissions—an electric bike is a safe alternative. It is because of the boost that the electric motor provides when needed, even long commutes can be easy rides on an electric bike.
3. Safer Transportation
Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a drastic drop in public transportation ridership. That includes trains, buses, and subway systems. People, it seems, are not keen on spending extended periods in close quarters with strangers who may be carrying the novel coronavirus. This just adds to the already poor reputation that public transportation systems have for cleanliness. All of this was enough for the CDC to issue added guidance around protecting yourself while riding on public transportation.
So how are people getting around without public transportation? They are turning to the electric bike trend, a safer transportation option that allows them to remain socially distanced in the fresh air. And because the world will forever be changed when it comes to protecting one’s health, e-bike popularity is here to stay.
4. Versatile
Perhaps one of the best benefits of electric bikes that is leading to so much e-bike popularity is their versatility. Traditional bicycles, while great alternatives, are reserved for short, leisurely rides or for young, fit, serious cyclists. They can be exclusionary in their nature. Electric bikes, however, are great for everyone, like Himiway Cruiser. That is because of their supplemental electric power, they allow people who need the extra boost on long rides or to get up steep hills to be able to conquer those challenges. And because using electric power is not always necessary, even dedicated cyclists can use electric bikes to their advantage without giving up any of the difficulty that they seek in traditional bikes. In fact, electric bike exercise is one of the best routines for senior citizens. What other exercise routines, which also double as transportation modes, can boast that they can be used just as effectively for people of all ages and skill levels?
5. Save Money
Commuting costs money. Many of these fees go unnoticed, but they certainly add up. If you are taking a bus, train, or subway to work, think about the fares you pay. Some people pay upwards of $100+ per month, which can cost as much as $1,500 per year. This isn’t even to mention the time lost by waiting at stations, or the walk needed to get to and from stations—and as we know, time is money. If you commute by car, it can be even more expensive. Think about the cost of the vehicle, gas, oil changes, both routine and unexpected maintenance, license, insurance, registration, and parking fees. Depending on the city, cars can cost many thousands of dollars per year. Compare all of this to the cost of commuting with an electric bike. A high-quality, reliable Himiway electric bike costs less than some people pay to commute with a car in a couple of months.
Ultimately, there are several reasons why e-bike popularity has exploded recently. When the benefits of electric bikes—such as the advantages of electric bike exercise, how friendly they are to the environment, the ability to offer a safer transportation option, saving money on your daily commute, and their versatile nature to work well for anybody—are taken together and put into the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear why the electric bike trend continues to gain popularity. The only question left: Have you gotten on board yet?
