The e-bike market is on track for steady growth. Estimates suggest that e-bike sales will more than double between 2022 and 2030, increasing from over 36 million units to more than 77 million units. This growth reflects the capabilities of e-bikes. However, their potential extends beyond lowering carbon emissions and improving the environment; they are capable of delivering much more.
Several researchers have explored the benefits of e-bikes from multiple perspectives, and in the coming segments, we will look into some of these research whose results are available in the public domain.
Understanding the Impact of E-Bike Incentives: A Study by the University of British Columbia
The researchers were curious to see what sort of positive impact e-bikes could bring. Their interest was sparked by e-bike rebates and their growing prevalence and popularity in the North American market. Through such rebates, transportation planners were trying to drive people towards a healthier alternative. The researchers wanted to delve deeper and get to the bottom of it, understanding who stands to benefit the most and whether these rebates were cost-effective and sustainable in the long run!
At the UBC”s Research on Active Transportation (REACT) Lab, the team chose to run their survey in the District of Saanich, British Columbia, among participants who had availed of an e-bike incentive program.
The survey results found that the participants had not abandoned their e-bikes. Even a year after purchase, they continued to use their bike as a substitute for car travel. This increased adoption led to a reduction in car trips among low-income households, ultimately resulting in reduced emissions.
The rebate program had three levels based on income. While the basic rebate amount was US$350, it could go as high as US$1,600.
Adoption numbers were highly promising. Ninety-three percent of the users were new to e-bikes, while 60 percent were new to cycling!
Their satisfaction with e-bikes led to a significant reduction in weekly car travel, averaging 48 kilometres less per week, which is 30-40 percent less than the car travel kilometres earlier.
This reduced car usage resulted in a decrease in travel-related greenhouse gas emissions, which averaged 16 kilograms of carbon dioxide per week.
The researchers found it to be a cost-effective way of handling GHG emissions. Alex Bigazzi, principal investigator and associate professor of civil engineering at UBC who leads REACT, had the following to say in this regard:
“The incentive not only encouraged people to switch to e-bikes, it also resulted in remarkable changes in travel behavior that persisted long after the purchase.”
Alex Bigazzi also highlighted the cost-efficiency of the incentive-driven purchase system by saying that:
“e-bike incentives are more cost-effective in reducing emissions compared to electric car incentives, and that’s without including a range of cycling-related benefits such as increased physical activity, reduced local air pollutants, and decreased travel costs.”
But does this survey paint the complete picture? While it is true that it is cost-effective and reduces GHG emissions, it can save more than the environment. It can improve our health standards to the point of extending our lives. If you are wondering how, let us look into the following two scientific studies!
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Health Impact of a Simulated Commute on an E-Bike: Metabolic and Cardiovascular Responses
The study aimed to compare cardiometabolic responses and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) between a regular bike and an e-bike at two different assist levels during a 3-mile ride.
To carry out the study, the researchers chose a group of 30 volunteers consisting of 16 males and 14 females. Each participant completed three 3-mile bike rides at their own pace using a regular bicycle and an e-bike at two different assist levels while the researchers monitored their heart rate and oxygen consumption.
The research reached the conclusion that riding an e-bike required lower metabolic, cardiovascular, and perceived effort, commensurate with what is termed as healthy physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization and the ACSM.
Most participants had a positive perception of e-bike riding, which was found to be positive, as they equated the experience with adjectives such as ‘easier’ and ‘fun.’
The researchers affirmed that e-bikes were viable options for active transportation that could benefit individual health, reduce congestion, and help bring down the levels of pollution caused by gas-powered vehicles.
This study is not the only one that has made such an inference. Another similar study investigated the physical activity of e-bike users and compared it to conventional bicycle users and non-cyclists.
Comparing the Physical Activity of E-Bike Users to Conventional Bicycle Users
This study drew insights from health and transport data gathered from an online survey carried out in seven European cities. Its objective was to compare the physical activity levels of e-bikers and conventional bicycle users (cyclists) across e-bike user groups based on the transport mode substituted by e-bike. It analyzed physical activity, transport, and user-related parameters. As many as 10,000 participants took part in the survey.
While the physical activity levels of e-bikers and cyclists were similar, e-bikers reported significantly longer trip distances. E-bikers who switched from cycling saw a reduction in travel-related activities by around 200 Metabolic Equivalent Task minutes per week. This reduction was even greater for those who switched from private motorized vehicles to public transport, around 550 and 800 MET minutes per week, respectively.
The findings suggest that e-bike use leads to a substantial increase in physical activity among e-bikers who made the switch from private motorized vehicles to public transport.
The researchers concluded that e-bikes were a healthy and sustainable transport option, enabling longer travel distances than cycles, and could be used for longer commuting trips than non-electric bicycles. They noted potential conflicts within the current urban infrastructure and advocated for the expansion of cycling infrastructure and subsidies to encourage e-bike adoption, recognizing health and physical activity benefits.
The benefits offered by e-bikes have prompted many well-known companies to develop a range of efficient products. In the coming segments, we will discuss a couple of such companies that are leading the race to equip the population with the most efficient e-bikes possible.
#1. Trek Bicycle Corporation
One of the leaders in this space, Trek Bicycle Corporation, has three categories of bikes on offer: Class 1 e-bikes, Class 2 e-bikes, and Class 3 e-bikes.
The first category features bicycles with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to assist upon reaching a speed limit of 20 miles per hour.
The second category, Class 2 e-bikes, has a motor meant for exclusive use in propelling the bicycle. And unlike the Class 1 bikes, these bikes can not assist when the bike reaches 20 miles per hour. The final category of Class 3 e-bikes has motors that assist only when the rider is pedaling and stop assisting when the bicycle reaches 28 mph.
Altogether, these three categories constitute a product range that may cater to a variety of cyclists.
Cyclists choose their bikes based on the kind of ride they plan to undertake. Trek offers City and Fitness bikes, which provide a comfortable and upright riding position, are easy to maneuver, and are ideal for cruising. Their Electric road bikes come with dropped handlebars and sophisticated aerodynamic features.
Finally, Trek’s electric mountain bikes combine the rugged capability of traditional mountain bikes with the ease of use for covering long miles and undertaking steep climbs.
According to the latest available financials, Trek Bicycle Corporation registered revenue of more than 163 million pounds sterling for the 12 months ended December 31, 2022. This is a rise from the 157 million pound sterling it recorded for the 12 months ended January 1, 2022.
The company saw a significant rise in its profit levels. For the year ended December 31, 2022, it made a profit of close to 25 million pounds sterling, while for the 12 months ended January 1, 2022, the profit was only a little more than 8 million pounds sterling.
#2. Yamaha E-Bikes
Yamaha Motor Corporation’s e-bikes cater to all-road riders, mountain bikers, and those who embrace biking as part of their fitness or lifestyle enhancement. Within these categories, there is diversity; for instance, the prices of these bikes range from US$3,000 to US$5,000. They come in all sizes: large, medium, and small.
Yamaha’s involvement with e-bikes dates back to 1993. That year, it sold the world’s first power-assist bicycle and has since shipped over 5 million units. Yamaha’s products feature intuitive operation and natural riding facilities. Their sensing technology can automatically detect riding conditions and deliver the appropriate assist power and acceleration.
Yamaha e-bikes are claimed to be maintenance-free. These bikes do not require regular internal component replacement and offer best-in-class resistance to external factors and overheating. The company has designed the product algorithms to cater specifically to each of the drive units in the lineup, ensuring the experience matches each riding situation.
For the financial year 2023, Yamaha reported its group-wide consolidated revenue at 451.4 billion yen and core operating profit at 45.9 billion yen.
The Future of E-Bikes
One thing is clear: e-bikes are not just a passing trend. These vehicles offer sustainable benefits and positively impact not only our environment but also our health and living standards.
Multiple improvements will enhance e-bikes in the future. These will include improved battery efficiency, smart connectivity features, and increased accessibility. Aesthetic standards will also improve, with lightweight materials being used to develop these bikes. Integration with smartphone apps, GPS tracking features, and other innovations will contribute to the overall riding experience.
Most e-bikes are equipped with Li-ion batteries, which are lightweight and have high energy density. These batteries can hold a charge over numerous charge cycles. More work on the battery management system would ensure optimal performance and best-in-class safety.
A systematic literature review of studies examining physical activity, cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and psychological outcomes associated with e-cycling found that e-cycling could contribute to meeting physical activity recommendations and increasing physical fitness.
The benefits of e-bikes could even be noted in the well-being of our mental health. By promoting the release of happy hormones, including serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, e-biking could help combat stress, anxiety, and depression.
Experts suggest that e-bike pedaling engages the mind and enhances mindfulness. It is a low-impact, non-weight-bearing exercise that perfectly suits the needs of all age groups.
Altogether, it is an affordable solution to many of our modern-day challenges. Our busy schedules often leave us with too little time to engage in meaningful exercise, and gym-based exercise sessions are costly. E-biking is a solution to both of these problems. It offers an avenue to exercise during our daily commutes, saving time.
At the same time, it does not require us to incur additional fuel costs. And the cherry on the cake is that e-biking helps us make meaningful contributions to a greener future.
Governmental authorities should support e-biking by creating designated roads for them and offering subsidies. It will extend our lives and the longevity of our planet.
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