Love them or hate them, e-bikes are booming as an affordable, fun, and convenient way to get from point A to point B. Pedal-assisted electric bicycles currently dominate the global cycling market, making up nearly 90% of all bikes sold. By 2023, e-bike sales are estimated to reach 40 million units worldwide. That’s a lot of bikes!
So, what’s all the fuss about? We’ve interviewed local bike enthusiasts and can sum up the main benefits in four categories as follows.
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Get outside: Being outdoors is good for your mental health, and e-bikes allow you to spend more time outside in the fresh air than traveling via car or bus. E-bikes are great for getting around town, running errands, and even exploring mountain trails – where allowed.
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Get healthy: Just because you are given assistance with an e-bike does not mean you are forfeiting a workout. A study by Brigham Young University found that people who ride electric bikes experience nearly as much exercise as those who ride mountain bikes. An added bonus is you don't FEEL like it’s as difficult, so you can go longer and ride farther.
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Breathe easy: E-bikes are emission-free and a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered vehicles for short trips. They are more energy efficient than many modes of transportation and help to reduce congestion in heavily populated and traveled areas.
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Save money: Riding your e-bike vs. driving your car saves money on fuel, maintenance, repairs, and parking. According to Tern, you could save well over $5,000 a year by riding an e-bike. And, you can save even more by taking advantage of LPEA's e-bike rebates.
Check out the video to learn more about the benefits of owning an e-bike from local bike shop owners in our community.
And don’t forget to check out LPEA’s e-bike rebates!