Electric Bikes and Health When riding an electric bike, the higher speeds available to us enables us to apparently "effortlessly" cruise past other cyclists. We frequently hear the disdainful comment "CHEAT!" Frequently, we receive comments from potential customers, (or scornful fitness freaks) that there is "no real health benefit" using an electrically asisted bike. However, in an effort to dispel some of these understandable, but inaccurate myths, we have explained how electric cycling has a very positive health benefit. Across the UK, most jouneys are under 10 miles, a distance that may be swiftly and effectively covered by a rider on an electric bike. However, the recent National Travel Survey discovered that the desire to cycle using a conventional pedal operated bike dramatically reduces when the journey distance exceeds five miles1. Further research has shown that the relative hilliness or frequency of hills is the most frequently quoted physical barrier to cycling2. Naturally, the use of an electrically assisted bike will reduce the effort required to cycle up hill, and thereby removes the emotional barrier that prevents a person cycling at all. Conventional cycling has its place, but in the same manner, electric bikes also serve their purpose as well. There is a widely-held perception that using an e-bike is somehow "cheating", or just the lazy persons way of cycling. Despite this assumption, there is clear evidence that this is not the case. Health researchers have carried out several studies on the use of Electrically assisted pedal bikes (Pedelecs - assisted bikes that only offer assistance whilst the rider is actually pedalling rather than using a twist and go hand throttle) and have concluded that riding such a machine constitutes "Moderate Exercise". The Chief Medical Officer recommends that adults should aim to achieve at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five or more days each week. A study conducted for the Australian Institute of Transport Studies (Monash University)3 showed that when riding a pedelec electric bike, the test subject maintained a heart rate of an intensity that is predominantly well within the target range (i.e., moderate exercise) where cardiovascular benefits are gained, fats are used in energy production, and no lactic acid builds up. Interestingly, when the test was conducted on a rider using a conventional pedal bike, it was shown that the rider enjoyed the strongest cardiovascular and fitness workout. Ironically, the intensity was so high that stored carbohydrates (rather than body fats) would be converted to energy, along with a build up of Lactic Acid in the tissues. Similarly, Dutch Research4 asked 12 habitually active adult subjects to cycle 4.3km on a track at an intensity that they would normally choose for commuter cycling at three different electric support settings. The settings were no support (NO), eco setting (ECO), and powered support (POW). The subject's Oxygen consumption and heart rate were simultaneously measured. The results showed that the intensity of cycling on a pedelec in ALL 3 settings was was sufficiently high to meet the guidelines for adults to comply with the requirements to moderately exercise. Its no surprise to see that the NO setting resulted in "vigorous" activitiy. The authors concluded that the subjects would need to cycle 4.3km at least four times a week round trip to meet the combined requirements for physical activity expenditure of a minimum of 30 minutes moderate activity 5 times a week. A Swiss study5 looked in detail into a number of health issues when related to the use of Pedelecs, and concluded that riding a Pedelec helps to prevent cardio-vascular diseases, Hypertension, Type II Diabetes, and Colon Cancer. An EU Commission study on less healthy people was carried out in 20036. This research studied 20 healthy but sedentary subjects, (10 male, 10 female) who were asked to start exercising on electric bikes. The results showed an improvement in their physical conditions, and made the statement "The conclusion remains that the electrically supported bicycle can help overcome the emotional barriers towards physical activity. The ability to overcome barriers is a significant benefit in the use of electric bikes. A survey on procrastination carried out in 2004 7 revealed that health related matters such as starting a healthy diet, or getting fit were identified as always being put off, ranking them second out of 12 major life areas. The UK Govenment's White Paper "Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon - Making Sustainable Local Transport Happen (DfT, 2011) identifes "nudging" behavioural changes, and gives examples of providng travel information, and free cycling training. Electric bikes could also be counted as such, and help overcome procrastination. Research also shows high levels of use promote further health benefits. A 2008 Dutch study8 interviewed 1448 respondents and concluded that those riders owning electric bicycles cycled further, faster and more frequently than other respondents. So - To those of you that harbour doubts about the benefits of electric cycling, hopefully these explanations will help you to see another viewpoint. We number amoingst out customers many people who would otherwise not be as mobile or fit as they are now bu using an electric bike. Here are some of our own Customers who have changed their lives for the better by using an electric bike: Mrs W, from London has advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis. This made her wrists, knees and other joints very painful, and with reduced mobility. She placed an order for a Wisper 705se 14 Amp Electric Bike. We adapted the gear selector mechanism to enable her to operate the gears despite the reduced articulation of her wrists. She now rides regularly. Mr D from Ashford in Middlesex has Cystic Fibrosis, and needs a full heart and lung transplant. He never rode a bike much, and had to rely on a car to get around. Since he took delivery of his Wisper 905se City he rides every day, and enjoys not having to use the car for every journey. Mr T from East Sussex has COPD, a breathing condition that means he has only 20% lung efficiency. Since he took delivery of his Wisper 905 Sport he now enjoys regular rides with his daughter and grandchildren - something he could never have enjoyed without electric power Mr W from Windsor has recently recovered from Heart Bypass surgery - and now rides a FreeGo electric bike to shopping trips, and for leisure rides with his family. Mr H from Maidstone has had a hip replacement and now relies on his Wisper 705se to get around the villages of North Kent Mr H from Sunbury is very elderley and uses an electric bike for mobility around the local area - having the confidence that his stamina wont let him down allows him to stay fitter for longer. Mr J from Addlestone has a degenerative eye condition and has had to surrender his driving licence. Without his FreeGo electric bike he would be confined to walks and dependence on public transport. Mrs B from Hampshire has had two artificial knee joints fitted, and uses here FreeGo Kingfisher to regain her independence and return to fitness. Mrs L from Peterborough has Rheumatoid Arthritis, and her new FreeGo Kingfisher enables her to cycle with the rest of her family. Miss M from Wimbledon has just had an artificial hip fitted, and her new FreeGo Eagle is enabling her to commute to the City without paid, and whilst mainting a level of fitness. Mr. P from Hurstpierpoint has a neurological condition that prevents him from driving. He now commutes and shops on a Wisper 905 City bike, together with a Mule trailer. Referring Sources. 1 DfT, 2009 - National Travel Survey (http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datablespublications/nts/age-cycling/nts0608.xls) 2 Parkin J, Wardman M, & Page M (2008) Estimation of the determinants of bicycle mode share for the journey to work using census data (Transportation 35(1), pp93-109 3 Rose G, and Cock P (2003) Encouraging E Bike use; the need for regulatory reform in Australia (Working Paper ITS-WP-03-19 Institute for Transport Studies, Monash University Australia, pp17,22-27) 4 Simon M, Van Es E, Hendriksen, I (2009) Electrically assisted cycling ; A new new mode for meeting physical activity guidelines?, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise pp2097-2102 5 Cantoreggi Nicola, Diallo Thierno, 2006 "Evaluation d'impact sur la sante Promotion du velo a assistance electrique (VAE)", Republique et canton de Geneve Departement de l'economie et de la sante, Direction Generale de la sante (Evaluation of the impact on health of the promotion of pedelecs) 6 Vermie T, (2003) E-Tour Electric Two-wheelers on Urban Roads, Final Report Jan 2000 - Dec 2002, European Commission, 2003, p48 7 Ferrari J R, Barnes, K L, and Steel P, (2009) Life regrets by avoidant and arousal procrastinators; Why put off today what you will regret tomorrow? Journal of individual differences 30(3) pp163 - 168 8 DfT (2011) Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon - Making Sustainable Transport Happen. Original URL: http://greasedlightningcycles.com/EBIKESANDHEALTH.aspx