When shopping for an electric bike, one of the most important factors to consider is riding frequency. This refers to the rate you intend to use your electric bike for. Depending on your lifestyle, this could be several short trips weekly or one long excursion per weekend.
Understanding how you plan to use your electric bike can help you choose the best model. It’s also worth knowing how your e-bike usage will compare to other modes of transport. Ideally, an electric bike should be a viable alternative to cars and public transport.
In this article, you will learn about the different ways in which riders use their electric bikes, and how electric cycling compares to other transport methods.
How Frequently Do You Ride Your E-Bike?
The rate at which you use your electric bike depends on your needs and lifestyle. If you are within riding distance of work or school, then you will be able to use your e-bike multiple times a week. If not, then you may only use it for weekend off-roading adventures.
Here are a few ride frequency estimates for the different types of e-bike riders:
Daily Commuter
Daily commuters use their electric bikes nearly every day per week. They may use it to travel to work or school, the grocery store, and other essential services in their local area. Daily commuters may also use public transport, such as trains, to travel long distances.
Weekend Warrior
Weekend warriors use their electric bikes exclusively on the weekend. They may use it to go on long off-roading excursions, along with fishing, camping, and hunting trips. They may also use it exclusively for weekend work obligations.
The Mars 2.0 is an excellent electric bike for weekend warriors. With a powerful peak 1800w motor and 20x4” fat tires, the Mars 2.0 is versatile enough to handle urban and light off-road surfaces like gravel, sand, and snow.
Whether you love to ride off the beaten path or cruise around town on the weekend, the Mars 2.0 is the perfect riding companion.
Occasional Rider
Occasional riders use their electric bikes a few times a week. They have lower traveling requirements than daily riders, meaning they do not have to ride as often to get where they need to be. They may also use their electric bike purely for exercise or recreational purposes.
Seasonal Rider
Seasonal riders use their electric bikes during certain times of the year. They may use it exclusively for riding in winter – in the snow – or in summer – when the sun is out, and the weather is warmer.
As a seasonal rider, you should take extra precautions to care for your battery. Leaving your battery unused and uncharged for long periods can reduce its performance and lifespan.
For example, it is recommended that you leave your unused battery charged at 40 to 60% and not at a full charge. This helps preserve battery capacity and lengthen its lifespan.
There is another way to take care of your e-bike battery: try not to recharge it after every ride. Ideally, you should only recharge it once the capacity falls below 40%. Too much recharging will reduce its lifespan.
What Factors Influence E-Bike Usage Frequency?
Many factors influence e-bike usage. These include where you live, your travel commitments, and your ability to reach certain places with an e-bike. The more easily you can get where you need to be on an e-bike, the more likely you will use it.
You may also have personal or health-related reasons to take up e-cycling.
If weight loss is your goal, you may be motivated to ride several times a week to reach your fitness goals. Research shows that e-cycling is associated with a 16% reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and CVD mortality.
How Does E-Bike Usage Impact Your Lifestyle?
There are many benefits to incorporating an e-bike into your lifestyle. It can help you be healthier, happier, and more productive. Let’s explore these advantages in greater detail.
- Exercise: Although electric bikes are less intensive than conventional bikes, they still help you meet the intensity range for physical activity as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Mental well-being: E-cycling has been shown to help improve our mental wellbeing. A 2019 study found that spending at least 120 minutes outside per week is associated with good health and well-being.
- Greater versatility: With an electric bike, you can use the electric pedal assist – and throttle, if equipped – to ride faster, and ride for longer, than a conventional bicycle without getting fatigued. You can also climb steep inclines more easily.
How Does E-Bike Usage Compare to Other Modes of Transport?
As electric bikes have become cheaper and more accessible, they have become a viable alternative to traditional bikes, public transport, and cars. This is especially true for people living in condensed urban environments.
Let’s see how e-bikes compare to other modes of transport.
E-Bikes vs Traditional Bikes
When it comes to e-bikes vs standard bikes, there is a lot to consider.
Electric bikes have batteries that supply power to the motor and extra power to your pedaling effort. This makes it easier to accelerate at a complete stop and climb steep inclines. Fat tire e-bikes also help you navigate rough terrain like dirt, gravel, and snow.
Traditional bikes, on the other hand, are different. They require you to do all the pedaling to reach your destination. This drains your energy quickly, leaving you feeling hot and sweaty after each ride.
E-Bikes vs Public Transport
The great thing about an e-bike is that you can still use public transport. However, you may be able to reduce your reliance on it. For example, instead of catching a bus to the train station, you could ride to the station and still catch your regular train.
By spending more time cycling and less on public transport, you’ll save money on transportation fees. You also spent less time waiting for scheduled buses and trains to arrive.
E-Bikes vs Cars
When it comes to e-bikes vs cars, there are advantages to both. But e-bikes have the edge in many ways.
For starters, e-cycling means you avoid congested traffic. You can take shortcuts like alleyways and bike paths to reduce your commute time.
You also don’t have to worry about looking for a parking spot. Instead, you can lock your bike at a dedicated bike storage space, or near the entrance of your building.
E-cycling is also eco-friendlier than driving a car. According to research, transport accounts for around one-fifth of the world’s total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Switching to an electric bike can help bring that number down.
Final Thought
Understanding how you plan to use your electric bike can help you choose one that best fits your needs.
Whether you need one for the daily commute or those weekend excursions, it does not matter. These days, electric bikes come in all types and models. This means you are guaranteed to find one with the power and travel range to help you ride with confidence.
Discover the full electric bike range at Heybike today.
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