Are Electric Bikes Good For Somebody With A Bad Back?

80% of the population has suffered from back pain at some point. It’s the price we pay for walking upright. Researchers suspect that our capacity to walk on two legs is the cause of “intervertebral disc herniation,” a common cause of back pain.

The prolapse of the soft, gelatinous substance inside our discs causes the problem and makes life unbearable. When the herniated disc presses on a nerve, the pain can be excruciating. Sitting or bending at the waist makes the pain worse.

Other common causes of back pain include:

• Sciatica- The sciatic nerve is in the lower spine and travels through the pelvis and down the legs. When injured, it can cause pain ranging from mild to intense.
• Pulled Muscle or Tendon- Can cause inflammation, tightness, and spasms.
• Arthritis- Over 50% of the population has arthritis, and sometimes it affects the back, causing stiffness and swelling.

If you suffer from back pain, you don’t want to do anything to aggravate it. Here at Best Electric Bikes, we often get questions about how comfortable e-bikes are to ride–especially for those with health problems. Can you ride an e-bike if you have a bad back?

Are E-bikes Good For Someone With a Bad Back?

The answer is yes!

While traditional bikes provide excellent exercise, they are often too harsh on your joints and back. Luckily, e-bikes offer a perfect form of low-impact exercise, which almost anyone can do. Back pain can be caused by–and exacerbated by–being sedentary. So what does that mean to you? MOVE!

While there are pedal-assist models and some with a moped-type throttle that can get you moving, you will still benefit from the exercise an e-bike can provide.

Your heart rate will be up as you are alert, taking in the ever-changing landscape as you ride. Nothing beats a good rush of adrenaline and endorphins!

What’s The Best E-bike for You?

The answer depends on where your back pain is and what makes it worse. Arching your neck, poor posture, and bumpy terrain can compress the spine, making your ride very uncomfortable. So, you need to make sure your choice of e-bike makes every ride strain-fee and easy.

The frame will play a significant role in your decision. Most often, a step-through frame will be optimal for ease of mounting the bike. Some people will do better with a forward-leaning bike, and others will be more comfortable with a recumbent bike.

Other styles to consider are:

• Comfort cruiser– Cruisers have a lower seat, comfortable handlebars, fat tires, and comfy seating. The Model S e-bike cruiser is a good example that will allow you to step through the frame for ease in mounting and is highly customizable for your comfort.
• Mountain bike– Mountain e-bikes often have full suspension and fat tires to help prevent jolts. The Quietkat Ranger will make any mountain biking experience easier with its comforting suspension and powerful 750 Watt and 1,000 Watt motors. Two choices in frame size will help accommodate a variety of riders, and with the ability to handle up to a 325lb passenger, there is very little the Quietkat Ranger can’t handle.
• Commuter bike– At a very light 37lbs, the Propella V4.0 7-Speed will be a friend to anyone dealing with a bad back. A low price point will please those on a budget as well. This lightweight commuter-friendly e-bike will get you to and from the office smoothly.

Tips To Help Back Pain on Your E-bike

1. Warm up before your ride with a 5-minute walk and gentle, dynamic stretching.

2. Have a bike professional set up your bike to maximize comfort.

3. Use good form while riding-chest up, distribute some weight to the arms, and shift positions occasionally.

4. Avoid neck strain by easing your head up and down and sideways (when it’s safe to do so).

5. Use shock-absorbing accessories like gloves, full-suspension shocks, and fat tires.

6. Consider hiring a personal trainer to help strengthen your core and back muscles to help prevent further back pain.

Don’t Let Back Pain Sideline You

E-bike riding is one of the best ways you can begin to exercise with a bad back. Check out all our electric bike reviews at Best Electric Bikes. We provide a detailed breakdown of every e-bike we review, including the frame, suspension, weight, comfort, handlebars, range, and intended use.

Drop us a line if you have any questions!