Is it really that great? The “it” here being riding an e-bike. It’s a common question for people contemplating—but not committed to—an e-bike purchase. It’s a reasonable consideration, especially as most of us can’t afford to drop $1000 or more just to try an alternative form of transportation.
Whether people are contemplating an e-bike for fun, health or commuting, the reasons are as numerous as the freeways in LA, and riding an e-bike is a good deal more enjoyable than being on any LA freeway; we often hear from new buyers, “I’m not sure why I waited so long.”
What follows are the four best reasons to riding an e-bike. If these aren’t good enough to encourage someone to consider an e-bike, very little is likely to.
Getting out of the car
Driving is a part of life for most adults, a manner of getting around that is nearly unavoidable. Developing a strategy for getting around without a car can seem like a Rubik’s Cube problem until someone gets a feel for the advantages of getting out of that metal box. No matter how someone uses their vehicle, a number of solutions stand ready and available to e-bike buyers.
The environment. We don’t have to believe that greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide are causing climate change to see the value in reducing their output. Exhaust from internal combustion engines isn’t good for people or the planet. Reducing the production of carbon dioxide, ozone and particulate matter makes the air clearer and research has shown how allergies, asthma and other cardiovascular conditions drop when air quality improves.
Bank balance. Sure, purchasing an e-bike is a significant expense, but once it’s purchased and someone begins riding it instead of driving everywhere, the savings stack up in short order. By driving less, someone spends less on gas, and with a full tank of gas approaching $100 (or more) for many vehicles, lowering that spending becomes noticeable in short order. Driving less also means spending less on car insurance because people who drive less spend less to insure their car. Then there’s the reduction in maintenance costs. The driver who goes from driving 10,000 mi. per year to 5000 mi. per year will spend less on oil changes, tuneups, tires and more.
Health. Activity begets activity. The more active someone is, the more they enjoy being active and the more active they can be without experiencing crushing fatigue. Burning all those calories results in better aerobic fitness and a change in body composition. More muscle and less fat feels good, making being in our bodies more comfortable and enjoyable. Those gains are likely to translate to a longer life as well.
Happiness. Studies have shown that when people get out of their rolling metal boxes and move around in nature—as on a walk or e-bike ride—their mood improves. Not only are people happier, but that forward movement has the power to restore our sense of wonder in the world. The dividends that happiness pays in our lives can be profound—improved relationships in our family, greater work satisfaction and more enthusiasm for getting off the couch add up to a better quality of life.
Making us believe
Can one change really result in better air, more money in the bank, improved health and a brighter mood? In a word? Yup. For the person who rides at least three or four days per week, the changes can be surprising, and for anyone who looks at this with a skeptical eye, we get it. The light bulb doesn’t always turn on until after that first commute to work. Walking in the door with a smile bigger than the one we walk out the door with feels like a miracle.
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