ELECTRIC BIKES PROS AND CONS

Electric bikes are one of the newest innovations in
transportation, and they’re quickly gaining popularity. They offer a number of
benefits that aren’t found with other modes of bike travel, such as speed,
efficiency, and ease. But like any new product or idea, there’s always going to
be some drawbacks.

In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of electric
bikes so you can make an informed decision on whether or not an electric bike
is right for you!

Pros of electric bikes

Environmentally friendly-

People often choose e-bikes over driving a car or taking the
bus because they are one of the cleanest modes of transport available. Electric
motors don’t emit any harmful emissions into our atmosphere, making them highly
preferable to combustion engine-driven vehicles like cars that produce dirty
fumes everywhere they go.

Electric bikes increase your fitness and lower gas costs at
the same time. They make for an excellent form of transportation that’s
environmentally friendly too.

You will not sweat-

One of the major reasons more people don’t bike to work is
because they are uncomfortable. They can’t stand being in their sweaty clothes
all day and having smelly body odor or feeling dirty, for that matter.

Electric bikes totally eliminate this sweaty problem. Riding
on an electric bike is comfortable, sweat-free, and more fun. Plus, you will
reach your workplace without any issues. This is because the bike has a battery
and a motor that does the hard work for you.

Much cheaper than driving-

On average, traveling via a small car costs around 50 cents
for one mile. However, an electric bike will cost you only 5 to 10 cents.
Furthermore, the upfront costs are also much lower than the cars. Additionally,
there is no expense of insurance when you use an e-bike.

Similarly, maintenance and repair costs are considerably
cheaper too. Apart from it, no need to pay a parking fee. So electric bikes are
much cheaper than the other transportation modes.

With electric bikes, you can go farther in a single day-

Electric bike range has significantly improved in recent
years, and most of them now come with powerful and long-lasting batteries with
great range.

On average electric bikes have a range of up to 20-35 miles
as per the specific model and brand. If you cycle most of your journey using
pedals without electric assistance, you can easily go further than usual. This
enables you to cover more distance than you will cover on a traditional bike.

Much faster than a traditional bike-

Most electric bikes have a speed of 20 or 28 miles per hour.
Most riders cannot achieve this speed on their own, at least not every day. The
average pace of an eBike is much higher and allows you to cover the distance
quickly.

Minimum maintenance –

The maintenance of electric bikes is almost the same as
traditional bikes. But these bikes save you a decent amount in the long run.
Regular maintenance of electric bikes includes maintaining adequate tire
pressure, lube the chain regularly, and replace the brake pads and wheels when
they wear out.

All these routine chores can be done by yourself just by
using a few basic tools if you have a bit of know-how. The electric motor and
battery usually are durable and don’t have any maintenance other than charging
and replacing it after some years.

In simple words, maintenance hassles and costs are lower in
electric bikes as compared to cars and motorcycles.

Less regulation to comply-

Electric bikes are a great way to get around town. The bikes
don’t require the hassle and expense of owning, maintaining an auto license, or
even registering your bike with local government agencies!

But it’s important you know that there are still ground
rules for operating these vehicles in some areas, so read up before taking this
new road warrior home.

Using an e-bike saves your car-

Electric bikes are more suitable for short trips, such as a
quick trip to the nearby grocery store or coffee shop.

On the other hand, if you are planning to go across the
town, cars are a much better choice. If you own both a car and an electric
bike, you can use the right vehicle as per your trip and distance. Using the
electric bike instead of your car will save some bucks as you will not be
paying for fuel, maintenance, depreciation, and repairs.

Electric bikes are perfect for elderly people and disabled ones-

Electric bikes are the perfect way for people who can no
longer ride a non-powered bike because they may have lost their strength or
been injured.

For example, an electric assist allows you to use your
energy on flat sections and let this battery-powered machine do all heavy
lifting so that even when riding up hillsides, it’s easier than ever before.

Great for up hills and through heavy winds-

You can power through tough terrains and climbs with the
help of an electric bike. If your fitness level doesn’t allow for more
challenging obstacles like steep hills or strong headwinds, these bikes will
take some pressure off.

Electric bikes are the future and trend-

The use of e-bikes has increased over the past few years,
and due to valid reasons. One major factor is that battery technology in modern
models can provide riders with a range of up to 20 miles on average, making
them more convenient than cars or motorcycles, especially for those who want to
ride around town.

Another contributing factor may be environmental
concerns–more people are switching from gas-guzzling vehicles due to their
carbon footprint and pollutions. Hence these bikes are the latest trend and the
future of transportation.

Electric bikes are fun-

EBikes are the best way to have fun and do exercise. Most
e-bike motors max out at 20 or 28 mph, but this doesn’t make them any less
enjoyable. You will have full control over speed while biking with these –
cruising along at these speeds can be really relaxing as well as great fun.

Cons of Electric Bikes

Here are some drawbacks of eBikes that you should be aware
of.

You need electricity-

The range of an e-bike is usually around 20 to 35 miles (32
– 56 kilometers). After that, it would be wise for you to pedal on over and
find a place where there are charging stations available to get your bike
charged up again.

However, you charge the bike after you reach the home or
find any charging point, but you will be on your feet for that period.
Furthermore, if you use more than half of your bike’s battery before reaching
your journey’s end or your home, you will have to charge the battery to get
back to your destination.

You should remember that not many companies and offices have
any charging facilities for electric bikes, especially in the USA. For this
reason, people don’t prefer to use electric bikes for long rides. Most of the
time, you can only charge the batteries when you reach your home.

Long charging time

Most electric bike batteries need up to 6 hours to obtain a
full charge. This is too much time if you want to ride somewhere. Obviously,
you can take the partially charged bike with you, but you will not get the
usual range.

However, charging time also depends on the bike’s model and
brand. Some electric bikes have quick charging, which comes in handy but can be
hard for the battery.

Expensive Price

The average cost of an electric bike is between $1000-$3000.
A mid-range non-powered bike is a much cheaper option than the electrical one.
A high-quality electric bike will cost you more than that. The additional cost
mostly is of the bike’s battery.

The bike’s motor is also an expensive component. If you have
a limited amount to spend, this might not be a suitable choice.

Too heavy

Averagely an electric bike weighs around 40-70 pounds. The
motor and battery add a substantial amount of weight. On the other hand, a
standard bike weighs 25-35 pounds.

The additional weight will not harm you till your battery
gets drained out, and then you will be dependent on your leg muscles. The pedaling
becomes tough on a steep hill without any motor assistance. If your electric
bike is too heavy, then you might face issues in storing it.

Expensive battery replacements

Usually, an electric bike’s battery costs around $600-$800.
The battery’s price depends on its size and the bike’s model. Large batteries
are more expensive than standard batteries.

You will find lithium-ion batteries in most electric bikes
as they last for longer, around 800-1000 cycles if appropriately maintained.
The working life of the battery is 2-3. Thus overall, battery replacement is a
hefty expense.

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Also Read: Is an electric motorcycle worth it?