Debunking 6 of the Most Enduring Myths About E-Bikes

E-bikes have recently come into the spotlight as a viable transportation solution. However, some myths surrounding them persist. Here, we’ll debunk the most common misconceptions about electric bikes.

Myth #1: Riding an E-Bike Won’t Help You Get Fit

This is perhaps one of the biggest myths about e-bikes. Thanks to a lot of encouragement from both the media and the government, there is a strong belief that e-bikes are too easy to ride, making them totally unsuitable for exercise.

While it’s true that they’re easier to ride, that doesn’t mean they’re not suitable for exercise. In fact, many people use them to exercise excessively, while others pedal to work regularly.

Myth #2: E-Bikes Are Unsafe

Because electric bikes can coast, people believe that they’re useless without manual pedal power.

This is incorrect. While it is true that you can let go of the pedals on an e-bike, you’re still better off pedaling. Doing so will increase the bike’s efficiency, range, and speed. You’ll also burn more calories because you’re moving your muscles.

If you’re worried about losing control, you can also switch to manual mode when you feel that you’re not going to use the electric motor right away.

However, if you’re still convinced that it’s too dangerous, you can always switch to the electric motor only when you’re certain that you won’t need to pedal, such as when you’re returning home from work.

Myth #3: E-Bikes Are Too Expensive

In the past, e-bikes were notoriously expensive. However, with the advent of lightweight, inexpensive components, the pricing gap between gas-powered bikes and e-bikes is starting to narrow.

There are also e-bikes on the market that cost less than $600. On the other hand, some e-bikes are priced as high as $14,000. The price of an e-bike is determined mostly by the brand, the battery, and the electric motor.

If you’re still on the fence about purchasing an e-bike, you should know that gas-powered bikes are more expensive over the long run. A whopping 60 percent of the cost of a gas-powered bike is allocated to fuel, maintenance, and storage.

Myth #4: E-Bikes Have a Short Range

This is another myth about e-bikes that is simply not true. Because of their ability to use pedal power and the electric motor, e-bikes can have ranges of up to 70 miles. However, the average range for an e-bike is about 25 to 35 miles.

Even if the range is much lower than what you want, you can use the e-bike’s electric motor to get to a place where you can easily swap batteries.

Myth #5: E-Bikes Are Bad for the Environment

Contrary to popular belief, e-bikes don't emit noxious fumes or any fumes at all. In fact, they do not contribute to harmful emissions because they run on electricity.

How exactly are they good for the environment? They reduce traffic congestion, taking vehicles off the road. They also reduce overall carbon emissions because of their low-carbon source of power.

Myth #6: Having to Charge an E-Bike is a Hassle

This may be true for traditional e-bike models that don’t have removable batteries. However, modern e-bikes have removable batteries that can be charged at home.

While it’s true that you have to fully charge the battery to use the bike, the charging time is relatively short. It also lasts for long periods of time. Depending on the battery's capacity, you can ride up to 70 miles, or as little as 20 miles, before you have to charge it again.

Conclusion

Electric bikes are not the future. They’re the present. They’re also the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to get around town. These myths about e-bikes are slowly dying out, but there are still people who insist on spreading them. With this guide, you should be able to learn more about e-bikes and not be a victim of these false claims.

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