Poor Excuse

[tenderbehind]

The main reason I find, that people object to owning an e bike is that they say they defeat the object, that is they won't get the exercise their after because the e bike takes away much of the need to peddle. My reply is - maybe some of the need is taken away, but because the electric bike is so much easier and more pleasurable to ride you will ride further and so on the way will almost be bound to encounter gradients and headwinds, then you would find that pedalling is the thing to do, helping the battery. So exercise will be done, and a lot of pleasure had on probably a longer ride than on an ordinary push bike.

 

[JohnofCambridge]

Several of us have lost weight since getting an ebike. Ten pounds in my case and on another thread, long forgotten, others admitted to about the same. Get an ebike and lose weight - could be a slogan!

John

 

[flecc]

That's everybody's experience Tenderbehind, an e-bike encourages much more cycling, the adverse conditions like headwinds and hills far less offputting. And then once on the bike, helping it along becomes enjoyable anyway, so the exercise is still gained.
.

 

[carpetbagger]

for me its just the exercise...not the weight..went out yesterday....
ebike 1-0 headwind
ebike 2-0 hill
ebike 2-3 cold.....took a shortened route and went home !!!!
thats one thing ebikes can't conquer......

 

[Vikki]

I love helping my ebike out. Then I love letting my ebike help me out when I've run out of steam.

Hmmm, let's see. Some people say ebikes defeat the object of the exercise (no pun intended), unspoken they think: But a regular bike is too much hard work so I can't be bothered.

Best regards.

Vikki.

 

[the_killjoy]

Yes, whilst it is true you don't get as much exercise as on a 'proper' bike you do get more than sitting in the car.

 

[SimonHutt]

I moved office locations a couple of years ago, and was no longer able to car share with my wife.
The commute is only just over 6 miles, and I had cycled similar journeys before, and it was tempting to try and avoid second car ownership. However, having to do the cycle whatever the weather was too much to contemplate.
Discovering e-bikes won me over though, and I rarely chicken out these days. Yes I have got soaked on a handful of occasions, been knocked off once, and fallen off in the recent icy conditions
On balance however I know I am winning:

• an hour a day of exercise that I wouldn't otherwise get
• frequent wildlife sightings (2 buzzards getting friendly today)
• NOT starting the day in a sweat
• savings from not running a second car for ~3000 miles a year
• lower carbon footprint

Over the last couple of months I have been the only bike in the rack at work on 90% or more of days, and although I get the occasional "Isn't that cheating?" (what, more than a car?! ), I am still happy with my choice.

 

[Vikki]

Hear, Hear, Simon. My thoughts exactly. If it wasn't electric then it'd be the train every day. Result would be severly reduced exercise.

Vikki.

 

[Rad]

Thing is, bikes weren't invented so that people could become fitter. They were intended to be a means of transportation. It's only as the car has become more affordable and prevalent, that cycling is seen as a way to get/remain fit rather than as a way of getting from a to b.

 

[Fecn]

I view electric assistance on my bike much the same as I view power-steering on my car. I don't drive a car to build up my arm muscles, and I don't ride my bike because I want a leg workout either. In fact.. I'm going off to ride my bike for a 9-mile jaunt along the bridleways right now because I want to pay some cheques into the bank. The fresh air, pleasant scenery and healthy exercise are all bonuses.

 

[Vikki]

You know, when the weather warms up a bit I might just nip across the Hayling ferry to Hayling Island and do a cycle around it and back. Other than that I'd have to do 10 miles before I even got a sniff of the countryside.

Vikki.

 

[Mussels]

Yes, whilst it is true you don't get as much exercise as on a 'proper' bike you do get more than sitting in the car.

You can get just as much exercise if you want, having a battery is no hinderance to how hard you can pedal.
As I found after deciding to battle it out with motorbikes down a congested dual carriageway this morning, it's easy to get out of breath and work up a sweat in almost freezing temperatures.

 

[stranger]

I have one of those funny bikes that 'run' solely on human muscle power and the lay of the land--and it sits in the garage until or unless the Powabyke goes VOR.

Then I use it about twice, get the most appaling muscle cramps in my legs, put it back in the garage and get the car out until the PB is back in action.

Let the 'scoffers' scoff, I say.

I LOVE my Powabyke.

 

[Patrick]

My reason for wanting an electric bike is so that I can control how much exercise I get from commuting to work. I don't particularly want an hour long workout first thing every morning, so an unassisted bike would be too much exercise. On the other hand I like the idea of being able to push myself into trying to tackle some of the hills unaided on the way home (and being able to take it easy when I realise that I've been overambitous).

If I was cycling purely for exercise then an electric bike would be pointless, if I wanted to do less exercise then I would simply go on shorter flater rides. On the other hand, if I just wanted exercise a bike would be pretty pointless as well, I could get just as much exercise running round the park without any mechanical aid. Compared to running an unassisted bike is cheating (if you tried to do the London Marathon on a bike you might meet with an objection or two).

But I wont be cycling just for exerercise, I'll be riding so that I can get to work, and an electric bike will turn a jorney I have to do every day into an oportunity to get as much exercise as I want. Maybe one day I'll be so fit that I can do the cummute everyday unasisted, at which point I'll de-electrify myself, but I don't really see that happening with my current route.

Patrick

 

[flecc]

if you tried to do the London Marathon on a bike you might meet with an objection or two

Patrick

Drat!

Another ambition thwarted.
.

 

[stranger]

---if you tried to do the London Marathon on a bike you might meet with an objection or two.

Patrick

They won't allow you to do it on horse-back, either.

 

[murphy61]

My reasons for having an electric bike are similar to Patrick's- using that time spent getting to and from work for something useful ie exercise, therefore getting fit, and saving money at the same time! My work is 17 miles away so out of the question for a 50+ like me on an ordinary bike. I've only had the Agattu since December and already I've lost weight, feel fitter and have knocked 10 minutes off the journey time. Also I've noticed I can go up some hills in top gear instead of 4th or 5th as I used to have to do. As the days get longer and the weather gets better I'm enjoying it more and more, which is great. And I'm really lucky to be able to enjoy some fantastic scenery on the way. Part of my route takes me along a promenade next to a surfing beach, and there are sea cliffs with massive gullys that I can see down into as I cycle along. You just don't see that sort of thing from a car!

Wish I'd got one years ago!

 

[Vikki]

A little snipette of info for you to store away in the 'useless info box' (I'm a mine of useless info): Walking takes 4 times more energy than cycling the same distance.

Sooooo, people cycle because it's four times easier and considerably quicker. I can't wait to shout at a passing cyclist when I'm walking "Hey! That's cheating!"

Vikki.

 

[Barnowl]

A little snipette of info for you to store away in the 'useless info box' (I'm a mine of useless info): Walking takes 4 times more energy than cycling the same distance.

Sooooo, people cycle because it's four times easier and considerably quicker. I can't wait to shout at a passing cyclist when I'm walking "Hey! That's cheating!"

Vikki.

Nice twist.
Also if you've got bad knees ( I have) walking is a killer

 

[Bigbee]

"If I was cycling purely for exercise then an electric bike would be pointless, if I wanted to do less exercise then I would simply go on shorter flater rides."


I agree with most of your post Patrick but not this.

How many people are unfit or over weight,but are " too fat " or " too unfit " to go to a gym though they may want to,well sort of.Well maybe I speak too much from a personal side,cos I wouldnt go to a gym as Im too fat and unfit!Im too rubbish to cycle as well ,with out an ebike's help.Before Christmas I was given the opportunity to try any ebike my friend had in his new place.I was cycling,probably only half an hour a day,I tried to cut out the fatty foods and I lost a stone in a month......then Christmas came,then the snow....and urm,its all back on again

As it warms up,Im gagging to get out again.Ebikes can bring so much to people,its just letting them know they need one ( back to the marketing thread!)