OH! Magazine - Australian Version June 2017 | Page 6

( OH Wow! )
TEN REASONS TO LOVE
ELECTRIC BIKES
eBikes are a great way for people of all ages and fitness levels, to get moving,
more often. Here are ten reasons why we love them!
hat began as a niche movement,
eBikes have quickly become a
global phenomenon, there are now over
2.5 million eBikes in Germany alone – and
now it’s Australia’s turn! you’ve just run a marathon! And remember,
if you’re feeling adventurous, or as your
fitness improves, you can always use your
eBike as a normal bicycle, simply by
turning off the pedal assistance feature.
For young or old, for urban or sporty use,
pedelecs (electric bicycles that must be
pedalled, rather than powered by a throttle)
have made cycling more accessible and
more relaxing for people of all ages and
fitness levels. 2. The environment benefits
W
Revolutionising urban transport and
turning everyday riders into explorers, the
pedal-assist boost of eBikes shrinks
mountains, shortens the distance that lie
ahead and makes it even easier for you to
reach your goals.
After chatting with the team at Bosch
eBike Systems, we’ve discovered ten
reasons why we think this niche category is
about to make a real splash in Australia.
1. Ideal for commuting
If you’re sick of getting held up in traffic or
searching for that ‘lucky’ car park on your
way to work, then the eBike is for you.
Ideal for zipping around a city and covering
short distances to work, pedelecs helps
you cover greater distances more quickly
and easily – so you can arrive at work
feeling fresh.
A lot of people rule out commuting by bike
because of the mess – the extra clothes
and the sweat factor. However, the cruising
that eBikes provide, saves you effort,
ensuring you can still burn those calories
but arrive at work without looking like
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OH! MAGAZINE ( JUNE 2017 )
Pedelec users go easy on the environment,
especially if they use their eBikes on a
daily basis. Half of all daily car journeys
are 5km or less, and according to the
Environmental Protection Agency, the CO 2
emissions of a car are around 40 times
higher than those of a bicycle with a
battery-powered motor. So why not try
leaving the car at home and jumping on an
eBike for those short journeys? You’ll be
doing a massive favour for the environment,
your wallet and your health.
Despite the power assistance, eBikers still
have to hit the pedals to get moving.
What’s great is it’s your decision as to how
much power assistance you want or need!
So if you’re interested in getting fitter and
moving more often, then now is a great
time to get on a bike with power assistance.
5. Ease back into exercise
Thanks to the even, adjustable power
assistance, eBikes are ideal for training,
recovery and rehab, and getting back into
cycling after a few years out of the saddle.
The drive system prevents too heavy a
burden on knees or thigh muscles, and
eases the pressure on joints, tendons and
ligaments. So if you’re keen to jump back
on the bike but you’re not quite sure if
you’re up to it – an eBike may be just the
thing to ease you back into the game.
3. Flatten those hills
6. A Family affair
Thanks to the pedal-assist power of an
eBike, you can now conquer that harrowing
hill at the end of your street without
breaking a sweat! eBikes provide an
invisible ‘hand’ to give you a gentle push
and make cycling uphill almost effortless;
who wouldn’t want a helping hand every
now and then, or even a permanent
tailwind? Mountain tracks are no longer
daunting and headwinds are a distant
memory. Making the choice between a
steep scenic trail and a regular flat path
during a cycle is no longer an issue. And
PS – it’s really, really fun!
The mood can quickly turn sour when
people with unequal physical conditions
and expectations set out on a ride together.
This is when a little motor can work
wonders! eBikes’ pedal-assist offsets
differences in performance and brings
people closer together, making them ideal
for couples, families (especially when
carrying kids), and for those with slightly
‘older’ legs to help you keep up with those
sharp, shaved younger pins!
7. Easy on the wallet
4. Keeps you fit, makes you mobile
If you think eBikes are just for those who
want to take it easy then think again!
When you consider the ongoing
accumulation of fuel costs, insurance
premiums, car registration and parking