E-bikes are unlikely to help users achieve their moderate-intensity physical activity goals

E-bikes are unlikely to help users meet weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity targets because riders tend to make fewer, less physically demanding trips than regular cyclists, according to a study published in the Open Access Journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.

But e-bikes may convince older and/or overweight people who might not otherwise consider using a bike to get around on two wheels, the researchers suggest.

E-bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years, with around 3.4 million sold in the European Union in 2019, up from just 98,000 in 2006. This number is expected to further increase to 62 million by 2030. And the same rapid growth in popularity is expected in Asia and the USA

It’s not entirely clear whether e-bikes help users date recommendations for physical activity and whether they can also increase the rate of cycling accidents. Therefore, researchers compared the recommended weekly goals of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and accident rates in 1,250 electric cyclists and 629 conventional cyclists from across Germany.

Volunteers provided information on health-related quality of life, daily physical activity and health problems, as well as details of any cycling accidents. They were asked to record the riding time, distance covered and heart rate for each cycling trip for 4 weeks using an activity tracker smartwatch. Accident tracking was conducted for 12 months.

E-cyclists tended to be older, weigh more, have more serious illnesses, and exercise less, but more free time physical activity than ordinary cyclists.

E-bikers averaged almost 70 minutes less MVPA than regular cyclists, who averaged 150+ minutes more MVPA on bikes. Conventional cyclists also averaged more weekly trips than electric cyclists: about 6 versus about 4. Total time spent on the bike averaged almost 25 minutes longer among conventional cyclists, although electric cyclists had longer trips, gaining in an average of 6.5 additional minutes.

The average heart rate of the cyclists was also higher, indicating a higher level of exertion: 119 beats per minute compared to 111 beats per minute for the electric bikers.

Age, gender, underlying medical conditions, and use of bicycle for exercise and commuting were significant predictors of achieving recommended weekly physical activity levels. Electric cyclists are about half as likely to achieve these goals as conventional cyclists.

A total of 109 accidents and 157 accidents occurred during the 12 months of monitoring. After accounting for potentially influential factors, the use of an e-bike and total time spent cycling predicted the risk of a traffic accident, with electric bikers 63% more likely to have traffic accident than ordinary cyclists.

The most frequently cited reason for purchasing any type of bicycle was physical training, but electric cyclists were twice as likely to cite convenience (the ease of cycling) as conventional cyclists. There was almost no mention of protecting the environment and saving money.

“The participant characteristics of our cohort suggest that e-bike riding is of interest, particularly to those who would benefit most from health-related fitness, namely older users, overweight and obese people, or those with disabilities , related to health, and does less sports. “, the researchers write.

This is an an observational studyand researchers admit it heart rate the assessment was not as accurate as the EKG. But their findings support those of previous studies, which show that “e-bikes enable continued cycling despite physical limitations and have the potential to support physical activity and fitness,” they add.

“Further research into user motives and possible substitution of other modes of transport is needed to shed light on whether e-bikes, as an active form of electromobility, can make a relevant contribution to mitigation. traffic jams and air pollution, as well as promote an active lifestyle,” they conclude.