It’s fun to get to know a destination at handle-bar level, to explore the nooks and crannies along the way, to stop places you wouldn’t have stopped in a car, to get your heart racing, and experience the kick of adrenaline that comes with being active. Electric bikes – or ebikes – literally kick it up a notch, making those climbs less of a chore and more of a thrill and allowing you to go farther and faster than you may have with your own pedal power.
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But how do electric bikes work and what are its advantages? Read on to find out if its worth upgrading to an ebike on your next cycling holiday.
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How does an electric bike work?
What is the difference between an electric bike and a regular bike?
What are the advantages of using an ebike?
Who would most benefit from using an electric bike?
Why are ebikes more expensive than a regular bike?
Should I still train for my cycling trip even though I will have an ebike?
First off though, when we're talking about ebikes we are not referring to electric motorcycles or mopeds, but bicycles that must be pedalled to activate the integrated electric motor. They are simply used to assist the rider’s pedal-power and give them an extra ‘boost’ when needed. Terms commonly used for this type of ebike are ‘electric assist’, ‘pedal assist’, ‘pedalec’ or ‘step-through electric assist’ bicycles.
Electric bikes enable people of all different fitness levels to cycle together and tackle routes that previously would have been too difficult, such as pedalling up that steep incline or taking on a more lengthy cycling distance. It won't leave you exhausted halfway with that extra push from the battery and motor built into the bicycle.
When riding an ebike, the display will show you how fast you are going and the distance you've ridden. Depending on the model, ebikes can provide up to 80 kilometres of pedal assistance before requiring recharging. Simple charge the battery, attach it to your ebike, turn on the power and adjust the pedal assist level to how much or how little 'boost' you would like on your journey.
Each e-bike has a range of pedal-assist levels (eco, normal and high) and can be easily charged up at night by your guide. Our guides will also demonstrate how to operate the bike so you're set to go. Easy!
An electric bike has all the features of a regular bicycle with the addition of an electrical drive system.
They are slightly bigger and heavier than the ordinary bike due to its motor, however, don't get them confused a scooter or electric motorcycle; they are quite different. Ebikes still need to be pedalled, shifted, and steered like you would any other bike, only with the added benefit of having a small engine to assist with your pedalling. So having reasonable handling to hold up an ebike and the ability to balance on a bicycle is a basic requirement.
1. They are eco-friendly and efficient. Just like touring by conventional bicycle, environmental benefits can be realized by substituting vehicle-based tours with touring by ebike. Since they run on rechargeable batteries and don’t burn any fuel, electric bicycles don’t release any harmful gases into the atmosphere.
2. Easy to use. Ebikes are quick to master and make active holidays physically easier without taking away from the adventurous spirit of the trip.
3. Make a great equaliser when different members of the family or friends have different strength and stamina levels. With a little extra power, rough terrain is no longer an issue, and daunting headwinds won’t slow you down. Simply put, ebikes make cycle touring possible – and more appealing – for more people. Not everyone has the stamina or strength for multiple days of cycling; however, plenty of people are interested in being active and experiencing the sights and landscapes that are accessible during a bicycle tour. And, for those with physical limitations such as joint or back pain, the boost that comes from the pedal-assist motor reduces strain and makes riding more comfortable.
4. Can mean a more fun ride. For many, choosing an ebike can mean a more relaxed journey where you can spend more time enjoying your surroundings than huffing and puffing. You can better enjoy your surrounds with electric assistance to minimise the physical challenges, so you focus more on taking in new places and welcoming new experiences. It just adds that extra comfort and ease on the trail.
5. Are an added safety net. With less impact on your joints and reducing much of the cycling strain on your legs than a regular bike, if you have injuries or physical conditions, an electric bike allows you to still have a fun and active time. It also won't make you feel like the odd one out.
6. Allow you to achieve bigger goals! Tougher cycling routes seem more achievable and if you're a newcomer to cycling trips, you can enjoy the benefits of an ebike at handlebar level.
Built with comfort and simple operation in mind, and with unisex frames available, an ebike makes it easy for anyone looking to enjoy the ride without the physical strain. This makes cycling trips around the world a viable option, regardless of one's fitness level.
Aren't an avid cyclist, new to road cycling and cycling holidays or nervous about your endurance on the trail? Upgrading to an electric bike can help you feel more confident.
Want to tackle tougher climbs? An ebike allows for that extra boost.
Have joint issues or recovering from an injury and not quite back to full physical capacity? The added support from an ebike takes it easy on your legs and knees than when riding a traditional bike.
Choosing an electric bike is a great solution for those who are concerned about their fitness or physical capabilities, allowing people with varying levels of cycling experience, health and fitness levels the opportunity to cycle together.
The added motor and the fact that an ebike will require more maintenance means hiring an electric bike will cost more than an ordinary bike. So if the support and added ease of an electric pedal assist on your travels appeals to you, it may well be worth the investment.
Yes. If you're looking to complete a multi-day ebike ride, we still recommend riding practice on a variety of terrains and cycling regularly to make your trip more enjoyable. So perhaps you can do that cycling trip across Prince Edward Island your friends want to do?
Renting an ebike on your active holiday still means you can and will put in the effort during your journey; you’ll just get a little ‘boost’ when you need it.
If you’re curious about being able to ride through stunning landscapes that you may otherwise steer clear of, we have a number of cycle tours with ebike options available.
Here are five reasons e-bikes are better than bikes, and five reasons they're better than cars
E-bikes, also known as electric bikes, eBikes or electric assist bikes, are bicycles with an onboard electric motor and battery that gives you extra power when you’re pedalling. They’re becoming more and more popular, and these days you can buy almost any kind of bicycle with electric assist, from high-performance mountain bikes and road bikes, to commuter-friendly town bikes and folding bikes.
Nevertheless, whatever form they take, e-bikes are expensive, and that cost can feel hard to justify. If you’re wondering whether e-bikes are worth it, read on. We’ll go through all the main advantages an e-bike can offer over a regular bike, and even some advantages an e-bike can offer over your car, too.
Read more: What are e-bikes and should I get one? GCN's complete guide
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Many e-bike motors are discreet and lightweight
First of all, here are some reasons why an e-bike is better than a normal bicycle.
On most e-bikes, you can choose how much assistance your e-bike gives you, with some settings giving you a massive 250 watt boost, and with others letting you do most of the work yourself. This makes e-bikes really versatile, because you can choose between getting from A to B without breaking a sweat, or having a tough workout.
For example, you could cycle to work with the maximum assistance so you arrive in the office as fresh as a daisy. When home-time comes, you could turn the assistance down and push yourself on the return journey.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Electric Bicycles. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
On an e-bike, you’ve got the power and energy of your legs, plus a motor capable of outputting 250 watts. The battery capacity of each e-bike depends on the model, but one thing is for sure: on an e-bike, you can go faster, and you can ride further. That opens up a lot of routes and adventures that wouldn’t be possible on a normal bike, especially for less physically fit riders. An e-bike can allow you to tackle climbs that would otherwise be too tough and see places that would otherwise be out of reach.
Because of that extra speed, e-bikes can make riding among cars feel a lot safer than on a normal bike. When riding in traffic, the worst part is often the feeling of traffic whizzing past from behind. On an e-bike, you can comfortably cruise at 25kph, meaning the speed difference between you and the drivers is much smaller, and busy urban roads feel a lot less intimidating.
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Modern e-road bikes are virtually identical to normal road bikes
Riding with friends is great, but if there’s a big fitness disparity in the group, it can take the fun out of group riding. Inevitably, there will be someone at the front, wishing the rest of the group would hurry up, and someone at the back, desperately trying to cling on to the pace.
With an e-bike, there’s no danger of trailing behind. You can head out with groups of faster riders with confidence, safe in the knowledge that you won’t hold up the group.
Even if you are a road cyclist who regularly rides above the 25kph limit that e-bike motors must adhere to (or 20mph if you’re in the US), you can still benefit from an e-bike. On flat terrain, when you’re riding with a fast group, you can still pedal the bike above that limit, and it’ll feel almost like a normal bike.
It’s when the hills come, and your speed drops below 25kph, that the e-bike comes into its own. On an e-bike, hills can become your chance to recover, as you let the motor kick in and power you to the top. If you’re riding with a group, it’ll give you a moment to get your breath back, just as everyone else is working their hardest.
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Five reasons an e-bike is better than a car
Since they have that electric motor on board, e-bikes can replace your car for most short, day-to-day journeys. In fact, in many ways, e-bikes are better than cars:
Few things can be more frustrating than struggling to find a parking spot. As more and more towns and cities restrict the amount of parking available, and as more and more cars fill our road networks, it’s only going to get more difficult and expensive to find a spot.
On an e-bike meanwhile, you can park right outside your destination, for free, every time. Of course, e-bikes are expensive, so get some insurance so you can lock up with peace of mind.
Sitting in traffic is a waste of time. 2022 data says that London drivers lose 148 hours a year to traffic, whilst New Yorkers lose 112 hours, Parisians 120 hours and Dubliners 158 hours.
On an e-bike, you can use bike lanes and back streets to skip past traffic, or slip between cars and get where you want to go. You’ll save time and fuel, and have a far less frustrating journey.
To charge an e-bike enough to take you 10 miles requires just 3p of electricity. To travel the same journey in a car costs £1.50 — that’s 50 times more expensive.
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Small, nimble wheels, a step-through frame and a basket: the Orbea Katu E
In 2022, the World Health Organisation found that billions of people breathe air with pollution levels above WHO air quality limits. In most towns and cities, road traffic is the biggest cause of pollution, with particulates from car tyres posing the biggest health risk — that’s right, even a ‘zero emissions’ electric car causes air pollution.
By leaving the car on the drive and taking an e-bike, you will make the air in your town a little bit cleaner to breathe.
E-bikes might give you a boost from the motor, but you still move your body. In fact, research shows that the physical activity gains from active travel are similar for riders on e-bike and conventional bicycles, because although e-biking requires less energy, e-bikers tend to ride further than cyclists using normal bikes. Substituting your car for an e-bike leads to a dramatic increase in activity levels, even if you use an e-bike with a high level of assistance.
That means that by taking an e-bike instead of a car, you will experience the raft of benefits that come with physical activity: improved brain health, better weight management, reduced risk of disease, stronger bones and muscles, better sleep.
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