We all know cycling has a lot of health benefits, but when it comes to electric bicycles people get hesitant.
Electric bikes are known to assist cyclists on their rides, so when you hear that you can improve your health by riding an e-bike, you might be a little skeptical. But we will give you some great reasons to change your mind about the health benefits of electric bicycles.
Health benefits of riding (electric) bicycles
1. It’s is good for your heart and respiration
Riding an (electric) bicycle can strengthen your cardiovascular respiratory systems. In fact, cycling for just 30 minutes every day gets your heart rate up, even if you use an electric bike.
Cardiologists have discovered that cycling is one of the best cardio exercises for people of all ages and body types. It can improve an adult’s cardiorespiratory performance as well as general health.
Several studies have shown the link between cycling to work out and a lower premature death. While it takes time to condition your lungs and heart, you will feel the benefits once you do build up your cardiovascular strength.
2. It can help you lose weight
If you intend to lose weight you might consider biking to get back in shape. When it comes to shedding the excess kilos, riding a bicycle helps burn calories. When you ride a bike at a speed of 20-25 kilometers per hour, you burn about 500 calories per hour.
Even beginners can easily ride a bike for one or two hours. So you don’t have to worry about not having enough endurance for a few hours, you can perfectly use biking as your main means of exercising.
While you are riding a bicycle, the largest muscles in your body get worked out, specifically the buttocks and legs. As you pedal those extra kilos away, you are also reshaping your body by developing your glutes, thighs, and your behind all at the same time.
3. You get endurance training, which improves the ability to cycle longer distances
Riding a bike is a physical activity that has very little impact on your joints. So even if you are cycling for miles and miles, you will not put too much stress on your knees. In fact, it will help work out your glutes, thighs and legs. As compared to walking or running, biking will let you get farther in terms of the kilometers that you can work out. Experts said that if you can walk for a kilometer, you can ride a bike for multiple kilometers, have a much better workout, and not put undue strain on the lower part of your body.
Recent studies have shown that people owning e-bikes spend more time cycling compared to people owning normal bicycles. Riding a regular bike simply tires you out faster.
E-bikes make it easier to ride longer distances, because you can continue riding your bike while giving your legs a break. You can go faster and cover a longer distance quickly with the help of the electric motor assist or by hitting the throttle and letting the electric motor do all the work. Some e-bikes allow you to switch from eco to turbo mode to help you ride up a hill without wasting too much extra energy.
An e-bike also helps facilitate workout without overloading existing injuries. For instance, older people with arthritis can ride the bike and reap many health benefits of cycling without bringing on additional pain around the sore spots.
4. It improves your mental health and brain
Being outside can improve your sense of well-being, no matter what activity you choose. Bike riding, alone or with friends, reduces stress and improves your mood. Enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and nature, no matter if you cycle alone or while having fun with friends.
People who cycle on a regular base have been found to build more confidence when cycling. You can either be cycling to get fit, for competitive reasons, or even for social reasons. Mental benefits of cycling include reduced risk of depression, better sleep, reduced stress, increased productivity and creative thinking. Undoubted this list is not complete, complement it for yourself.
All physical exercises are good for the brain because the exertion makes oxygen and nutrients flow more freely towards the brain and the muscles. Biking specifically forces more nerve cells to fire up the neurons, which in turn boost the creation of proteins that help promote the formation of new brain cells. The more you pedal, the more neurons will be produced which helps brain cells communicate faster and more efficiently with each other.
Riding a bike is especially helpful for older individuals because as people age, the brain actually shrinks and the connection between brain cells becomes weaker. If you would like to have a higher concentration level, a sharper memory, better problem solving skills, and a more efficient brain, you should definitely get into the habit of biking.
5. It activates the immune system
Even moderate biking, when done on a regular basis, can help keep sickness at bay. What the physical activity does is make immune cells more active, so your body can easily fight off infection. By riding a bike for thirty minutes a day, you will take only half of the sick days taken on by individuals who lead a more sedentary lifestyle.
6. It can help ease the discomfort of aging
For older people riding an e-bike makes them feel independant and free. Certainly when they can’t drive a car themselves an (electric) bike can help them move around. When aging, staying active gets harder and harder. Your bones and muscles deteriorate and you may suffer from aches and pains that make you dread exercising. Also for many people with disabilities who cannot ride a normal bike an electric bicycle can be a solution.
Studies have shown that biking plays a significant role in slowing down and even reversing the aging process. It can help reduce back and knee pain, and even improve the brain function in older adults. This can reduce the risk of contracting vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, as well as all the other neurodegenerative disorders related to old age. Some studies even show that cycling is also an ideal exercise for older people who have problems with balance and strength.
There are also studies which indicated that riding a bike regularly can protect your skin from the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun. It also helps diminish the signs of ageing on your skin through increased circulation. With the physical exertion brought about by biking, more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the skin.
The harmful toxins from your body are also flushed out through sweat. More importantly, collagen production is optimized because of the physical activity. This results to a reduced appearance of wrinkles. If you have wounds, being physically active will speed up the healing process. Just make sure to slather sun protection on your skin before heading out, or wear protective gear from the sun.
Conclusion
If you want to live a long, healthy life, you should definitely consider taking biking as a hobby.
Riding an e-bike helps the body fight off disease, increases heart rate, and it improves both physical and mental health. Regular biking is a high-impact exercise and can be risky for people who have health issues or nagging injuries. Riding an electric bike, however, decreases the strain on the body and mind by offering assistance from the motor so you don’t tire yourself out every time you want to ride.
