Electric assist bikes provide meaningful exercise, cardiovascular benefits

A new University of Colorado Boulder study shows that using an electrically-powered bicycle on a regular basis can provide riders with an effective workout while improving some aspects of cardiovascular health, especially for riders who previously had been sedentary.

 

 

Electric assist bicycles (“pedelecs”) are equipped with a built-in electric motor that provides modest assistance while the rider is actively pedaling, making it easier to cover greater distances and hilly terrain. Pedelecs have steadily grown more popular with consumers over the past decade, especially in Europe and Asia.

 

 

While an assist from an electric motor would get a rider disqualified from a competitive cycling competition such as the Tour de France, CU Boulder researchers were interested in studying whether or not pedelecs could help physically inactive non-cyclists achieve recommended daily fitness levels.

To conduct the study, the researchers recruited twenty non-exercising volunteers who were sedentary commuters (car commuters). The researchers tested various aspects of their health, including blood glucose regulation and fitness. The volunteers were then asked to substitute their sedentary commute for riding their pedelec at the speed and intensity of their choice for a minimum of 40 minutes three times per week while wearing a heart monitor and a GPS device.

After a month, the volunteers came back to the lab and had their health tested again. The researchers noticed improvements in the riders’ cardiovascular health, including increased aerobic capacity and improved blood sugar control.

“Commuting with a pedelec can help individuals incorporate physical activity into their day without requiring them to set aside time specifically for exercise,” said James Peterman, a graduate researcher in the Department of Integrative Physiology at CU Boulder and lead author of the new study.

Pedelec bicycles are designed to provide motorized assistance up to speeds of 20 miles per hour. Above that speed, riders must provide all the pedaling power themselves. Based on GPS data, the riders involved in the study rode at an average speed of 12.5 miles per hour and reported no crashes or accidents.

 

Researchers William Byrnes (left) and James Peterman (Photo by Sydney Chinowsky / University of Colorado Boulder)

The city of Boulder provided partial funding for the study. Data from the research was provided to the city to assist with the decision on whether or not to allow pedelecs on bike paths.

Additional funding for the research was provided by the National Institutes of Health and Boulder-based businesses Pete’s Electric Bikes, Republic Cycles and Skratch Labs, LLC

 

 

The study was co-authored by Associate Professor Rodger Kram, Associate Professor William Byrnes and undergraduate student Kalee Morris, all of the Department of Integrative Physiology at CU Boulder.

The findings were recently published online in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.

 

Original University of Colorado publication here

 

Check out last weeks 303Radio podcast interview with Luis Benitez, Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation director as part of the discussion focused on e-bike regulations and trail access and the impact they are having on cycling.

 

Watch for 303Radio’s interview with Ken Miner of Haibike on Dec 1st and learn more about one of the leading manufacturers of e-bikes hear in Colorado

 

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Comments

1 Comment

  1. James

    Its funny how a study has to be performed to prove this as it is so obvious if you take one on a ride. As a regular bike and e-bike rider I can say with certainty this is true. Although riding 10 miles on a regular bike requires more energy than my e-bike, either way I sweat a bit and feel great. The difference really comes from the fact that excuses are harder to make with an ebike. That hill between you and your destination is no longer a problem, and the wind direction does not matter!

    More riding is all that comes of an ebike! It is great to have another study back up this truth.

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