If you are looking for a means of ecological, healthy transport that allows you to save money, pay attention to the benefits of electric bicycles. You will be surprised and discover that they have many advantages over cars or motorcycles.
They reflect a commitment to a healthy life, their number increases exponentially and it is increasingly easier to see one through the streets of our cities. No, I don't mean runners or runners, but also electric bicycles. An ecological transport system that gains adherents and has many advantages over others.
In this article, you will learn about these advantages of electric bicycles in relation to other means of transport. But first, you should know what exactly an e-bike is, as it is also called.
What Is An Electric Bicycle?
It is a type of electric vehicle that consists of a bicycle to which an electric motor has been coupled to assist the user in the movement while pedaling. The energy needed by that engine is supplied by the battery that also incorporates this means of locomotion.
This is a very basic definition but that already allows us to start making a distinction with an electric moped, which is not the same as electric bicycles although they look alike and are often also referred to as e-bike. The big difference between these two means of transport lies in the use of the engine.
In an electric bicycle, the engine has the function of assisting pedaling. This means that the engine will stay on while we pedal. If we stop, the engine will shut down. On the other hand, in electric mopeds, the engine always stays on so that we can move without pedaling using an accelerator.
In addition, and according to the regulations of the European Union, the engine must be turned off when the speed of 25 km / h is reached. From there, only the electric bike will be moved by the pedaling action. In addition, the motor power will never exceed 250 W, although the law allows peaks of up to 350 W. For example when we climb a steep slope. The goal is to make it easier than with a normal bike and do not get pulled.
The differentiation between an electric bicycle and electric moped is more important than it seems. If you opt for the second one, you will have to take out your moped driving license and also take out mandatory insurance. This should not be done with an e-bike whose motor does not exceed those 250 W (except the peaks). For them, the legislation is the same as for normal bicycles without a motor.
Elements That Make Up an Electric Bicycle
Once the difference between an e-bike and an electric moped is established, it is convenient to know the different parts that make up an electric bike:
- Cycle: It is the main structure of the e-bike. The bicycle itself (frame, handlebars, wheels). It can look like a mountain bike or ride a bike and can be foldable.
- Motor: As I have already mentioned, it cannot exceed 250 W in terms of its maximum continuous power, although it allows peaks of up to 350 W. It can be located in the hub of one of the wheels, usually the front, or in the axis of the pedal.
- Battery: At first they were lead and then became nickel and metal hydride (called Ni-Mh). Currently, almost all models have lithium batteries, lighter, ecological and durable because they avoid the memory effect (loss of capacity with recharges). The autonomy you offer will depend on many factors but usually ranges between 20 and 100 kilometers. There are several types: plug-in, self-rechargeable and even solar.
- Electronic power controller: It is responsible for sending the necessary battery power to the motor to help it move at a certain speed.
- Pedal sensor: Detects the pedaling speed or force transmitted by the user to the pedals. The signal from this sensor is captured by the power controller, which from that information sends a quantity of battery power to the motor.
- Control system: This feature only appears on some electric bicycle models. It consists of an LCD screen in which we can regulate the power generated by the engine manually, among other functions.
9 Advantages Of Electric Bicycles
We arrive at the central theme of this post: the reasons that can lead you to choose to buy an electric bicycle instead of another means of transport. Keep in mind that e-bikes are used both for the city, where their use is growing and for the countryside. In the latter case, and as is evident, only the models that are adapted. As with the ride and mountain bikes. The second is valid for the city and the countryside; the first only for the city.
Beneficial For Your Health
Exercising is always good, but with our current pace of life, you don't always have time to dedicate it to the body and get fit. With an electric bicycle, you solve that problem: you can exercise from home to work, and from there back home. Or to go shopping and even go on a trip. The latter taking into account the autonomy and the need to recharge the battery, among other factors.
In addition, and thanks to the engine, it is suitable for all audiences. You don't have to be in a great way to use one. Using an e-bike you will not get sweaty and exhausted to all the places as if it could happen to you, for example, with a normal bike. Especially if you live in a town with many steep slopes. The people you interact with will appreciate it.
Fast Transport System
With electric bicycles, you can avoid continuous traffic jams in cities. You may arrive before someone who goes by car. In front of motorcycles, you have the advantage that with an e-bike you can access the bike path, which is a way that shortens time because it does not have as much traffic as the streets. There are more and more bike lanes in the cities.
Not only can the journey be faster but also the parking. Instead of driving around looking for a place to leave the vehicle, you can take it with you to the office, for example. A great advantage of folding electric bicycles is that they can be stored anywhere.
Ecological
Unfortunately, climate change is already here. While governments do not agree to develop plans that address it, citizens can perform small acts that help if not to alleviate that problem, at least not to aggravate it. Using a non-polluting means of transport can be an initiative in favor of the planet.
The energy that moves the electric bicycle derives from pedaling. If you don't pedal, the engine shuts down. This, being electric, does not emit polluting gases. Nor do you contribute to noise pollution because they are very quiet.
They Take Up Little Space
This type of vehicle occupies little space in relation to motorcycles and of course cars. Especially the folding electric bicycles that fit anywhere. So don't be afraid of possible street robbery. You can keep it inside the house and also upload it to the office, where there is surely a corner where you can leave it.
Recharge Facility
Are you worried that it is difficult to recharge electric bicycles? Quiet. You can recharge it in any plug. It will take you about five or six hours, so you will not be in danger of going to work and lying around. Also remember that some models have a self-rechargeable battery, which draws energy from braking, for example. And there are already solar models.
Cheap Energy
In this, they have no rival. Compared to the prices of diesel and gasoline, electricity is a much cheaper source of energy. The data says so: in Spain, at the price of Kw / h, the charge has a cost of just over $ 0.08. If we take into account that electric bicycles have autonomy of between 20 and 100 kilometers, depending on the model, the savings are evident. The price you pay for each kilometer does not reach the euro cent.
You have only to compare with the consumption of a car or motorcycle and the price at which diesel and gasoline are to realize that the electric bicycle will allow you to save a lot of money in the long run.
Grants
Spain subsidizes with $ 200 the purchase of electric bicycles as long as they do not mount lead-acid batteries and have autonomy of between 20 and 60 kilometers. An aid that can come to you and that represents a considerable saving in the price of the e-bike itself. You can also check to see if your autonomous community gives aid of some kind to these vehicles.
Anyone Can Use It.
Compared to motorcycles, cars and other motor vehicles, electric bicycles have another important advantage: anyone can use one. It is not necessary to obtain a driving license to carry one as it does with other motor vehicles. Remember here that electric mopeds are also often called an e-bike, and for them, it is necessary to obtain the corresponding driver's license.
More Saving Factors
At the lower price of energy compared to vehicles that use fossil fuels, more saving elements must be added. The electric bikes do not require a driving license to be used and therefore it is not necessary to have compulsory insurance to renew year after year. Good money you save here.
Another factor to consider is that it is not necessary to register the e-bike, which means another handful of doller that remain in your pocket. Not having to pay the circulation tax either, the savings are triple. All are an advantage.
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