E-Bikes: All you need to know

Cycling is now more popular than ever, and we can thank the coronavirus pandemic for that, with thousands taking to the activity during lockdown. Many have found themselves returning to cycling having the new opportunity and free time of lockdown, and since many have now stuck with it returning to work post-pandemic. Cycling proved so popular that bike shops and retailers reported selling out of stock.

Nick Harvey, Energy Saving Trust’s senior program manager for English transport said that surface transport accounts for around 23% of all UK carbon emissions, and as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue to support and participate in cycling initiatives and campaigns to benefit ourselves, physically and financially, and the environment too.

Sometimes a manual bike can’t be that method of transport suitable for long distances, but e-bikes could be…

E-Bikes Explained

An e-bike is simply an electric-assisted pedal bike. It’s a standard bicycle with the addition of a motor, and battery which supplies power to the motor and can be charged from a regular plug and socket. The motor provides assistance while the cyclist is pedalling, and the cyclist can decide how much assistance is required.

With the assistance of power and the motor on an e-bike, cycling long distances doesn’t have to be tiring. Our e-bikes at PowerRide have 3 levels of power assistance that provide up to 25km/h and give you additional power when you need it the most. You can decide when to activate the power, thus also deciding when you want to use the bike for exercise intentions.

They are currently legal to ride in the UK if you are over the age of 14 and if the speed is restricted to 15.5mph. E-bikes generally make it easier and more accessible for people with physical impairments to cycle as the power-assist motor relieves pressure from the cyclist. These people could also include anyone with health issues where physical activity could ease their recovery time, but if done too strenuously, could make it worse; an e-bike allows the user to find that happy medium.

Consider your own barriers to cycling; what’s stopping you from jumping on a bike? Chances are an e-bike could break them down. Would you cycle to work but wouldn’t want to arrive sweaty and worn out? The power motor can do some of the work for you. Do hills and upward climbs put you off? The battery-assist will make it feel effortless going uphill. Scared about cycling amongst the traffic? Having the electrical power under your pedals will mean you can keep up with cars, rather than trying to cycle after them or away from them.

Our e-bikes can give you up to 45km range on battery power alone, and up to 65km in pedal-assist mode in between charges. If you’re worried about charging still, they can be charged using a standard 3-pin plug socket, meaning you can charge at work before your commute home. This means you have enough support to go about your work commute daily with no anxiety around breaking down or having to stop and charge mid-journey; a common occurrence with cars.

If you enjoyed this blog and have further questions about E-Bikes, we recommend you read our blog on ‘Where to start with electric bikes’. If you’re wanting to get your own e-bike, visit our website here, and get yours today for £995 within 2 working days with free delivery.