8 Electric Bike Health Benefits

An electric bike is one with a small battery-powered motor. Depending on the model, it can provide assistance with pedaling or propel the bike forward entirely on its own. Some people mistakenly believe that there are no health benefits to riding an electric bike because the motor does all the work. This is not true. In fact, because an electric bike makes riding easier and more pleasant, you may end up getting more exercise by using it more often. There are specific health benefits associated with riding an electric bicycle. Here are some of the most significant.

Reduces Stress & Anxiety

If you are feeling anxious or stressed, an electric bicycle ride can help you feel more calm and relaxed. It is believed that physical activity triggers the production of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Part of the purpose of neurotransmitters is to mediate emotions. As a result, you may find that your mood gets a significant lift following a ride on your electric bicycle.

Boosts Immunity

Your immune system protects you from infection and disease. Certain factors can diminish it, while others can increase it. Exercise is an example of an immune system booster. You don't necessarily need to take a long ride for it to be effective: 20 minutes at a time should be sufficient. More specifically, studies have shown that riding regularly may make you 29% less likely to contract an upper respiratory tract infection.

Can Kick-Start Weight Loss

Weight loss requires that you burn more calories through activity than you consume. It is a delicate balance, but regular riding can certainly be an important factor. One expert calculates that you could potentially lose a pound of fat every two weeks if you take a vigorous bike ride for up to 45 minutes two or three times per week.

Helps Cognitive Function

Cognition refers to the thinking process. As you get older, neurodegenerative conditions such as vascular dementia or Alzheimer's can disrupt the process and diminish your thinking ability. While the reasons aren't entirely clear, research suggests that riding a bike regularly can help improve and maintain brain function.

Improves Mental Health

In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, riding an electric bike offers other mental health benefits. Bike riding improves memory by helping to build the brain cells responsible for storing past experiences. Cycling can be a meditative experience that helps to strengthen your mind-body connection.

Improves Sleep Quality

Your body's circadian rhythm is what tells it when it is time to rest and when it is time to be active. Regular exercise helps to keep your internal clock synchronized. It also reduces the levels of stress hormones so that you get a better quality of sleep. This helps keep you more alert upon waking.

Increases Metabolism

Metabolism is the process of breaking down food and fat to produce energy. Exercise helps to increase metabolism, and if you participate in an activity regularly, it can help maintain your metabolism to the level that you keep burning calories even at rest.

Improves Heart Health

The heart is a muscle, and like skeletal muscles, exercise makes it stronger and more efficient. Physical activity requires your heart to work a little harder, which gradually helps to build it up and make it healthier.

In fact, the benefits of regularly riding an electric bike can develop throughout the cardiovascular system, not just the heart. The capillaries are tiny blood vessels where oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange takes place. Moderate exercise can help make the capillaries more efficient.

These are not the only possible health benefits from riding an electric bike, but they are some of the most prominent. In many cases, the key to reaping these benefits is consistency, riding your bike on a regular basis. We offer a selection of both traditional and electric bikes to suit your needs.