Electric bikes are one more transport that contributes to sustainable mobility within large cities. Some own one and use it frequently, and others prefer to rent it. The main difference compared to conventional models is that they have assisted pedaling, to considerably reduce the effort.
The electric bike is a vehicle that incorporates a battery that is capable of storing energy, and that is usually made of lead, nickel and metal hydride, or lithium-ion. On average, it allows a range of around 30 kilometers until it has to be recharged again. In addition, they include an electric motor, which is usually integrated into one of the wheels, usually at the rear.
The middle area of the vehicle is the most common place to find the accumulator, while the pedals include a sensor that is used to detect whether or not the cyclist is pedaling. Finally, the system controller is inserted into the handlebar, which is used to display the battery charge and regulate the intensity of the electric assistance.
This is a two-wheeler
A few years ago, the European Parliament defined the electric bike as a two-wheeled vehicle with assisted pedaling and a power equal to or less than 250 watts (0.34 CV), and that does not exceed the speed of 25 km/h. In this way, those devices that do not assist pedaling or that have a greater power, will fall within the legal consideration of motorcycles and mopeds, being subject to traffic regulations and not being able to circulate on the specific routes for bikes. For their part, for regulatory purposes, electric bikes that meet these requirements will have the same consideration as conventional ones, which means that they won’t have to pay taxes or require compulsory insurance to circulate.
This legal ‘agility’ in the use of the electric bike is one of its greatest attractions, since the user can enjoy all the benefits of electromobility (enjoy assisted pedaling while using a clean, cheap means of transport and with very few maintenance costs) without having to invest time in carrying out bureaucratic procedures that suppose a greater financial outlay as well.
In general, a cyclist cannot maintain a sustained speed greater than 100 watts for long, which would be equivalent to 6 km/h. In fact, this acceleration capacity is achieved through the ‘pedelecs’ system, which allows the electric motor to push the vehicle without the user having to make an effort. Only from 25 km/h, if the cyclist wants to go faster, he will have to accompany the use of electric assistance with his own pedaling.
Other positive aspects of electric bikes
As with conventional bikes, there are electric mountain bikes, road routes, folding or even to travel in tandem. Therefore, before making any purchase decision, it is important to define what it’s actually going to be used for. It’s not the same to use it to go to work during the week in the big city or to enjoy long walks in the countryside on Saturdays. That is, you have to choose the one that meets the user’s needs.
Among the main advantages of electric bikes, it should be noted that they allow you to easily climb terrain with a large unevenness, in addition to promoting sports practice in people who are not used to exercise among the elderly. In addition, they can improve the lifestyle, since it makes it possible to achieve a balance between combining daily physical exercise with the usual mobility needs.
