While an e-bike may keep me riding a bicyle in my old age, will it help maintain my fitness?
There is increasing evidence that e-bikes have the potential to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. For example, the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (IJBNPA) published the study Physical activity when riding an electric assisted bicycle that found that e-bikes rider spent most time at a moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity level.
In another study, Effect of E-Bike Versus Bike Commuting on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Overweight Adults: A 4-Week Randomized Pilot Study published in Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine found that e-bikes may have the potential to improve cardiorespiratory fitness similar to conventional bicycles despite the available power assist.
Finally, a study Pedelecs as a physically active transportation mode. published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers found that e-bikes can improve some cardio metabolic risk factors within only 4 weeks. So it looks like e-bikes can help maintain fitness.
Ken Whittaker