Electric Bicycles: The Solution to America’s Obesity Epidemic?
If you haven’t heard of the electric bicycle or e-bike by now, it is about time you learned of this new transportation innovation that is pedaling (or motoring!) through the world’s markets recently. What exactly is an e-bike? It is a regular bicycle with an electric motor attached to an electric battery for power, and sometimes also comes equipped with a handgrip throttle for manual power.
Why are e-bikes relevant to the discussion Americans and citizens of many other countries are having about how to solve their obesity epidemics? E-bikes may provide an innovative and effective solution to obesity through several means:
Many, if not most people in modern times rely solely on their car or a taxicab to travel from place to place, and the only physical activity they do is walking short distances to and from their car and inside buildings or their home. Due to the combination of manual pedal power by the operator and electric power by the motor, e-bikes can allow you to get where you need to go on time while still providing you with great exercise when you use it as a regular bike.
What is really special and welcoming about e-bikes to any obese person or just anyone who wants to get into better shape are the dual options of powering the e-bike through your feet using the pedals or through the electric motor using either your feet or the throttle, depending on which type of e-bike you choose. The e-bike really is the perfect exercise equipment for someone who needs to lose weight but lacks the motivation to do so through the conventional methods at their disposal.
a) Do you jog? Why strain your ankles and knees when you can use them with just as much intensity but much smoother and efficiently riding an e-bike?
b) Do you run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike in a gym, trying to compete with more fit people there or not feeling comfortable going at your own pace? With your own e-bike now you can ride outside in the fresh air, on your own time and at your own pace, with no worries. Who knows, maybe you will even meet another e-bike rider with the same fitness needs and concerns as you.
3) Are you one of those people who take the stairs when you can, only to feel completely exhausted and demotivated and can’t catch your breath when you’re done? How about getting those legs moving in a much more relaxed way, which will slowly enable you to build up your confidence in your abilities, both from exercising on your own terms and from exploring the world around you when you do? E-bikes have a battery range of up to 45 miles per charge, so you can explore new bike routes, parks, and even places to shop or meet new people, while getting a great workout simultaneously!
By now it should be clear to you just how perfectly suited the e-bike is to the unique physical and psychological needs of an obese or overweight person. If all of the above reasons weren't enough to entice you to look into buying an e-bike, consider the fact that there are several high quality e-bikes under $1000, so you don’t have to injure your body or your bank account to ride an e-bike to a healthier body!
