Also known as an e-bike like Rydy Bikes for example, it is nothing more than a model that uses an integrated electric motor to help propel the vehicle. There is a wide variety of electric bicycles: some lighter ones reach speeds between 20 km/h and 32 km/h, while other more powerful ones reach 45 km/h. They use rechargeable batteries and have been gaining popularity in Brazil and worldwide.

Benefits

The main benefit and Health Benefits of Riding an Electric Bike over the normal bicycle is its practicality. It allows you to use a practically non-polluting vehicle to get around the city practically and quickly. For those with physical limitations or who don’t want to get to work in a sweat, the electric bicycle plays a special role in urban mobility, creating independence from cars and the crowding of public transport. It encourages physical exercise while being a great ally on uphill routes. Not to mention that it does not emit polluting gases in the urban area. Being able to rely on electrical assistance and requiring less pedaling effort makes people more confident at slightly longer distances.

Characteristics

There are two large groups of electric bicycles: the first is pedelecs, bicycles without accelerators and whose motors are activated as the cyclist pedals. In this case, the bicycle will only move from pedaling. The other group comprises electric bicycles with a throttle. They can accelerate, pedal, or combine the two functions.

In both groups, the main components of an electric bicycle are the motor; the battery, which is responsible for powering the engine; the electronic controller or module that controls the speed of the motor; the accelerator; the pedal assist system (PAS); and the instrument panel, where you can follow the bike’s information in real-time, such as battery level and speed.

It is necessary to discuss legislation that encourages the use of electric bicycles. The importance of this law covers issues such as discouraging the use of automobiles and reinforcing the demand for infrastructure for cyclists.

Many countries have already enacted laws that work well to regulate the use of electric bicycles. For this, it was necessary to define characteristics to classify what is or is not an e-bike. Electric bicycles have very different characteristics, so it is not enough to define an electric bicycle as a two-wheel vehicle with an electric drive system. Electric bikes must be configured according to the intended use. For this reason, maximum speed, autonomy, torque, power, type of acceleration and sensors, resistance against rain and sea air, weight, traction, etc., must be considered. For now, the lack of consideration and knowledge delays these vehicles’ progress and order of insertion, which will undoubtedly conquer a significant place in future mobility.

Benefits of owning an electric bike;

• A great opportunity to get in shape;
• You can save a lot of money;
• There are no licenses or taxes required to fly one;

The bicycle is considered one of the fastest means of transport in big cities;

You won’t need to get to work sweaty by going by bike.

All this without counting the many benefits that a conventional bicycle brings. Learn more about this topic in the article: “Bicycle: history, parts, and Benefits.”

Problems

One must consider the indirect pollution generated by the electric bicycle in the generation of electric energy for its use, in addition to its manufacture and disposal, and in these cases, the batteries are the main problem. Even so, the positive effects on the environment still win out, as an e-bike has a much lower environmental impact than conventional cars.

Previously made of lead and acid, batteries are being replaced by lithium-ion batteries, which, in addition to being more durable (normally having between 400 and 2000 recharge cycles), are much less toxic and can be recycled. New technologies to make batteries with greater longevity and less disposal impact are being developed every day. And we can’t forget the solar-powered electric bike models.