Given how global warming and climate change have escalated drastically over the past few years, more people are opting for environmentally friendly ways to move around, and this includes using e-bikes. There are numerous benefits of having an e-bike over a conventional car. For one, using a bike can make it easier to ride on trails, avoid crowded roads, and reduce the need for you to use your car. Additionally, cycling is excellent for your health, so if you want to stay healthy as you age, you should bike more.
In places like Canada, the e-bike market size is expected to hit about $30 million in 2023 and grow by a CAGR of 5.65%, allowing it to hit 42 million by 2029. Following these figures, you can see that the e-bike market is quite promising, and if you're willing to add to these figures by purchasing one of your own, here's what you need to know:
What is an E-bike?
An electric bike or an e-bike is a motorized bike that assists you when pedaling. Unlike a traditional bike, these devices use a rechargeable battery to power up the motor, allowing you to move easily. The harder you pedal, the more the motor will boost itself to help you move faster. This makes e-bikes an effective vehicle to allow you to move around the city. As e-bikes are getting recognized as valid modes of transportation across Canada in cities like Toronto, you can also get behind this trend by looking into electric bikes in Canada and finding the right choice.
What do you look for in an E-bike?
Before making your purchase, you need to know what to look for in an e-bike. These bikes are different from traditional bicycles, so the best way to know whether you made the right choice is by researching effectively. Here are some pointers that can help you:
1. Speed
Your bike's speed is crucial when picking your first e-bike. You want a cycle that goes fast and has significant power. If your choice of bike is underpowered, you will struggle to pedal it and have to exert twice as much energy cycling to the top of a hill or on elevated terrain. So, as you're making your choice, be sure to check the top speed and performance figures of your bike. Most e-bikes have a maximum speed of 250 watts, which is enough to allow them to reach 25 km/h. In terms of performance, this is an excellent bike to own.
2. Battery Life
The last thing you want to do is purchase a bike with a faulty battery. Without a functional battery, an e-bike cannot power itself, which defeats the purpose of owning an electric bike in the first place. E-bikes have an expensive battery fitted into them. If these get damaged, you will have to dip heavily into your savings to get them replaced. Hence, when picking your bike, make sure you choose one with a lithium-ion battery over lead or nickel since these last longer. Generally, the lifespan of these batteries is about two to five years, but if you're careful about usage and charge it on time, you can easily bring it up to ten years. When the battery is sufficiently recharged, you can ride up to 100 to 120 km per charge.
3. The Load It Can Carry
E-bikes are light. This is understandable since you will need them to ride through various terrains, and their light weight allows them to do that. However, this also means you cannot load much weight onto your e-bike. Most e-bikes can take about 220 to 300 pounds. Only specialized bikes that are made to carry cargo can handle 550 pounds. Moreover, as evident from their load-bearing capacity, these bikes are not designed to carry two people at one time but are intended for single-person use only.
4. The Noise It Produces
E-bikes are not noisy. Unlike motorcycles and scooters, these bikes are very silent. This is because e-bikes don't have an engine or use gasoline to power themselves. As a result, when you ride an e-bike, you can enjoy the silence and take in the experience without feeling annoyed by the sound. Therefore, As you purchase your bike, make sure it produces no noise. If you hear a rattle or a mild noise, that means your product is defective. You should also check for the chain; the motor and chain should make no sound. Owing to these facts, when you make your purchase, get your bike evaluated for noise.
Final Thoughts
E-bikes are an environmentally friendly option when it comes to transport. If you're looking for a sustainable way to travel, consider purchasing an e-bike. Furthermore, e-bikes are much easier to manage than a traditional bike or car. It doesn't have many spare parts and only requires a functioning motor. But, if you want to have an e-bike that will last you a few years, you need to pay attention to your choice of bike. Make sure it runs efficiently, has a good battery, and produces minimal noise. Likewise, educate yourself on how to use your bike and how much load you can exert before it stops. With these factors in mind, you will have no trouble finding your bike.
