The Industrial Revolution was a pivotal moment for human civilization as it brought the age of the automobile. Today, automobiles are prevalent globally and have become the preferred mode of transportation for most people.
However, while they offer unparalleled comfort and convenience, scientific advancements and research show that automobiles significantly harm the environment. Thus, people are increasingly switching to other options. While public transit is arguably one of the best options, as people become increasingly environment-conscious, many are switching to electric cars as an alternative.
But while electric cars gain the most mainstream attention, electric bikes are proving to be an even better transportation option.
Here’s how electric bikes benefit the environment:
They Reduce Reliance on Personal Vehicles
While having a car might be ideal for traveling to and from work, having many cars in an area results in several issues. For starters, cars take up considerable space on the road, meaning more personal vehicles result in traffic jams. In addition, using personal vehicles also increases global carbon emissions – so they’re not exactly a friend to the environment.
Fortunately, that’s where electric bikes can help. Not only are electric bikes perfect for short-distance commutes – most electric bicycles today have a riding range between 40 and 100 miles – but they also complement public transport. A folding electric bike can be taken on the metro or subway. You could ride the metro or subway to the nearest stop to your destination and then complete the rest of your journey via bike.
According to research, 83 percent of Canadians own a personal vehicle. While cars make traveling around the city easier, the problem is that they significantly contribute to global emissions. According to the International Energy Agency, transportation accounts for nearly 24 percent of the world’s energy-related emissions.
Electric bikes can help resolve this issue by offering an alternative transportation method to personal vehicles that work well with public transit.
No Emissions Produced
While electric car production and usage has ramped up considerably in the past decade, the reality is that Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles are still prevalent. ICE vehicles are powered by gas, oil, or diesel. Fossil fuels for transportation result in considerable emissions annually.
On the other hand, electric bikes don’t consume oil, gas, or fuel. Thus, they produce no emissions. Instead, such bikes only rely on human and electric energy for momentum. Electric bikes have an electric motor that assists with pedaling, making it less taxing on the rider’s glutes, hamstrings, and knees.
Some might claim that most people charging their electric bikes use the energy the power grid provides, most likely generated through fossil fuels. While that’s true, some factors must be considered. Firstly, electric bikes require less energy to recharge than other electric vehicles. Secondly, you can use solar or renewable energy to charge your electric bike, making it environmentally friendly.
Since electric bikes don’t release fumes or toxic gases into the air, they’re a particularly good option for urban cities. This is why many city planners believe electric bikes will play a pivotal role in future smart cities.
Electric Bikes Use Long-Lasting Batteries
It’s no secret that electric bikes use batteries to power their electric motor, which assists riders with pedaling. Similarly, electric vehicles also use batteries to power their systems.
However, the primary distinguishing factor between how electric bikes and cars use batteries is that electric bikes primarily use lithium-ion instead of lead batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries usually last three to five times as long as lead acid batteries, meaning they must be disposed of less frequently, resulting in fewer batteries being dumped globally in landfill sites.
Take Less of a Toll on Roads
Electric bikes are also much lighter than cars and other vehicles, such as buses, vans, etc. Research shows the average car weighs around 4,100 pounds. On the other hand, most electric bikes weigh between 40 and 80 pounds, although that number can vary based on the type, battery, motor size, etc.
Nonetheless, electric bikes don’t take as much toll on roads as cars, trucks, buses, etc. Since electric bikes weigh less, they cause less road damage than other transportation methods, meaning roads need to be paved less often.
Heavy vehicles are generally used to pave and repair roads, polluting the environment further. Therefore, an electric bike can also positively impact the environment in other ways than simply producing no emissions.
Conclusion
Electric bikes continue to gain market share across the globe because they are an effective mode of transportation that’s also environment-friendly. These bikes are particularly well-suited for shorter commutes and complement public transit well, which has primed them to be used more frequently in smart cities.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, electric bikes help people get fitter and lose weight. Therefore, consider getting an electric bike today!
