Summertime is upon us! As we roll into warmer weather, the opportunities for outdoor recreation will take its stride. Meaning it’s time to hop on that two wheeled saddle and enjoy the sunshine with friends and family. Whether you’re commuting, sight seeing, or just taking a casual stroll, an electric bike can enhance your experience.
1. Save on your Budget
As we all know saving money at the gas pump has been harder than ever lately. As gas prices soar commuters are looking outside the box for alternative forms of transportation. Depending where you live, an electric bike can greatly improve your budget while providing a reliable form of efficient transportation. Whether you’re renting an e-bike or looking to buy one, the price points are becoming more and more affordable. Your average mid level electric bike costs around $1,500-$2,000. If you take into account the cost of maintenance for a car compared to a bike, you’ll find a great opportunity for some serious savings. Most electric bikes cost less than a penny per mile to charge. For the amount you can save on gas and maintenance throughout its use, owning or renting an e-bike is incredible cost effective.
2. Environmentally Beneficial
As the electric bike market soars we see great opportunity in providing a more sustainable form of travel. An e-bike emits 40 to 140 times fewer pounds of greenhouse gasses than a 30 mpg gas car. A statistic that hints towards the possibility of improving air quality in a big way. More than 4 in 10 Americans live in places with unhealthy air pollution levels. That’s over 135 million people dealing with this systematic burden. In conjunction, its effects on our ozone layer has caused increasing global temperatures that are slowly degrading delicate ecosystems. In a time when the effects of carbon emissions are coming to fruition, choosing to pedal instead of drive can make a real difference.
3. A Healthy Alternative
We can all admit sometimes it’s hard to get a workout in during a busy schedule. Having to buy a gym membership just to exercise next to other sweaty people isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Which is why ebikes provide an enjoyable alternative to a traditional workout. The National Library of Medicine published a study concluding that “Data analysis revealed that e-cycling improved participants’ mental and physical wellbeing and that they felt happier when riding an e-bike.” Think about working out a little every time you make a commute. That’s what owning an e-bike allows you to do. Yes its pedal assisted, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Similarly to how indoor cycling machines work, modern e-bikes allow you to choose your pedal assist setting on a scale typically ranging from 1-5. So you can choose what intensity of a workout you want during your ride. If that’s not convincing enough, then check out this article from the New York Times illustrating just how beneficial e-biking can really be.
4. Functionality
Lets face it, riding up big hills isn’t enjoyable for most. With an e-bike you can go further, faster! As e-bikes have increased in popularity, the technology behind them has followed. Even the entry level e-bikes allow you to accelerate up to 20mph making those big hills easier than ever. Not only do they provide the power to prevent your legs from feeling sore, they’re design to be compatible with many useful accessories. Including a storage bag that can attach above the rear wheel or in front of the handle bars. Or a head light that seamlessly integrates into the bikes battery system for those darker rides. Generally speaking your average e-bike battery can last up to five years before it will need replaced. A single charge can last up to 50-150 miles depending on the power output settings. These capabilities allow e-bikes to provide a reliable and comfortable ride for whatever you demand.
5. Accessibility
Did you know Colorado has a free e-bike program to help fight climate change? The Can Do Colorado E-bike Pilot program launched in fall 2020 by the Colorado Energy Office, the City of Denver, and The Regional Air Quality Council. This program is designed to encourage energy-efficient transportation to demonstrate how useful e-bikes can be. This program targets low income workers aiming to provide a cost effective form of transportation. The program has given over 100 e-bikes away and isn’t slowing don anytime soon. Aside from programs like this, e-bikes have become more and more accessible through there increasing affordability. Surprisingly e-bikes account for around 88% of the worldwide market which has led to an increase in bike shops e-bike inventory. Between 2020 and 2023 there’s an estimated 130 million e-bikes to be sold worldwide. This competitive market has driven costs down making owning an e-bike a reality for your average person.. like you!
Summary
The e-bike revolution is now! Regardless of where you live, an e-bike can benefit your mind, body, and soul. Whether you use it as a commuter, or just for recreation, it can provide an opportunity to connect with others and root yourself in a more sustainable community. The increasing number of e-bikes provides the catalyst for people becoming more focused, healthy, and environmentally conscious. So why not join the movement and get rolling!
Are you interested in e-bikes but haven’t tried one? Looking for things to do in Durango? Here at Roll we offer e-bike rentals so you can see what the craze is all about. Grab your friends or family and enjoy our combo package allowing you to e-bike and paddle board all in one day. Including an option to have a hand-made gourmet lunch by Laura’s Artesian or Nosh Durango. Your lunch will be personally delivered to your group in-between activities. Simply access our user friendly online booking system and schedule your adventure today!
