All about e-bikes
Environmental benefits of electric bikes
Author:
Anastasiia Chub
Electric bicycles are an innovative contraption that is gradually changing how people think about transportation. Great ways to get around with a clean, green method of transportation, electric bikes are efficient, cost-effective, yet very environmentally friendly.
Throughout the article, we will discuss in detail many of the advantages that electric bikes provide in relation to the environment. As we begin to discover through this exciting world of electric bikes, one finds that electric bikes do an awful lot of good for the environment.
Without further ado, here are the environmental benefits of electric bikes:
Electric bikes are much like regular bicycles, with the primary difference being the addition of a battery-powered motor designed to help the rider overcome hills, headwinds, or long distances.
A throttle, pedaling, or a combination of both can activate the motor.
Depending on the type and model, the motor might provide assistance with anything from a gentle boost to a full-power ride.
The batteries in an e-bike are rechargeable from a standard outlet or with a solar panel.
Some factors that will affect battery life and range include the degree of assist, speed, incline/decline, weight of the rider, and weather conditions. An electric bike can usually cover from 20 to 60 with one charge; some models, such as Whizz’s Storm-2, can run more.
There are several types of electric bikes, such as:
They can also have a variation in features and accessories such as lights, fenders, racks, baskets, locks, and GPS.
That's what makes electric bikes suitable for the different needs and preferences of different users, be it commuters, couriers, recreational riders, or adventurers.
Now, let’s get on to exploring the environmental benefits of electric bikes.
Electric bikes are good for the environment because they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, noise pollution, and traffic congestion.
They can also promote a more efficient use of energy and resources, and a more responsible consumption of goods and services. Here’s a deep dive into some of the ways that electric bikes can benefit the environment:
Greenhouse gases are one of the prime causes of global warming and climate change. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas for electricity, heating, transportation, and industry produces these gases.
As stated by the World Health Organization (WHO), 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, and this sector is dominated by road transport.
E-bikes can help reduce GHG emissions by replacing car trips with zero-emission trips. In fact, according to a study by the European Cyclists' Federation, an e-bike can save up to 250 grams (8.8 ounces) of CO2 per kilometer (0.6 miles) compared with a car.
This, therefore, means that if a person replaces a 10-kilometer (6-mile) car trip with an e-bike every day, they can save up to 912.5 kilograms (2011.7 lbs) of CO2 a year. That equates to the CO2 absorbed by 45 trees within a single year.
E-bikes can also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by attracting more cyclists.
According to one survey done by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), e-bikes could increase the number of cycling trips by 50% and could attract groups of new cyclists, like older people, women, and people with health problems.
By raising the modal share of cycling, e-bikes decrease the demand for car journeys and related emissions.
The other most deteriorating environmental issue is air pollution, affecting human health and well-being. It occurs due to the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere.
These include particulate matter PM, nitrogen oxides NOx, sulfur dioxide SO2, ozone O3, and volatile organic compounds VOC.
The origin of these substances comes from several sources, including vehicles, factories, power plants, fires, and agriculture.
According to the WHO, air pollution causes about 7 million premature deaths annually and increases the risk for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and stroke.
Electric bikes can reduce air pollution by replacing car trips with zero-emission trips.
According to a study from the University of Colorado Boulder, e-bikes are able to reduce PM emissions by up to 95%, NOx emissions by up to 65%, and VOC emissions by up to 50% compared to a car.
This means that every replacement of a 6-mile car trip with an e-bike every day can avoid up to 2.86 lbs per year of PM, 7.93 lbs per year of NOx, and 1.32 lbs per year of VOC emissions.
That's equivalent to PM emitted from 130 cigarettes, NOx emitted from 3600 cigarettes, or VOCs emitted from 600 cigarettes.
E-bikes may also contribute to the decrease in air pollution by incentivizing more people to cycle.
According to a study on behalf of the European Environment Agency, a 10% increase in the modal share of cycling in European cities decreases PM emissions by up to 2.3%, NOx emissions by up to 4%, and VOC emissions by up to 3.6%.
Consequently, e-bikes will decrease the extent of exposure to air pollution with its associated health impacts as more cyclists take to cycling.
Noise pollution is another environmental problem that affects human health and well-being. It is caused by exposure to unwanted or harmful sounds, such as traffic, construction, industry, or entertainment.
Research suggests that noise pollution can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disturbance, stress, anxiety, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
Electric bikes can reduce noise pollution by replacing car trips with low-noise trips. According to a study by the ECF, e-bikes can reduce noise levels by up to 12 decibels (dB) compared to a car.
This means that if a person replaces a 6-mile car trip with an e-bike trip every day, they can reduce the noise exposure by up to 120 dB per day. That’s equivalent to the noise level of a jet plane taking off.
Electric bikes can also reduce noise pollution by encouraging more people to cycle.
According to a study by the EEA, increasing the modal share of cycling by 10% in European cities can reduce noise levels by up to 1 dB. Thus, increasing the number of cyclists can help create a more quiet and peaceful urban environment.
Other environmental issues, such as traffic congestion, affect the person's mobility and productivity. Congestion happens when there are many vehicles on the road network. When this happens, it tends to have lower travel speeds and increased travel times that consume much fuel.
Research has indicated that traffic congestion costs the economy of the US over $160 billion annually in terms of lost hours and fuel.
E-bikes can ease traffic congestion by replacing some car trips with space-efficient trips, and studies show that one e-bike can save up to 2 square feet of road space per mile compared to a car.
This means if one replaces a car trip of 6 miles with an e-bike every day, he or she can save up to 21 square feet of road space each day. That is the size of a small bathroom.
Electric bikes can also reduce traffic congestion by encouraging more people to cycle.
The TTI study tells us that increasing the modal share of cycling by 10% in US cities can reduce travel time by up to 4.6% and fuel consumption by up to 3.9%.
E-bikes will improve the efficiency and performance of the road network by increasing the number of cyclists.
Electric bikes have the potential to promote a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle by making it possible to use energy and resources more effectively and consume goods and services more responsibly.
Electric bikes can offer better exploitation of energy and resources. Electric bikes can also reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase renewable energy sources.
The study by the ECF indicates that the e-bike can use up to 21 times less energy per 0.6 miles compared with a car and up to 13 times less than a train.
This means a person can save up to 7.3 megajoules of energy daily if he or she replaces one 6-mile car trip with an e-bike trip daily. That is the amount of energy a laptop consumes in 24 hours.
Electric bikes can further enable efficient use of energy and resources by reducing the demand for materials such as steel, aluminum, rubber, plastic, and glass.
According to a report by the ECF, an electric bike can weigh as much as 20 times less than the weight of a car or up to 10 times less than a train.
This means that if a person is replacing a 6-mile car trip with an e-bike one every day, he potentially saves up to 3.3 lbs of materials per day—the weight equivalent of 15 bottles of water.
Furthermore, e-bikes have the capability to increase the application of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydropower.
An example is some e-bikes that are designed to have integrated solar panels on their frames in order to generate electricity while one is pedaling.
Some e-bikes can also be charged using electricity from the grid coming from renewable sources.
For example, countries like Norway, Iceland, and Costa Rica have a high share of renewable energy in their electricity mix, and by utilizing these and other renewable energy sources, e-bikes can enable us to reduce the carbon footprint significantly.
There you have it: You’ve learned all about the environmental benefits of electric bikes.
From reducing carbon emissions and air pollution to promoting sustainable urban mobility, electric bikes are revolutionizing the health of our planet.
What’s more, they provide a range of benefits for the health and well-being of the users as well as they can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, noise pollution, and traffic congestion.
By buying or renting from reliable companies, such as Whizz, you will support a product that helps better our environment.
Not only that, but you’ll get a new, reliable method of transportation at an affordable price!
Let’s pedal towards a greener future together with our eco-friendly and sustainable e-bikes!
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Philadelphia, PA, 19106
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