Types of eBike.

   There is an ongoing debate as to which classification electronic bike is classified – a bicycle or a motorcycle. Due to this, organizing electronic bikes is complicated. Some types are classified under motorcycles, while others under bicycles. Classification of electronic bikes differs from country to country. 

   Despite these facts, electronic bikes are classified based on the power and the control system the bike delivers:

• Pedal-assist
• Power on demand

   With pedal assist, the bicycle’s motor is controlled through pedaling. These bikes are known as pedelecs. These pedelecs have inbuilt sensors to detect the speed and the force of pedaling. Using these data assists the efforts of the rider.

   With power on demand, the motor is operated using the throttle… A throttle is usually used in motorcycles and scooters to activate and control the motor’s power. 

   Using the above classification, electronic bikes are classed as follows:

1. Electronic bikes with pedal-assist only
2. Electronic bikes with pedal assist and power on demand
3. Electronic bikes with power on demand only

 

• Electronic bikes with pedal-assist only

   Mostly electronic bikes with pedal assistance are known as pedelecs. But there are two types of electronic bikes: Pedelecs and S-pedelecs. 

 

Pedelecs 

   Pedal-assist electronic bikes stimulate only when the rider starts pedaling. It helps the rider when he is struggling: like when riding up a hill or struggling against a headwind. These types of electronic bikes are helpful for people living in mountainous regions. It is beneficial to people with leg injuries and heart problems.

   Pedelecs are classified under bicycles and not under motorcycles or mopeds. These electronic bikes have low-powered electric motors, and the maximum speed is relatively low.

   The pedal assistance stops when it has reached the full distance or maximum production of power.

 

S-Pedelecs 

    These pedelecs have a motor more powerful than the pedelecs, and pedal assistance is unlimited. It does not have a limit on where pedal assists work. Therefore, these types of pedelecs fall under the motorcycles and mopeds. You have to register the bike and wear a helmet when riding them in some countries. 

 

• Electronic bikes with pedal assist and power on demand 

   Manufacturers nowadays are including both the pedal-assist and power-on-demand in electronic bikes to increase the distance per charge.

   Using the electric bike conversion, you could turn your non-electric bikes into electric bikes.

 

• Electronic bikes with power-on-demand only.

   Using throttle, usually on the handgrip, you can control the motorbikes and mopeds. Electronic bikes use the same technology to power on-demand electronic bikes to manage their electronic motor. Usually, these electronic bikes have more powerful engines than the pedelecs.

   The rider of these classes of electronic bikes can use only the pedaling or the electric motor by controlling the throttle. Or the rider can use both the pedaling and the electric motor.

   Power-on-demand electronic bikes come with pedals or are pedal-free; to this factor, they can hardly be categorized as bicycles. Therefore it is classed under motorbikes and mopeds.

 

Benefits of pedaling 

   To lead a healthy lifestyle, one should be physically and mentally healthy. Regular physical exercise would make one physically fit and mentally healthy. It protects one from serious illnesses like cancer, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It also acts as a stress buster.

   Cycling is one of the cardio exercises that involve the whole body. One could attain the desired health result by cycling two to four hours a week. 

    When we say cycling, we know it is about pedaling your way through the road. There are many physical and mental health benefits that one benefits from pedaling. A few of them are as follows:

• It helps to decrease the stress level
• Improves joints flexibility 
• Strong bones 
• Increases stamina
• Decreases body fat
• Reduces anxiety and depression 
• Improve coordination 

   Everyone can enjoy a ride, from small children to older people. It is not complicated or complex. It’s quite easy, and once you learn to ride a bicycle, you don’t forget it ever. With a low impact and low cost, you can enjoy your weekends on long rides with your peers.

   Pedaling is a good exercise for the whole body. The muscles in your arms, thighs, and calves tighten and strengthen when you pedal. It improves the joints’ mobility and lets you have strong bones.

   Pedaling not only physically strengthens you but also makes you make mentally fit. The rush of air on your face and a racing heart helps you calm your nerves. Relieving your anxiety and depression helps you with a healthy heart. Like many cardio exercises, cycling protects you from serious mental illnesses and acts as a stress buster.

   New inventions encourage people to pedal in the convenience of their homes. Older people feared riding outside would cause injuries, and badly they could t from this invention—this invention mentioned courageous even the people inside to lead healthier lives. 

 

Origin of pedaling

   The bicycle was first introduced to replace domesticated animals like horses, oxen, and donkeys, to travel far. The first model had two wheels and a handlebar to direct the wheel. The rider had to kick the ground now, and the bicycle was moving. Though it was the show’s star initially, it soon lost its spotlight as it had many drawbacks.

   Decades later, French inventors: Pierre Lallement, Pierre Michaux, and Ernest Michaux developed prototypes with pedals attached. Initially, the pedals were designed to attach to the front wheel. Though the rider was free from kicking the street to keep moving, still the ride was rough. Still, the insertion of pedaling into the bicycle made the bicycle’s invention successful. 

   Developing brakes and tires gave riders more control of the bicycle.

   Electronic bikes got patents in the 19th century. But the demand for electronic bikes increased in the later part of the 20th century. Over the two decades, demand for electronic bikes has improved vastly. 

   Electronic bikes with less effort on pedaling are introduced. This ensures people with special medical conditions enjoy a nice ride. With less or no effort on their knees and legs, they can experience the bicycle ride. 

   As there are many health benefits from cycling, cardio machines with pedaling have been introduced. They have different levels of pressure exertion, that one could adjust accordingly to suit their preferences.

 

Features in electronic bikes 

   Electronic bikes are fashioned similarly to traditional bikes, adding more features to the convenience of the rider. Some features that electronic bikes possess in excess are as follows:

• Efficient motor 

 

Electronic bikes vary from traditional bikes because of their motor. Thus providing an efficient and smooth ride. You can climb the hills with your bike effortlessly, thanks to the motor.

 

• Charging 

You don’t need any fuel or charge to ride a traditional bike, and it depends on the pressure exerted on the pedal. But electronic bikes need charging to power up the motor.

 

• Foldable 

Most electronic bikes can be foldable. This feature allows one to carry at his own convenience. You can avoid the parking problem, and it would simply fit in the trunk of your car.

 

• Connects smartphone 

One of the new features added to the electronic bikes is connecting your smartphone. By connecting your smartphone to your bike, you can use GPS, maps, and health trackers.

 

• Wider tires

Wider tires give better traction than electronic bikes, and the rider can ride longer distances with greater speed. 

 

• Integrated light

Some electronic bikes have an integrated lighting system included in them. This would turn on when you start the bike. Even if it is not included, you could attach your own bike lights that are available on the market.

 

• Locking batteries

With the rise in demand for electronic bikes, the demand for electronic bike batteries has increased. Manufacturers are adding new features as a solution to the existing problem. With the introduction of a locking system, bike batteries are safe.

You could lock your battery in and remove it to charge. After removing your battery, the weight of the bike decreases. You can remove it when you want to carry your bike through the steps.

 

Does pedaling charge the electronic bikes? 

   Pedaling the traditional bike or the electronic bike, propels it to move forward. Thus it does not automatically charge your electronic bikes. But there are bikes that let you use the pedaling energy to charge up your electronic bikes. 

   Technology with regenerative braking lets you charge your electronic bike’s battery through braking. A sensor in brakes triggers the motor to use the energy exerted while pedaling to recharge its own battery. It is more common in electric cars than in bikes.

   Though it is possible to charge your electronic bike’s battery while pedaling, the income is lower. Example: you need to ride 10km to charge 1km worth of charge. 

 

Are electronic bikes eco-friendly?

   From the dawn of time till now, humans have moved from place to place. With time developing, they started taming animals like oxen, horses, and donkeys to take them places. With time, vehicles started emerging; thus, traveling became easier and more convenient. Now we can travel places with ease and comfort and in a shorter period of time. 

   With this, the environment started to get polluted, increasing the need for more infrastructure. Roads are built, clearing the trees. Fuels were needed to generate motor vehicles, and taking them in abundance reduces the natural resources. These motor vehicles emit smokes that are poisonous and taint the atmosphere. 

   Manufacturers of automobiles are trying new inventions and developing them to solve these environmental problems. Hybrid cars, electronic cars, and bikes are developing, thus reducing the use of petrol and diesel. And also to avoid the smokes that emit when driving. 

   Electronic vehicles use electricity to charge up, hence decreasing the use of petrol and diesel. Electronic bikes come under electronic vehicles that help the environment to clean up.

   By using electronic bikes for short trips and your daily needs, you can help the environment to clean up.

   In many developed countries, riding an electronic bike has increased due to its comfortability and style. People use it to ride to work, supermarkets, and outings. With time, demand for electronic bikes would hike up as many countries are trying to go green. Thus completely cleaning the motor vehicles that use up fuels and emit smoke.

 

Future of electronic bikes 

   As it is more convenient and environmentally friendly, demand for electronic bikes increases. And in near future, the demand will soar. Manufacturers, with the assistance of scientists and engineers, are developing new inventions to make it a more convenient way of transport. 

   Electronic bikes were reintroduced to the market, including many novel ideas. And many are coming in the future. A few developments that we could see in the near future are as follows:

• Lightweight batteries 

The production of lightweight batteries would reduce the overall weight of the bike. And also, it would help the rider to carry one when going out on long trips.

• Long lasting batteries 

Charge in the electronic bikes decreases soon. Long-lasting batteries would encourage people to go on longer trips and trekking. 

• Lightweight materials in production 

Electronic bikes are heavier when compared to traditional bikes, and it is exhausting for the person carrying them. It is due to the battery and the motor inside the bicycle. 

Manufacturers are using materials such as aluminum and carbon to reduce the bike’s weight.

 

• Integration of battery inside the bike

Rain,  dust, and dirt are damaging the battery. This new invention solves the problem. And also, this would make the bike’s appearance more attractive and graceful.