E-bikes Allow Seniors to Enjoy Cycling and Keep Fit

Do you remember the thrill of riding a bicycle as a child? Do you think those days are over, that riding a bike is too hard for you now at your more mature age? Well, think again. Electric-powered bikes are revolutionizing cycling for senior adults, allowing us to ride longer, faster and with little or no pain.

Electric bikes, more commonly referred to as e-bikes, are one of the best things to happen in a long time for us older adults. I have owned an e-bike for more than a year and am cycling more than at any time since childhood — and loving it. It has without a doubt made me feel healthier and more alive. Those who ride an e-bike for the first time often describe the experience as exhilerating, liberating, thrilling. They nearly always come back with a smile on their face.

Laura DeSantis, left, is an avid cyclist and owner of the Pedego Electric Bikes store in Oviedo, Florida.

For some first-time e-bike riders, like Laura DeSantis, e-bikes are life-changing.

“I went out on the trail and got probably about a half mile into it, stopped the bike, got off and said ‘Oh my goodness.’ I felt good, I felt liberated. It brought back my enthusiasm. It was the best experience I ever had,” said DeSantis, describing her first experience riding an e-bike.

Recently retired, DeSantis enjoyed the experience so much that she opened her own e-bike store in Oviedo, Florida, for Pedego Electric Bikes, the nation’s largest seller of e-bikes. In fact, the majority of the company’s more than 100 stores are owned by senior adults like Laura, some even in their 70s. While people of all ages buy e-bikes, seniors are the largest target market.

What is an e-bike?

E-bikes look like regular bicycles and come in a variety of sizes and styles. They include an electric motor and a large battery that give the bike its power. Riders can choose to pedal manually, without power, or use what is called pedal assist, where the bike’s motor “assists” the rider while pedaling. This gives you the extra help you need to make it up hills without straining or to travel at a faster pace. Most models in the U.S. also include a throttle that you can use without pedaling. This is good for helping you take off from a stop or to give yourself a short rest from pedaling on longer rides. Some lower-end models have only a throttle, but in my opinion you will be happier buying a bike with pedal assist.

A growing worldwide market

Electric bikes are a growing worldwide market. By 2023, annual sales are forecast to reach 40 million, according to Statistica.com. More than three-fourths of those sales will be in China, with most of the rest in Europe. Even though e-bikes are the fastest-growing segment of the bicycle industry in the U.S., North American sales represent only a small fraction of worldwide sales.

E-bikes are booming in part because of their role as an eco-friendly, alternative means of transportation. In urban areas, especially in Europe but increasingly in the U.S. too, e-bikes are being used for commuting to work and running errands, not just for recreation and fitness.

Ford Super Cruiser E-Bike

Some observers believe e-bikes will gradually replace traditional bikes, at least for adult riders, much like electric typewriters replaced manual ones and powered lawnmowers replaced push models. In bike-friendly countries like The Netherlands, e-bike sales already now account for the majority of all adult bike sales.

Bike manufacturers aren’t the only ones exploring the future of e-bikes. Automakers including Ford and General Motors see the potential in e-bikes and have introduced their own models, including the Ford Super Cruiser sold through Pedego dealers.

Health benefits for senior adults

Photo courtesy of Pedego Electric Bikes.

Riding an e-bike can have considerable health benefits for senior adults, helping roll back the aging process. While riding an e-bike may not be as intense a workout as riding a regular bike, it is still exercise and users are much more likely to want to ride (and ride longer and more often) because the e-bike experience is less painful and more enjoyable. While regular bikes gather dust in the garage, e-bikes become a senior’s best friend and their ticket to fresh air and better health.

DeSantis said she had given up on riding bikes following two back surgeries and two shoulder surgeries, but her Pedego e-bike has changed her life.

“I have no more back pain and my shoulders don’t bother me,” Laura said. “My hips were starting to bother me, and they don’t bother me anymore. Only if I don’t ride do my hips bother me.”

She has also seen similar results from customers. A couple came into her store who both like to ride bikes, but after he developed emphezema, riding a regular bike became a struggle and he could no longer keep up with his wife. Buying an e-bike changed all of that.

“He came in and rode the e-bike and absolutely loved it. No issues whatsover,” Desantis said.

Riding an e-bike is one of the best forms of  low-impact exercise that is easy on joints.  Cycling is also an excellent aerobic exercise, improving cardiovascular health and pumping more blood to the brain. The coordination and stimulation of riding also contribute to improving mood and fighting depression. Regular cycling helps you get the fresh air and sunshine you need for both physical and mental well being, not to mention the social benefits.

One of the most interesting discoveries is the benefits of cycling in alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Researchers like Jay Alberts, a physician at the Cleveland Clinic, say the rapid pedaling motion in cycling is documented to improve motor functioning in Parkinson’s patients by 35 percent.

E-bikes are more than just for recreation

For seniors who live in bike-friendly communities, e-bikes can become a regular means of transportation and not just something used for recreation.

USA TODAY reported how Melissa Wenzel used an e-bike to help get active again following leukemia treatment and to lose weight. She had also suffered from arthritis and bad knees for many years. She liked her e-bike so much that she sold her car and now uses her e-bike for running errands around town.

I live in a 55+ community where nearly all residents use golf carts to go to the clubhouse, pool or lake. Since buying an e-bike, I am using it as my primary form of transportation within the community and only use the golf cart occasionally. Not only is it better exercise, but I get to enjoy the weather, wave to neighbors, and experience the neighborhood in a more personal way. If you are fortunate enough to live in a community that is connected to surrounding areas by bike trails, then an e-bike can become a primary means of running errands around town.

How to choose an e-bike

E-bikes are a more sophisticated machine than regular bikes, so I highly recommend that you make your purchase from a bike shop that regularly sells e-bikes to senior adults. This is especially true for first-time e-bike buyers. While you may be able to buy a less expensive e-bike online, I do not recommend it, especially for first-time buyers. A good bike store will ask questions about your situastion and how you plan to use the bike. They will ensure you buy the right bike that fits your needs. Buying from a bike store means having the chance to test ride e-bikes before buying one, which is very important. Bikes are somewhat like new shoes; no two pair fit exactly the same. Bike dealers also fully assemble the bikes, size them to you for proper fit, make sure you know how to use the bike’s features, and provide repair and warranty service.

Be sure to test ride a few bikes before buying. Get one that best fits your biking needs and has the right feel. Some bike stores, including Pedego dealers, also rent e-bikes in case you want to try one for a day or so before buying.

E-bikes also come in three-wheel versions. Photo thanks to Pedego Electric Bikes, Oviedo, Florida.

Prices vary widely for e-bikes, but the majority of well-built e-bikes bought through bike shops sell for $2,000 to $5,000. That may seem a hefty price for a bicycle if your experience with bikes is limited to buying bikes for children, but these bikes are heavier built and include a powerful motor, battery and electronic controls that other bikes do not have. Besides, a quality bike will provide years of enjoyable service with minimal annual maintenance costs. Once you take your first test drive and discover the life-changing possibilities of riding an e-bike, the price will seem well worth it.

E-bikes come in every known bike configuration, but the most popular styles for seniors are cruiser bikes, trikes and recumbents. Cruiser bikes feature an upright seating position, comfortable padded seats, and wide tires that make riding a pleaure. Trikes and recumbents are three-wheeled bikes that appeal to those who may have balance issues or never learned how to ride a regular bike. For a more detailed look at the different styles of bikes, see our related article, “How to Select a Senior-Friendly Bike.”

An e-bike with step-through design and cruiser styling. Photo thanks to Pedego Electric Bikes, Oviedo, Florida.

Tips for Riding an E-bike

If you can ride a regular bike, you can ride an e-bike. Mastering an e-bike, however, requires a few adjustments. For one, because it has power, e-bikes are more prone to quick, jerky take-offs that might unnerve first-time users. You will soon adapt and learn how to start smoothly, so don’t let the bike’s power spook you when you first try one out.

It’s always a good practice to wear a proper bike helmet when riding any bicycle, but it is definitely the case with e-bikes. You will be traveling at a higher average speed than on a regular bike, so make it a habit to always put your helmet on before mounting the bike. Here is the helmet I use, but there are many good ones on the market.

Using the throttle smartly takes some practice. Once you get the knack of it, which won’t take long, the throttle can be your best friend. When you are stopped at an intersetion waiting to cross and need to get across quickly, using the throttle is awesome. It is also useful for an extra boost going up a hill or just to give yourself an occasional rest from peddling.

Another good practice is to keep the power turned off until you mount the bike and are ready to ride. Remember, you can always ride an e-bike like a regular bike. It’s your choice when to use power or not. I personally like to start pedaling without power and not turn it on until I am out of my driveway and riding straight in the street. I also turn the power off at the end of the ride, before re-entering my driveway. When you are putting the bike away, trust me, you do not want to accidentally engage the throttle. Yes, I learned this lesson the hard way!

Most bikes advertise how far you can go on a battery charge, typically 40 to 50 miles, but in practice you can often go even further if you use the throttle and pedal assist sparingly. Roads are mostly flat where I live, so often I either do not need any power assist or just need the lower levels. If you ride like I do, you can go a long way on a single battery charge. On the other hand, if you use the e-bike like a scooter and only use the throttle, without pedaling, or if you ride in hilly areas, you won’t get as far per charge.

The e-bike’s battery is one of the most important (and expensive) parts, so it pays to take good care of it. Batteries are sensitive to heat, so don’t leave your bike’s battery in the garage all summer, especially if you live in a hot climate. Batteries are easy to remove and bring inside. It’s also best not to let your battery fully discharge. If you spend a season or more away from your bike and if it’s practical to do so, take the battery and its charger with you. None of these battery tips are mandatory, but they will help extend the life of your battery.

Bikes require only minimal maintenance, but don’t neglect them. Keeping a bike clean and lubricated is important. Check tire air pressure regularly too. Even if your e-bike is performing well, it never hurts to take it back to the bike shop every year or so (depending on how much you ride) for a tune-up. Your bike shop can give you more tips on how to clean, lubricate and maintain your e-bike.

If you want to take your bike to trails or on trips, you will need a bike rack for your vehicle. Since e-bikes are heavier than other bikes, you will need a trailer hitch for your vehicle and a rack designed for e-bikes. I would recommend buying the rack through your bike dealer and letting them show you how to install and use it, but if you are a do-it-yourself type and want to buy online, here is the rack I use and recommend:

Try a life-changing e-bike soon

E-bikes are one of those rare breakthrough, innovative products that appear from time to time and have a transformative impact on society. You are going to see a lot more of them around the neighborhood, around town and on trails in the years ahead. Once you ride one, you will understand the “wow” factor that new riders experience. Once you ride one, you too will come back with a big smile. Once you buy one and start using it regularly, an e-bike will change your life for the better, and maybe even roll back the aging process.

See related story: Florida’s Bike Trails Beckon Senior Riders

Do you ride an e-bike? Tell us about your experience. Please share your comment below. Thank you!