5 Reasons Why E-Bikes Are Great for Seniors

What people can ignore is that E-bikes are also perfect for seniors. Among these benefits, riding one helps older adults stay fit, improve cognitive function, and fight disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a great way to stay mentally and physically fit for seniors. When it comes to owning an e-bike as a senior citizen, there are plenty of benefits. Here are some details: 

1. Riding an Electric Bike Can Help Prevent Disease

As an exercise that is considered an aerobic sport (source), riding an e-bike helps to improve cardiovascular health (heart, lungs, and blood flow). Because of this, e-bike riding can actually help to prevent conditions like heart disease, type II diabetes, cancer, and more.

Since many older people have a difficult time finding an exercise that is gentle enough on their bodies and does not exacerbate existing conditions, many are often sedentary in their lifestyle (which can lead to even further health problems).

Due to the pedal assist provided by e-bikes, riders are able to maintain good balance by getting their exercise in (pedelec e-Bikes still require pedaling) without putting unnecessary strain on their bodies. An e-bike ride can improve lung capacity, blood pressure, metabolism, and many other things. Not only that, but many e-Bike riders have noted that this form of exercise has helped them to massively improve their overall fitness.

2. Stimulate the Mind and Improves Cognitive Function

As we age, our brain power diminishes, which can also negatively impact our sense of well-being. Research suggests two major ways to improve both: exercise and outdoor stimulation.

Every one of these brain boosters is delivered in healthy doses by bicycling. A new study published in PLOS One suggests e-bikes could provide an even greater brain boost for adults over 50 than traditional bikes.

To test whether outdoor cycling has psychological and cognitive benefits, U.K. scientists measured the mental health and cognitive function of 100 adults aged 50 to 83 who did not regularly ride bicycles. The participants were divided into three groups.

In one group, conventional bikes were required to be ridden three times a week for at least 30 minutes on each outing for eight weeks. Using e-bikes, the second group completed the same assignment. Over the two-month study period, none of the third group rode a bike. By the end of the study, both bike riding groups enjoyed significant improvements in executive function, which involves planning, organizing, and completing tasks.

Surprisingly, motor-assisted pedalers also performed a bit better in processing speed and experienced a greater sense of well-being than e-bike riders in the follow-up cognitive tests.

3. E-bikes are safe and effective

It is unfortunate that many elderly people are limited in terms of physical activity and transportation options. People often stop driving when they get older (due to declining vision and motor function), because it can be dangerous.

Those who cannot otherwise ride a bike can benefit from e-bike riding as a safe, effective fitness option. E-bike riding has helped many riders who have been injured or afflicted with severe conditions or disabilities, such as chronic pain, joint replacements, back problems, pacemakers, diabetes, artificial limbs, and advanced age, to recover because of the ease with which it can be used and its ability to lower stress on the body.

Torque Sensor Pedal Assist

Pedal assist comes in two types. The first type is referred to as a "torque sensor pedal assist." This type of system measures how much power you are exerting to pedal the bike. Based on how you pedal, it automatically increases or decreases the level of assistance. The harder you push, the more power the motor will receive. When you pedal lighter, you provide less power to the motor. Our hovsco e-bikes are fitted with torque sensors that provide the most natural and consistent support for seniors.

Cadence Sensor Pedal Assist

In addition to the pedal assist, there is also the "cadence sensor pedal assist." This type of pedal assistance does not vary with the amount of effort you are putting in. The type of assistance you receive depends only on the level of assistance you have selected. The bike will help you move forward with the same effort whether you use a lot of force or very little.

4. Pedaling with Electric Power Assist 

When you struggle to climb a hill on your own, many e-bikes have pedal assist, which uses a cadence sensor built into the bike's drivetrain. Pedal assist gives you the feeling of riding a normal bike, but with a bit of help. You have to pedal the bike in order to activate the electric assist. On an ebike, there are typically multiple modes of pedal assistance. Although the lower modes give you some help, you still have to do the majority of the work. You can ride farther than usual if you choose the medium mode, which provides you with more assistance when pedaling. In high-level mode, you receive a lot of electric assistance, which makes for an easy ride. You can move very quickly with this type of level.

An electrical motor provides pedal assistance based on the amount of pedal rotation detected by the sensor.

5. Keep Socially Active

For seniors, social interaction is especially important. There are studies that indicate that maintaining social connections as an adult age is a key factor to living a longer life. A meaningful social life is directly related to one's mental health later in life. Electric bikes offer a great opportunity to create and strengthen social connections. Because they are an accessible mode of transportation and exercise activity, people of all ages and physical abilities can partake. This means electric bikes allow people to form large social groups and grow existing connections. This all leads to long-term benefits and a healthier and happier lifestyle. (Easter festival is coming. Want to get more ideas about e-bike gifts for your beloved ones? ) 

One of the most daunting downsides of aging is ultimately that of decreased freedom and mobility, and increased vulnerability in various ways. The fact that so many have commented on how riding an e-bike has opened up their worlds again and has offered so many physical and mental benefits, goes to show how ideal this form of exercise is for senior riders. Riding an e-bike helps to extend the life of physical activity for many elderly people, and can certainly be relied on as a safe and effective form of exercise.

Conclusion

Is it good for senior citizens to ride electric bikes? Yes, they are in many ways. Providing a very convenient and safe mode of transportation with little stress on your body, they are perfect for exercising and commuting.

A senior's electric bike should be equipped with the following features. There is no one size fits all product, because what works for someone else may not work for you.

Be sure to research everything from price to weight capacity to bike frame designs. Before you buy something that ultimately won't be worth it in the end as buying an electric bike online is tougher to return due to the size of the package.

Thanks for your riding and happy riding!