Commuting to work every day is a 16-mile trek for most Americans. That's 32 miles that you drive to your nine-to-five job every day, five days a week — is that really so far to ride a bike? Deciding to swap out your gas-guzzling vehicle for an e-bike as your daily commuter makes a huge difference in more ways than one.
What Is An E-Bike?
Crafted very much like its more traditional ancestor, an e-bike is a bicycle that is equipped with a 500-watt battery-powered motor and a throttle. You can give your legs a workout by combining pedaling and using the motor (pedal assist), which will take you as far as 20 - 40 miles. Or, if you've got a steep hill to climb or are tired of pedaling, let the full electric mode take you as far as 20 miles. The motor is electric and can be recharged, moving you to speeds up to 20 miles per hour.
Why E-Bikes Are Awesome Commuters
Commuting on an electric bike does good in so many aspects of life. You save money, your carbon footprint is reduced and best of all, your body reaps all the benefits. If your work commute falls between 20 and 40 miles, why not decide to make the switch?
A Greener Option
Producing only a fraction of the emissions output released by your car, e bikes for commutes are kinder to Mother Earth. They're rechargeable, taking anywhere from three to six hours to charge (on average) and take no gasoline to get them running. If you are feeling especially perky you can even ride your bike without any battery assistance at all.
Your Mental and Bodily Health
Being stuck in traffic does nobody any favors: You're stressed out and worried about the other drivers around you, plus you're stuck in a closed-in vehicle recirculating the same stale air. This is all combined with the fact that you're sitting stagnant for hours on end, doing nothing physical and raising your own blood pressure.
Leave all of those stresses in the driveway when you start using bikes for work commute. Teach yourself a trail or less-used backroad to take to work and bypass the bumper-to-bumper traffic in total serenity. Surrounded by trees, open air and the bright blue sky above you, it's easy to see why you won't miss being held in freeway traffic. You're actively getting exercise and moving your legs, allowing blood to circulate easier and giving your heart and lungs a good workout as well.
Cheaper Than Filling Your Tank
Did you know that the average American spends almost $400 every month filling their gas tanks? Yikes! Choosing an e-bike over your car cuts your monthly gas bill into pieces, paying for itself in under half a year. Imagine what you could do with all that extra money you're saving...
Better For You
It's unrealistic to imagine that you're never going to use your car again when you opt for an e-bike, but commuting with one is just _better_for you in so many ways, plus it's kinder to the planet and reducing how much carbon you produce. Decide on the best electric bike for commuting that fits your style, personality and commute and make it happen. It might surprise you how much better you feel after only a short time.
