Climate change is a very important issue for Canadians, so it’s no wonder that many of us are putting more thought into sustainable living and how we can live in a more eco-friendly way.

One way to make less of an impact on the environment is by riding bicycles, but what if you want to go a little further? Do you need to use your car? Electric bicycles bridge this gap very nicely.

The best electric bikes offer more range than a traditional bicycle for most users and let you see more beautiful scenery without increasing the size of your carbon footprint as much as if you were using a car.

As experts in snowmobiles, boats, ATVs, and other kinds of vehicles, we’re here to take a closer look at how an electric bike can help you save energy and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Ready to learn more and see whether an electric bike is right for you? Then read on!

What Is An Electric Bike?

An electric bike is essentially an ordinary bicycle that also packs an electric motor’s punch. The electric motor draws power from a battery pack, which you can charge up at home, just as you charge your phone.

There are two main kinds of ebikes, these are hub motors and mid-drive electric bikes.

Hub Motors Explained

A hub motor is a motor that fits onto your front or rear wheel, where it provides direct assistance to your bike’s speed. Which wheel the hub motor is on also affects how it feels to ride the bike.

A hub motor on the rear wheel can handle more power than one on the front and doesn’t change the bike’s feel too much. Close your eyes, and you could be riding a standard pedal bike.

On the front, the hub motor makes the bike feel almost like an ATV. It feels like an all-wheel-drive vehicle, which you may or may not want, depending on your riding style.

Mid-Drive Systems Explained

A mid-drive system takes the bike’s existing chain and augments it with a motor. This means that the chain uses the bike’s existing gears, and it barely changes the feel of riding the bike at all.

How Do You Use the Electric Motor?

Depending on the bike, you might not need to engage the motor at all manually. There are three main types of ebike motor configurations: throttle assist, pedal-assist, and a combination.

Throttle Assist Electric Bicycles

You may assume that a throttle assists electric bike would have a throttle as you’d find on a motorbike. While that’s an exciting idea, the reality is a little less dramatic.

The throttle assist on an electric bike is a button mounted on the handlebars you press to engage the motor. Due to the slight difference in this kind of bike versus a pedal-assist bike, their legality varies from location to location. It is now up to individual provinces in Canada to define what ebikes are and are not legal on their roads.

Pedal Assist Electric Bicycles

By contrast, a pedal-assist electric bicycle doesn’t have any kind of button. When you pedal, the electric motor kicks in and assists you, putting more power through your wheels. You can set the amount of power you want the motor to give you through a control panel.

Combination Bikes

Combination electric bikes provide assistance while you pedal and also have a throttle. This way, if you want to relax and take a break from exercise, you can rest and engage the throttle.

Why Should You Buy An Electric Bike?

There are many different reasons that someone may wish to buy an electric bike. Let’s take a closer look at why an electric bike is a great purchase for someone who loves the great outdoors.

Increased Range

You may love cycle rides that are around 50 KM, but what if you want to go a little further? With a pedal bike, you need to increase the distance you pedal incrementally so that you don’t get stuck in the wilderness. However,  an ebike offers a massive range increase, as you now have an electric motor to back you up.

While you should still stick to a distance that you’re comfortable with, an electric bike takes a lot of the strain out of a bike ride.

Easier to Climb Mountains and Hills

Mountain biking is a fantastic pursuit, but it’s also an advanced discipline. Cycling up a mountain takes a lot of energy and technique, but an electric bike makes it much easier.

If you’re struggling to keep the pedals moving, you can pump up the power that the pedal-assist gives you or engage the throttle, and let the electric motor help you up the mountain.

More Environmentally-Friendly Commuting

An ebike is a fantastic option for commuting, as well as for exploring the great outdoors. If you need to get to an office on the other side of a city or in a different town, your options are limited.

You may be able to get public transport, but this is not always possible. If it isn’t, then a car is your only other option.

Compared to a gasoline-driven car, an ebike is not only much more green, but it’s also far better for you, as electric bikes still offer plenty of exercise to their riders.

A Fantastic Option for Those With Health Concerns

Biking is brilliant, but it isn’t for everyone. For instance, if you have asthma or joint problems, bicycling may not be an option for you. Electric bikes take some of the strain out of biking, making it far more accessible for such people.

Cheap to Run

Compared to other transport methods, an ebike is very cheap to run. The only costs you’ll incur are the bike’s initial cost and the cents that it costs to charge the bike between rides.

Do I Need to Buy a New Bike?

You may be wondering whether you need to buy a new bike to enjoy electric bicycles. The answer is no! While you can buy a brand new electric bike and enjoy a purposely-made electric bike, you can also use a conversion kit to add a motor to your existing bike.

However, you should also consider whether your original bike is of a high enough quality. What we mean is that electric bikes usually need better brakes (some ebikes even use hydraulic brakes) and a sturdier frame than pedal bikes, so your original bike may not be suitable for use with a conversion kit.

If it is, though, then buy one and enjoy!

Are There Different Types of Ebikes?

There is a wide range of different styles of electric bikes. If you are looking for a bike for commuting in a city, a foldable ebike may be your best bet, as they’re super easy to pack away.

If you want to ride cross country, you’ll need to look for an ebike with chunkier tires and a solid frame.

How Long Does It Take to Charge Up Your eBike?

Your electric bike’s charging time will depend on the size of its battery. For most bikes, with an average battery, you can expect to charge it fully within around four hours. However, if you want a bike that will take you further, you’ll need a bigger battery with a longer charge time.

Are eBikes Lightweight?

One big change from a standard bike is the weight of an ebike. The motor and battery pack add a lot of weight to the ebike, which means that the bike will be noticeably heavier than a pedal bike of the same type.

This means that if you live in an apartment building or usually keep your bike upstairs, you should consider where you are going to store your ebike, as lugging it up and down the stairs will be a lot more difficult than with a pedal bike.

eBikes Are Hard to Beat for Sustainable Living

For those who care about sustainable living, electric bicycles are a fantastic option. They make enjoying the great outdoors a breeze and are also fantastic for commuters.

Whether you want to upgrade your existing bike or buy a ready-made electric bike, we can help you! If you’re more into dirt bikes but still want to live a green lifestyle, why not consider an electric dirtbike?

For these and all other kinds of vehicles, check out our inventory today!