Electric Bikes and Calorie Burn: The Surprising Truth

Electric bikes, often thought of as a 'cheat' or 'lazy' option when compared to traditional cycling, have been gaining popularity not just for their efficiency but also for their health benefits. Contrary to popular belief, riding an electric bike does burn calories, albeit at different rates depending on various factors.

The number of calories burned on an electric bike depends on the level of assistance you choose, the terrain, your riding style, and your body weight. Let’s break this down:

Level of Assistance: Most electric bikes come with varying levels of power assistance that you can adjust based on your needs. The more you rely on the motor, the fewer calories you'll burn. For instance, a ride on a flat surface with minimal assistance can burn between 300 to 400 calories an hour, while using maximum assistance might reduce this to around 150 to 250 calories an hour.

Terrain: If you're cruising uphill, even with electric assist, your body is working harder than it would on flat ground. This increases the potential calorie burn significantly.

Riding Style: Aggressive riding, such as standing on the pedals and propelling yourself forward, will increase the number of calories you burn, irrespective of the bike being electric.

Body Weight: Generally, the more a person weighs, the more calories they burn while exercising due to the increased energy required to move their body.

While it’s clear