Electrical Assistance vs. Pedal Power | Teen Ink

Electrical Assistance vs. Pedal Power

April 26, 2024
By Jonkawonka SILVER, Tirana, Other
Jonkawonka SILVER, Tirana, Other
9 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Ever find yourself envious of a man who seems to be gliding effortlessly and pedaling so easily it looks like magic, after riding a bicycle so much you can't even walk? Well, that man is riding an E-bike, or Electric bike, and even though it may not seem like it, E-bikes have their cons as well. Bicycles are one of the most convenient forms of travel. They have long been a well-liked mode of entertainment and transportation. Additionally, bicycles provide healthful and environmentally sustainable substitutes for driving a car. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, have become increasingly liked as a modern replacement for traditional bicycles in recent years. The purpose of this essay is to compare electric bikes with traditional bicycles by analyzing the variations between them in terms of cost, performance and safety. 
Electric bikes cost way more than traditional bicycles. This is not only because of the obvious fact that E-bikes have a motor and battery, but E-bikes also require more high-quality parts and components in general. In the United States, the average cost of an electric bike is $2,158, with most models falling in the $1,698 to $2,618 range. That being said, the pricing ranges from $800 to more than $15,000. In contrast, a good quality beginner road bike’s cost can range from $800-$3000. Apart from the initial cost itself, E-bikes also require maintenance. This includes changing the battery, which is usually done every 4 years, charging the battery, mechanical maintenance, and optional insurance. These average about $450 annually. Therefore, a traditional bike is the cheaper option between these two. 
In theory, both have comparable top speeds because an e-bike is intended to help with your riding rather than take over entirely. This indicates that an e-bike's average speed should be about the same as, or slightly higher than, the 18-mph average of a less experienced rider. However, there are other factors that affect performance than speed. Additionally, distance matters. An E-bike would lose about 15 wh/mi if it was pedaled at a medium effort and speed of about 18 mph while using a 480 wh battery, meaning the battery would hold for about 32 miles. An average adult with no cycling experience can cycle for up to 65 miles before they get too exhausted to continue. This means that the battery can only for about half your trip before it runs out. Although, unless a person wants a bike for heavy exercise, an E-bike is a less exhausting and therefore a smarter choice. 
The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that e-bikes do seem to be more harmful. The following data comes from the study's findings: 1. Internal injuries are more common in e-bike riders. 2. Injury accidents involving e-bikes are three times more likely to include collisions with pedestrians. 3. Concussions are more common among e-bike users. Sadly, victims of e-bike accidents run a 17% chance of suffering internal injuries. Conversely, victims of pedal-bike accidents have a 7.5% chance of suffering the same kind of harm. Additionally, e-bikes are more prone to accidents since they rely on many technical components. If one of these components fails, it could lead to the rider getting injured. Therefore, if you want to make a safer choice, the traditional bike is the choice. 
In conclusion, traditional bikes are less expensive to maintain and safer, but e-bikes are more expensive but need less effort to ride. If one wishes to go shorter distances with less physical strain and doesn't care about expense or maintenance needed, e-bikes are a preferable option. This can be an option for someone who only wants to get to work and back without sweating. Because they are safer overall and depend only on the rider's strength and endurance, traditional bikes are better suited for sporting uses. For experienced riders who like making use of their bike for both transportation and exercise, this style is more appropriate. 


The author's comments:

This is an essay I wrote 2 years ago, and I recently decided to improve it.


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