The Advantages of E-Bikes Over

Other Methods of Transportation

Translation Report

An e-bike in use:
“Beauty, Power, And Silence: The Vintage Electric Roadster Ebike Rolls You Around In High Style” Forbes. [Online]. Available:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/billroberson/2020/10/15/beauty-power-and-silence-the-vintage-electric-roadster-ebike-rolls-you-around-in-high-styl
e/?sh=285a82c7347b [Accessed: May 8, 2021}.

Prepared by: Jay F.

May 14, 2021
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Definition of an E-bike 2
Environmental Impact 3
Health Impact 4
Conclusion 5
Works Cited 6
Figures Cited 7

Table of Figures
Figure 1: Advantages of E-bike Use 1
Figure 2: Diagram of an E-bike 2
Figure 3: Carbon Emitted Over a Vehicle’s Lifetime (g/km) 3
Figure 4: Survey on Obstacles to Cycling [1] 4
Figure 5: E-bike Sales in the EU from 2006 to 2016 [2] 5
Introduction
A main goal of Mechanical Engineering is making tasks easier. These tasks can range from
production to transportation. One feat of mechanical engineering that revolutionized
transportation was the invention of the bicycle. Cycling has long been an industry with close ties
to mechanical engineering. The development of the bicycle led to the invention of technologies
such as the ball bearing, chain sprocket, and pneumatic tire. These technologies later led to the
development of the automobile.

Recently, electric bicycles, or e-bikes, with an integrated motor and battery have become more
common. In 2023, 40.3 million e-bikes are projected to be sold [1]. This report aims to
investigate the advantages of these e-bikes over other forms of transportation. Investigating these
advantages now will help future development. Furthermore, awareness of the advantages of
e-bike use will encourage the general public to use e-bikes instead of other methods of transport.

Global traffic and carbon emissions have been on the rise and are projected to keep increasing
[1]. In England, traffic is expected to grow by up to 51% by 2050. Furthermore, Automobiles
emit more than 200 grams of carbon per kilometer traveled compared to e-bikes [2]. Increased
use of e-bikes would replace use of automobiles, decreasing carbon emissions.

Engagement in active travel is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer
[3]. However, rates of active travel are low and on the decline [1]. E-bikes increase the frequency
and duration of active travel [4].

Figure 1: Advantages of E-bike Use

Data adapted from: [1][2][3][4]
Definition of an E-bike
An e-bike is a bicycle with a battery and motor that drives the bicycle [5]. For most e-bikes the
motor and battery are integrated into the bicycle. E-bike conversion kits also exist that can be
installed to turn an existing bike into an e-bike. E-bikes are both motor and pedal driven,
meaning they can be powered with varying combinations of the two. Broader definitions of an
e-bike include electric motorcycles and e-scooters. Electric motorcycles are completely motor
driven and have no pedals. E-scooters have pedals, but the pedals are not necessarily functional,
and are often used to pass regulation [5].

Figure 2: Diagram of an E-Bike, source:“Powerfly FS 9 Equipped” Trek Bikes. 2021. [Online] Available:
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/electric-mountain-bikes/powerfly-equipped/powerfly-fs-9-equipped/
/32991/ [Accessed: Apr. 23, 2021].
Data adapted from: [5][6]

The motor is one of two key components in e-bike design and function [6]. Motors are integrated
into the front sprocket or are placed on either of the wheel hubs. Hub-mounted motors drive the
wheel directly. Front-hub mounted motors are the easiest to install. However, due to the weight
distribution of most bicycle designs, front-hub motors lead to poor traction and cornering when
riding. Rear-hub mounted motors are the most popular for conversions. Rear-hub motors provide
better traction and cornering than front-hub motors. Rear-hub mounted motors can provide both
pedal assist or direct drive to the rider. Mid-drive motors are mounted on the front sprocket.
Mid-drive motors only allow for assisted pedaling, but can also provide better weight distribution
as well as more torque through gear ratios.

The e-bike battery is the other key component [6]. Batteries are located in the bike’s down tube
or on a rack attached to the back of the e-bike. Batteries dictate how far an e-bike can go without
charging, how fast the bike charges, and how efficient the bike is. In the past, most e-bikes used
lead-acid batteries [5]. In recent years, there has been a shift towards lithium ion (Li-ion)
batteries. Li-ion batteries are more durable, efficient, and environmentally-friendly than lead-acid
batteries.
Environmental Impact
Currently, automobile use makes up a major part of global pollution. In England alone, over 60
million metric tons of carbon dioxide are emitted every year [2]. Carbon emissions are expected
to increase worldwide without significant changes to travel behavior [1]. This expected increase
in carbon emissions is linked to the expected rise in automobile traffic.

E-bikes are one way to combat the climate crisis. E-bike ownership is associated with decreased
automobile usage [7]. Electric bicycles consume less energy than the average automobile.
Furthermore, e-bikes emit less carbon per kilometer than conventional, hybrid, and electric
automobiles, illustrated in Figure 3 [2]. In the UK, the majority of all car journeys are between 1
and 5 miles in length [1]. These short car journeys have more of an impact per mile than longer
car journeys. E-bikes are a practical alternative to cars for short trips. By replacing cars on the
road with e-bikes, less carbon is emitted for the same trip. E-bike use would also reduce
congestion. In congested traffic, automobiles produce even more pollution than those in
free-flowing traffic [1]. By reducing congestion, the remaining cars on the road would become
more carbon-efficient.

Figure 3: Carbon Emitted Over a Vehicle’s Lifetime (g/km)

Data adapted from: [2]
Health Impact
Active travel is not accessible or practical for many. Common obstacles to active travel use
include: time constraints, hilly terrain, and poor fitness [7]. Another concern of travelers is being
out of breath or sweaty when arriving at their destination [1]. Obstacles to cycling specifically
can be seen in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Survey on Obstacles to Cycling [1]

E-bikes make active travel more accessible by remedying these concerns. Compared to
traditional cycling, e-bike riding features a decrease in perceived physical effort by the rider as
well as a faster 3-mile time [8]. Electric bicycles are also faster on average than other active
travel methods such as walking and running. Growth in e-bike use, as seen in Figure 5, could
lead to government investment in walking and cycling infrastructure. This infrastructure includes
bike lanes, bike paths, and pedestrian-friendly intersections. Investing in this infrastructure
would further encourage active travel, not just e-cycling.
 Figure 5: E-bike Sales in the EU from 2006 to 2016 [2]

Advancements in e-bikes could also encourage other, more rigorous physical activities.
Mountain biking is an aerobic physical activity [9]. However, mountain biking is inaccessible to
many people due to its difficulty. With the development of the electric mountain bike, or eMTB,
mountain biking is now more accessible to the general population. Despite the pedal assistance
from the motor, electric mountain biking still provides the rider with a moderate to vigorous
physical activity [9].

Conclusion
Electric bicycles could be the future of transportation. They are more accessible than traditional
bicycles. They are more energy efficient than automobiles. They are faster than walking or
running. Investigating and investing in electric bicycles now will lead to an efficient, sustainable,
and healthy method of transportation later.
Works Cited
[1] J. E. Bourne, et al., “The impact of e-cycling on travel behaviour: A scoping review,” Journal
of Transport & Health, December 2020. [Online]. Available:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7456196/. [Accessed: April 21, 2021].

[2] J. Anable, “e-bike carbon savings – how much and where?,” CREDS, May 2020. [Online].
Available:
https://www.creds.ac.uk/publications/e-bike-carbon-savings-how-much-and-where/.
[Accessed: April 29, 2021].

[3] J. E. Bourne, et al., “Health benefits of electrically-assisted cycling: a systematic review,”

The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 21-Nov-2018.
[Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6249962/. [Accessed:
April 21, 2021].

[4] C. Höchsmann, et al., “Effect of E-Bike Versus Bike Commuting on Cardiorespiratory ... :
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine,” LWW, May 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/Abstract/2018/05000/Effect_of_E_Bike_Versus_Bike_
Commuting_on.2.aspx. [Accessed: May 12, 2021].

[5] E. Fishman and C. Cherry, “E-bikes in the Mainstream: Reviewing a Decade of Research,”
ResearchGate, July 2015. [Online]. Available:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280572410_E-bikes_in_the_Mainstream_Reviewin
g_a_Decade_of_Research. [Accessed: May 5, 2021].

[6] Montague Bikes, “Electric Bicycle Types Explained,” Montague Bikes, March 2018.
[Online]. Available:
https://www.montaguebikes.com/folding-bikes-blog/2018/03/electric-bicycle-types-explaine
d/. [Accessed: April 29, 2021].

[7] C. Moser, et al., “E-bike trials' potential to promote sustained changes in car owners mobility
habits,” Environmental Research Letters, April 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aaad73. [Accessed: April 23, 2021].

[8] H. M. Alessio, et al., “Cardiovascular, Metabolic, And Perceived Effort In A Simulated

Commute On A Regular And Electric Bicycle,” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise,
vol. 51, no. 6S, pp. 774–774, 2019.

[9] C. Hall, et al., “Pedal-Assist Mountain Bikes: A Pilot Study Comparison of the Exercise
Response, Perceptions, and Beliefs of Experienced Mountain Bikers,” JMIR Formative
Research, Aug-2019. [Online]. Available: https://formative.jmir.org/2019/3/e13643/.
[Accessed: May 14, 2021].
Figures Cited
[1] “National Electric Bike Owner Survey,” National Institute for Transportation and
Communities. [Online]. Available:
https://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/research/project/1041/National_Electric_Bike_Owner_Survey_.
[Accessed: May 30, 2021].

[2] Statista Research Department, “Electric bicycle sales EU 2006-2016,” Statista, 31-Jan-2020.
[Online]. Available:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/397765/electric-bicycle-sales-in-the-european-union-eu/.
[Accessed: May 30, 2021].