Good for your health, the environment, and your riding pleasure: why we are launching e-gravel bikes

Exercise is healthy, so the relevance of e-bikes might seem obvious. Yet the health benefits go further than many people realize. Cycling strengthens your muscles (thanks to the riding position and the weight of an e-bike) and improves your cardiovascular system. Another advantage of an e-bike is that you don’t arrive at your destination completely sweaty, because on the toughest sections you can count on just the right amount of support. That way, you’re less susceptible to colds.

Commuting is also on the rise. It goes without saying that cycling is healthier than driving to work. When you cycle, your heart pumps more blood and your breathing becomes deeper. Studies have shown that the heart rate and breathing capacity of cyclists are significantly better than those of non-cyclists. There is even evidence that e-bikers—thanks to motor assistance—tend to cycle more often and further than cyclists without electrical support.

E-bikes are also a real asset to mental health. Instead of being stuck in stressful traffic, you’re out in nature among birdsong and deer. Thanks to the boost from the motor, you always feel as if you’re riding with a tailwind, and there’s far less frustration than on a traditional bike. These rides improve sleep, reduce stress, and stimulate the release of so-called “happiness hormones.” Choosing the e-bike also means choosing against the car, which reduces emissions and helps the environment.

Moreover, many governments and companies already endorse these benefits by offering allowances for commuting by bike. Instead of paying for fuel, you actually receive a little bonus for your daily ride. That makes e-bikes good for your wallet too. Carrying work clothes or a laptop often adds extra weight, which makes that motor assistance doubly welcome.

Beyond the mental benefits, studies also show that the physical effort is very real. Many prejudices about e-bikes persist—for example, the association with “lazy riders”—but that’s simply wrong. A study by the University of Agder found that e-bikers complete the same routes as conventional cyclists faster and at slightly lower intensity, but still spend 95% of their time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This means e-bikers still deliver a serious workout, strengthening their heart and lungs, and often ride longer or more frequently because the barrier to entry is lower.

On hilly routes in particular, electrical assistance plays a decisive role: you achieve higher speeds, the ride remains manageable, and you don’t arrive completely exhausted. And let’s not forget: even if the intensity is a little lower than on a regular bike, the alternative for many people is the car. In that light, every kilometer on an e-bike is a big win for your health and the environment.

If our e-gravel bikes help more people to exercise instead of remaining inactive, then our social mission is accomplished!