Turning & burning

Sure, hard-core riders may snicker at the mere thought of riding an e-bike, but here’s something to churn around in you wheelhouse. According to a recent study the University of Colorado Boulder, riding electrically powered bikes can actually be a workout, especially for previously sedentary riders.

That’s right electric assist bicycles (aka “pedelecs”), while getting you disqualified from the Tour de France, can offer some baseline fitness.

While just catching on in the United States, pedelecs have steadily grown in popularity over the past decade in Europe and Asia. But do they offer any advantage other than allowing riders to arrive at their destinations quicker, more cheaply and a lot less sweaty?

CU researchers set about to find out, recruiting 20 non-exercising volunteers who were car commuters (a challenge in itself in fitness-obsessed Boulder). The volunteers – who were first tested for baseline health and glucose levels – were asked to substitute their sedentary commute for riding their pedelec for a minimum of 40 minutes three times a week. They were also asked to wear a heart monitor and GPS.

After a month, the volunteers checked back in with researchers and were found to have improved cardiovascular health, including increased aerobic capacity and improved blood sugar levels. The study’s lead author, James Peterman, a graduate researcher in CU’s Department of Integrative Physiology, said the findings could do away with the old “I’m too busy to exercise” excuse.

“Commuting with a pedelec can help individuals incorporate physical activity into their day without requiring them to set aside time specifically for exercise,” Peterman said in a press release.

Pedelec bikes provide motorized assistance up to speeds of 20 mph. Above that, riders must provide all the pedaling power themselves. Based on GPS data, the riders involved in the study rode at an average speed of 12.5 mph and reported no crashes or accidents.

The City of Boulder provided partial funding for the study. The city is using the date to assist in its decision on whether or not to allow pedelecs on bike paths.

Additional funding was provided by the National Institutes of Health and Boulder-based Pete’s Electric Bikes, Republic Cycles and Skratch Labs.