KBObike (United States) - Research in 2013 found that more than 150 million e-bikes have been purchased worldwide since 2003. Another study in 2018 found that that number has more than tripled as the popularity of electric bicycles, particularly in the United States and Europe, has steadily grown.

The electric bike design and technology have been improved upon over these years, ensuring that more riders with different needs benefit from riding an e-bike.

Whether it is to get fit, slowly regain your fitness after an accident, or as a replacement for commuting, an electric bicycle has allowed its riders to enjoy pleasurable and stress-free rides.

Notwithstanding these numerous benefits, there are several things everyone gets wrong when it comes to an electric bike, some common misconceptions about e-bikes. This article shall address such misconceptions.

E-Bikes are Complex to Use

Surely, there are several pieces in an electric bike when compared to traditional bikes. However, an electric bicycle is still a bicycle, and anyone who can ride a traditional bicycle will be able to ride an electric bicycle.

These newer designs and technologies were put in place to keep up with the demands that modern life presents, and it takes less than a few days of steady riding to get a perfect grasp of it. Charging the battery has become even more simple and convenient; it can be likened to charging your mobile device. If you can use a mobile device, you surely will be able to handle any of the operating systems used in an e-bike today. Its optional functionality and other capabilities, such as integrating heart rate monitor readings, are easy, complicated, and installed for your good. Essentially, if you can ride a traditional bike and own and operate a mobile phone, then grasping the workings of an electric bike shouldn't take more than three days. At most.

Electric Bikes are unsafe

Most people view e-bikes as unsafe; drivers, other cyclists, and pedestrians often consider electric bicycles dangerous and unwanted. The reason for this misconception can be easy to see, as electric bicycles are capable of going pretty fast if a rider wants it.

However, these common misconceptions about e-bikes have proven to be false as there is no data that states that an electric bike is dangerous. Several studies have been carried out to find out if riding an e-bike is unsafe, and they all came to the same conclusion that an electric bike is as safe as every other method of transportation. Healthwise, with the e-bike innovations, it is even safer than traditional bikes.

Riding an electric bike is cheating

This often comes from the ill-informed people who like using an e-bike as a form of exercise to drive a scooter or a moped. That's not right as electric bicycles are pedal assists, meaning that while the electric motor can boost your speed, you are still required to pedal. Which is still an exercise, and the same movement is required to move traditional bikes. You can set the level of assist you want your e-bikes to give you, so at times, you can be pedaling almost as hard as you would when riding a traditional bike.

In addition to this, research has shown that electric bikes give riders 90% of the workout a traditional bike gives. While this number is closer than previously assumed, and you might be tempted to say traditional bikes still give more workouts, another research has shown that an e-bike gives riders almost 50% more workouts over the course of a month than a traditional bike would. People riding an e-bike rode more frequently than people with standard bikes. The average is five times a week, while that of traditional bikes is just three times a week. People riding an electric bike also rode further than people with standard bikes. As a result, over a month, people with an electric bicycle received 50% more workouts than people who rode standard bikes as they accumulated more workout minutes.

Ebikes are Meant for Senior Citizens

One common misconception about e-bike is that they are meant to be used by old people simply due to the extra convenience and handling it gives. This, however, can not be more false. While it's true that e-bikes are easier to ride, this doesn't necessarily translate to it is meant for old people. Its reliability makes it a worthy option for daily commute, mountain rides, and if you are the type that goes bike touring, an e-bike will surely optimize your fun. A stylish and good-looking KBO step-thru electric bike for women is a plus for young ladies. 

The Batteries are Unreliable

While this might have been true for the electric bikes produced in the '90s, it is completely false compared to the e-bike batteries used these days. At full charge and with a full assist, the 400-500Wh battery will cover up to 50 miles before requiring a recharge, while a 3kW battery can go up to 350 - 400 miles. Electric bikes like KBO bike have a 768 Wh Samsung battery, which gives you up to 55 miles long range riding on a single charge. 

These miles can even be increased by proper battery management practices such as reducing the amount of assistance the motor provides, ensuring your tires are fully pumped, and oiling your chain.

Such range is enough for anyone commuting with their electric bike, and the battery level display ensures that you are never left stranded. It displays the percentage of battery left and the estimated range it can cover before going flat. Even if it does get low, the batteries can be easily recharged, or you could invest in a spare battery if you intend to ride more than 50 miles at a stretch.

If the battery does somehow go flat, pedaling an e-bike isn't more difficult or tasking than pedaling traditional bikes. You can pedal it to the next charging point, recharge, and be on your way.

Conclusion

The common misconceptions about e-bikes might be a lot but if there is one major thing you get from riding an electric bike, it's the fun. Yes! The unlimited fun comes with very little stress, so why not give an e-bike a try today?