E-bike: advantages and disadvantages of an electric bike

The e-bike has established itself as the new cycling trend in Austria in recent years. Numerous well-known bike brands already offer great electric bikes. But does the trendy e-bike keep what it promises? We list the advantages and disadvantages of an e-bike.

Poor physical condition, returning to the sport after illness or injury, obesity, old age, or other physical limitations make cycling torture or even impossible. E-bikes, which have also triggered a boom in Salzburg in recent years, can help here. In Austria, an electric bicycle, e-bike, or pedelec is a bicycle with pedal assistance.

An electric motor placed on the front or rear wheel switches on automatically when you pedal. At a speed of 25 km/h, this motor switches off again. The power of the electric motor must not exceed 600 watts. But is an e-bike really worth it? And is it better to buy an e-bike or a normal bicycle? To help with the purchase decision,

Advantage: Suitable for all generations

The first and also one of the best advantages of an e-bike is that it is equally suitable for all generations. The e-bike has become a popular means of transport, especially among older people. But the e-bike is not only designed for older people but equally for amateur athletes, young people, and children.

Advantage: Steep climbs are no longer a problem

E-bikes not only ensure that people who are lazy about exercise or those who are not suited to cycling do something for their health. Above all, they are the perfect means of transport for short distances in the city. They are therefore the perfect alternative to the car because almost any destination can be reached with little effort. The e-bikes also contribute to environmental protection because they do not produce any harmful exhaust gases. That is why the e-bike is an important component of e-mobility.

Advantage: An alternative to the car

Disadvantage: the price

Unfortunately, the advantages of an e-bike are offset by some disadvantages. A serious disadvantage is a high price. With prices upwards of 2500 euros, e-bikes are not affordable for everyone and tend to be more expensive on average compared to a normal everyday bike.

Cons: The design

In addition to the price, the design of an e-bike is also a disadvantage. Many people not only pay attention to the technology but also to the appearance of a bike. In short, the engine interferes with the bike and thus destroys the shape. The drive kills the beauty of the bike because it usually has to be mounted clumsily and conspicuously. But the bike industry has already come up with a solution to this problem. This is: The motors simply disappear into the wheel frame. With this concept, they want to give the bike back its well-tried, beautiful original shape.

Disadvantage: The calorie consumption

However, many people do not pay attention to the design, but much more to the sporty aspect. Training with a tried and tested bicycle is more effective because there is no motor available. The difference in calorie consumption is also clear. While you burn about 400 calories in an hour on a normal bike, it’s only half that, 200 calories, on an e-bike.

Disadvantage: criticism of children’s e-bikes

As mentioned above, e-bikes are suitable for all generations and therefore also for children. But the e-bike for children is under heavy criticism. Because the bike with the motor can quickly overwhelm children and the sporty aspect is lost. But some manufacturers have taken on this topic and specialized in e-bikes for children. They rely on a small engine with little power. As a result, the weight is extremely low, which makes perfect sense for children when handling an e-bike.

E-bikes in Austria

Pedal-assisted bikes are becoming increasingly popular and are a complement to regular bikes. So it’s no wonder that e-bikes have experienced a real boom in recent years. In 2016 alone, around 86,500 e-bikes were sold in Austria. There are already more than 300,000 electric bicycles on Austrian roads and the number is constantly increasing.

E-bike regions in Salzburg

The tourism regions in Salzburg are also following this e-trend. They have a well-developed network of e-bike charging stations and bikes. Once around Lake Zell, an e-bike is no longer a problem. But if you prefer a mountain trip instead of a tour of the lake, you don’t have to do without the e-bike. But on the contrary. The Hochkönig region, for example, offers 27 e-mountain bike routes. On a total of 113 km, e-bikers can discover fantastic vantage points and huts around Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach. In addition to the Hochkönig, the tourist regions of Saalbach Hinterglemm, Lungau, Wildkogel-Arena, Tennengau, the Salzburg Lake District, and the Salzburg Saalachtal have also established themselves as e-bike regions. A large number of exciting e-bike routes await you here.