Are e-bikes good for health and the climate?

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1. 1

   Potential Benefits of E-Bikes for Physical Activity: A Systematic Review.

   Journal of physical activity & health (Xu et al.)Published Jul 21, 2026Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Observational, experimental, and quasi-experimental studies examining e-bikes in relation to physiological responses, exercise intensity, or total physical activity were included. Owing to substantial heterogeneity across study designs, populations, comparators, and outcome measures, findings were synthesized narratively.ResultsThirty-one studies involving 11,890 participants were included. Compared with conventional bicycles, e-bikes generally elicited lower acute physiological demands, but they commonly still reached at least moderate intensity. Compared with no-exercise conditions, e-bike use was generally associated with higher total daily physical activity and lower sedentary time. Evidence also suggested that e-bikes may reduce barriers to cycling and support participation among less active or physically limited populations.ConclusionsAlthough e-biking usually imposes a lower physiological load than conventional cycling, it appears to have meaningful potential for promoting physical activity in daily life. More rigorous long-term studies are needed to clarify its contribution to physical activity and health.”

2. 2

   Health benefits of electrically-assisted cycling: a systematic review

   International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (Bourne et al.)Published Nov 21, 2018Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Seventeen studies (11 acute experiments, 6 longitudinal interventions) were identified involving a total of 300 participants. There was moderate evidence that e-cycling provided physical activity of at least moderate intensity, which was lower than the intensity elicited during conventional cycling, but higher than that during walking. There was also moderate evidence that e-cycling can improve cardiorespiratory fitness in physically inactive individuals. Evidence of the impact of e-cycling on metabolic and psychological health outcomes was inconclusive. Longitudinal evidence was compromised by weak study design and quality. E-cycling can contribute to meeting physical activity recommendations and increasing physical fitness. As such, e-bikes offer a potential alternative to conventional cycling. Future research should examine the long-term health impacts of e-cycling using rigorous research designs.”

3. 3

   E-bikes and travel behaviour change: systematic review of experimental studies with meta-analyses

   Transport Reviews (Chevance et al.)Published Mar 19, 2025Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Ten studies, all conducted in Northern Europe, were included. Results from the narrative synthesis and meta-analysis show that: (i) when participants have access to an e-bike, either through a free loan programme or a purchase, they engage in e-cycling; the meta-analysis reveals a significant difference of 5 km travelled daily after the interventions between participants that got access to an e-bike compared to those from control groups with no e-bikes, reflecting a substantial increase of 26% in e-bike mode share; (ii) e-bikes can substitute for all other modes of transport, but car use appears to be the most affected in both the systematic review and meta-analyses difference (2.4 km fewer travelled per day by car between the intervention and control groups at follow-up, reflecting to a 10% decrease in car mode share); (iii) baseline travel behaviours may influence modal shift, with e-bikes substituting for the most prevalent means of transport in baseline. E-bikes have the potential to be a reliable and competitive alternative to cars in a healthier and more sustainable transport system and our study brings new empirical evidence to support this claim.”

4. 4

   Electric bicycles sharing: opportunities and environmental impacts

   Environmental Research Infrastructure and Sustainability (Kontar et al.)Published Jun 28, 2022Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “In this work, we investigate the ability of an E-bike sharing program to compete with different modes of transportation and the resulting use-phase environmental impacts. A survey study on users of an E-bike program in Madison, Wisconsin was conducted to reveal modal shifts before and after access to the program’s membership. An environmental investigation based on well-to-wheel life cycle analysis, coupled with mode choice modeling reveals the users of this technology, the underlying modal shifts triggered by its usage, and the cascading environmental implications. The analysis reveals E-bike’s ability in attracting users, which translates into beneficial environmental impacts across five studied categories: energy consumption, greenhouse gas emission, particulate matter, sulfate and nitrate emissions. We further explore the implications of trip distance on the ability of E-bikes to compete with other modes of transportation, and the resultant environmental impacts. Finally, the electricity generation scheme is analyzed to showcase the dependency between environmental benefits of E-bike and the energy infrastructure it is operating under.”

5. 5

   Systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluating the effects electric bikes have on physiological parameters

   Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (McVicar et al.)Published Mar 11, 2022Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria ( N = 239). E‐cycling with electrical assistance resulted in a lower energy expenditure (EE) [SMD = −0.46 (−0.98, 0.06), p = 0.08], heart rate (HR) [MD = −11.41 (−17.15, −5.68), p < 0.000, beats per minute], oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) [SMD = −0.57 (−0.96, −0.17), p = 0.005], power output (PO) [MD = −31.19 (−47.19 to −15.18), p = 0.000, Watts], and metabolic equivalent (MET) response [MD = −0.83 (−1.52, −0.14), p = 0.02, METs], compared with conventional cycling. E‐cycling with moderate electrical assistance resulted in a greater HR response [MD 10.38 (−1.48, 22.23) p = 0.09, beats per minute], and VO 2 response [SMD 0.34 (−0.14, 0.82) p = 0.16] compared with walking. E‐cycling was associated with increased physiological responses that can confer health benefits.”

6. 6

   Incorporating active commuting into daily life: a narrative review of e-bikes' impact on health and urban air quality.

   Frontiers in sports and active living (Sampieri & Paoli)Published Nov 10, 2025Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “This review examined the impact of AC and e-bikes on physical activity, health, air quality, urban mobility, and technological innovations. Findings reveal that AC and e-bikes represent a viable alternative to integrate low- to moderate-intensity physical activity into daily routines, while mitigating the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. Evidence also showed that e-bikes contribute to reduced CO₂ emissions and improved urban mobility. However, adoption rates across Europe remain relatively low and heterogeneous, making it crucial to understand the individual, and social factors influencing their use. Beyond their physical and environmental benefits, e-bikes are increasingly embedded within intelligent transport systems, featuring IoT connectivity, real-time monitoring, and user-centered design that enhance safety, and user engagement. This review highlights the role of e-bikes as a bridge between public health, urban planning, and digital innovation, providing actionable insights for policymakers committed to promoting active lifestyles and building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.”

7. 7

   The potential of bicycle commuting to reduce carbon emissions in Finland.

   PloS one (Suomalainen & Tainio)Published Nov 13, 2025Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “There is an increasing amount of evidence that cycling is an effective way to decarbonise everyday mobility. The potential of cycling is however less well understood in cold climates, where seasonal weather conditions are seen as a major obstacle. This work explores the potential of cycling to substitute for car use on commute trips in Finland. A binary logistic regression model is first built based on national travel survey data to describe cycling behaviour on home-work trips according to trip distance, hilliness, temperature, snow cover, gender of the cyclist, car availability, and city region. This model is then used to quantify cycling uptake scenarios and estimate cycled mileage, replaced car travel, and climate emission reductions. E-bike scenarios are also explored. The results indicate that it would be possible to set ambitious targets for cycling uptake, even doubling the mileage cycled, leading to non-negligible emission reductions.”

8. 8

   Commuting by bicycle (vs. by car) is associated with improved aerobic power, microvascular function and diminished CO2 output in the atmosphere.

   Experimental physiology (Ursella et al.)Published Aug 29, 2025Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “Bike Commuters (11 M, 15 F; age [median value (interquartile range)] 51.5 (38.3-56.8) years; body mass index [BMI] 22.8 (21.0-24.1) kg m-2) were compared with Car Commuters (12 M, 19 F; age 47.0 (36.0-56.5) years; BMI 23.5 (21.4-24.9) kg m-2). In a longitudinal arm of the study, 20 Car Commuters were re-evaluated after they switched for 24 weeks to bicycle commuting (Car→Bike Commuters). Measurements included peak aerobic power ( V̇O2peak${\dot V_{{{\mathrm{O}}_2}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$ ) and ventilatory thresholds on a cycle ergometer, blood flow increase in the common femoral artery during a passive leg movement (PLM) test, energy expenditure and V̇CO2${\dot V_{{\mathrm{C}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2}}}$ exhaled during commuting. Bike Commuters had higher V̇O2peak${\dot V_{{{\mathrm{O}}_2}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$ (33.7 (31.3-38.1) versus 25.3 (23.5-28.9) mL kg-1 min-1, P 2 output during bicycle commuting was ∼12 times less than that for a petrol car. In moderately active individuals, short-distance bicycle commuting at moderate intensity was associated, compared with car commuting, with positive effects on several physiological functions and environmental factors.”

9. 9

   Employer-provided bicycle benefit and changes in commuting and overall physical activity: A quasi-experiment among Finnish municipal employees.

   Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health (Makkonen et al.)Published Jul 3, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “in weekly commuting kilometers were analyzed with propensity score-adjusted Poisson generalized estimating equation models.ResultsIn the intention-to-treat analysis, commuting by bicycle increased in the intervention group [rate ratio (RR) for 2024 compared with 2022=1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.30] compared with controls (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.80-1.09; P for group × time interaction 0.02), corresponding to a 2.4 km weekly increase. Car commuting decreased (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.96 versus RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.94-1.07; P=0.02), corresponding to a 7.7 km/week reduction (≈236 km/year) and ≈26 kg reduction in CO2e per person annually. No changes were observed in winter commuting or overall physical activity. Effects were larger among participants with optimal health and work ability. Among adopters, summer cycling increased by 14.4 km/week (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.35-2.00). Non-adopters showed no changes.ConclusionsAvailability of bicycle benefit increased bicycle commuting in summer weather and reduced car commuting, but effects were concentrated among healthier employees and adopters, suggesting that complementary measures may be needed to achieve broader health and climate impacts.”

10. 10

    The self-selected intensity of physical activity during real-life e-bike commuting.

    Frontiers in sports and active living (Riiser et al.)Published Jan 13, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

    “Data were summarized and analyzed in 10, 30, and 60 s epochs, and adjusted for the duration of the commutes. Intensity of the commutes was compared between downhill, flat, or uphill segments using linear mixed models. The intensity of physical activity was defined as light ResultsOxygen consumption during e-bike commuting was mean (standard deviation) 20.8 (5.0) mL/kg/min [5.9 (1.4) METs]. Depending on epoch lengths, 44%-48% of the commutes were classified as vigorous physical activity. Across epoch lengths, the mean intensity of the commutes was classified as moderate (4.6-4.8 METs) during downhill, moderate (5.5-5.9 METs) during flat, and vigorous (7.0-7.5 METs) during uphill riding (p ConclusionsOur findings suggest that e-bike commuters self-selected moderate to vigorous intensities during real-life commutes, aligning with international physical activity guidelines for improving public health. Therefore, policies promoting a shift from car use to e-biking could have significant public health benefits.”

11. 11

    Electrically-assisted bikes: Potential impacts on travel behaviour

    Transportation Research Part A Policy and Practice (Cairns et al.)Published Jul 13, 2017Checked Oct 3, 2026

    “This paper reports on a review of the European literature about the impacts of having an electrically-assisted bike available to use, together with results from a trial in the UK city of Brighton, where 80 employees were loaned an electrically-assisted bike for a 6–8 week period. In the Brighton trial, three-quarters of those who were loaned an e-bike used them at least once a week. Across the sample as a whole, average usage was in the order of 15–20 miles per week, and was accompanied by an overall reduction in car mileage of 20%. At the end of the trial, 38% participants expected to cycle more in the future, and at least 70% said that they would like to have an e-bike available for use in the future, and would cycle more if this was the case. This is consistent with the results of the European literature which shows that when e-bikes are made available, they get used; that a proportion of e-bike trips typically substitutes for car use; and that many people who take part in trials become interested in future e-bike use, or cycling more generally.”