Source: Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

In the first prospective observational study on this topic, researchers aimed to examine the effects of starting to e-bike on total and conventional biking frequencies, walking for transport, self-rated health, functionality, and life space area.

The key observation found by researchers was a large increase in total biking frequency amongst those that started e-biking, while frequencies decreased in those who did e-bike at both time points, did not e-bike at both time points, and stopped e-biking. Conventional biking frequency decreased in all groups.

No effects were observed on walking for transport, self-rated health, and life space area. Functionality tended to decrease in all groups, except among those who stopped e-biking for whom no change in functionality was observed.

The conclusion reached is that e-bikes offer older adults the possibility to increase their biking levels and potentially extend their life on a bike.

Find the full research article via Science Direct, here.