Many people wonder: Do you forget how to ride a bike properly if you spend too much time on an e-bike? Does the e-bike become a "comfort trap" – or is it rather a gateway to more exercise, mobility and sustainability?
MYVELO stands for both: the joy of the classic bicycle and the advantages of modern e-bikes. The crucial point is conscious use – understanding when and how the motor provides assistance and when it's better to pedal yourself.
The comfort trend: Technology takes work off our hands.
The e-bike is a symbol of societal change. More and more things are being motorized, automated, or digitized – with the aim of simplifying everyday life. The idea behind it: efficiency instead of effort.
This is particularly evident when cycling. Hills, headwinds, or long distances lose their terror. You reach your destination faster, more relaxed, and often farther.
This is not automatically a negative thing – quite the opposite. Because the e-bike creates opportunities where there were previously limits.
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Commuters save time and arrive at the office without sweat stains.
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Parents using cargo bikes can transport children and shopping without sore muscles.
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People with physical limitations can once again cycle regularly.
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And in mountainous regions , the motor assistance is what makes the bicycle suitable for everyday use.
Especially in these areas, e-bikes often replace cars – not traditional bicycles. This represents real progress in terms of the environment and physical activity. Learn more in our article "Environmental Impact Comparison: E-Bike vs. Car – Production Costs, Footprint and Energy Balance Under Scrutiny" .
What science says: E-bike study by the Hannover Medical School
How does e-bike riding actually affect physical activity? One of the largest studies on this topic comes from the Hannover Medical School in 2022. In this prospective study, 1,879 participants were observed – 1,250 e-bike riders and 629 conventional cyclists .
Participants wore activity trackers for four weeks. Measurements included heart rate, travel time, and distance. The aim was to determine how many people achieved the WHO-recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week .
The results speak for themselves:
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35% of traditional cyclists achieved the WHO target.
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Among e-bike riders, it was only 22%.
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The probability of completing the required exercise was around 44% lower for e-bike users (odds ratio = 0.56).
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Although e-bike riders covered longer distances overall, the intensity of exertion was significantly lower.
The study shows that, on average, the classic bicycle provides a higher level of physical exertion – and therefore a stronger training effect.
But that's only half the story. The study also shows that many people have only started cycling regularly again since owning an e-bike. For older people, those who are out of shape, or people with health problems, the e-bike is often the only realistic way to integrate exercise into their daily routine.
This means that while e-bikes reduce the exertion per ride, they often increase the overall riding time and range . Regular riders can therefore accumulate even more exercise on average per week than before – just at a lower intensity.
Conscious use is key.
Whether an e-bike promotes or hinders fitness depends heavily on how it is used . The motor is not a replacement for exercise, but rather a variable form of assistance.
Those who consistently use it at the highest level save energy – but also reduce the training effect. Those who consciously ride with a lower support level, however, train almost as if on a normal bicycle, only with a slightly lower peak exertion.
Practical tip:
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Eco or Tour mode instead of Turbo : In the lower levels, the pulse is higher, the muscles work harder – ideal for cardiovascular training.
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Targeting inclines: The motor can help, but you can deliberately choose less support to build up strength.
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Using commuting as training : Those who ride an e-bike to work get exercise without arriving sweaty – and therefore ride more often.
This transforms the e-bike from a "comfort vehicle" into an everyday training device .
More information can be found in the article “E-bike training effect: Getting fit with electric tailwind” .
The psychological aspect: Motivation trumps intensity
One often overlooked aspect is the psychological effect . Many people cycle more often because e-bikes lower barriers to entry. You think less about whether to cycle – you just do it.
This lower entry barrier is crucial. While a traditional bicycle requires training, an e-bike provides the motivation.
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You can ride even against a headwind.
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People are willing to travel longer distances.
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People use their bikes more often in everyday life than their cars.
This creates a positive cycle: more exercise, less car use, less stress. Even if the intensity is lower, the overall benefits for the heart, circulatory system, and the environment are noticeable.
E-bike and classic bicycle compared
| criterion |
E-bike |
Classic bicycle |
| Load intensity
|
Lower |
Higher |
| Training stimulus
|
Depending on the support level |
Consistently high |
| Accessible routes
|
Significantly longer |
Shorter |
| suitability for everyday use
|
Very high |
Limited on long distances or inclines |
| Sustainability (compared to cars)
|
High |
Very high |
| Impact on fitness
|
Positive if actively driven |
Highly positive |
| Motivation & Frequency of Use
|
Often higher |
Depending on fitness and motivation |
Conclusion from the table: Both types of bicycles have clear strengths. The classic bicycle offers intensive training, while the e-bike promotes more exercise in everyday life. The crucial thing is that you ride at all – regularly and consciously.
Going back to a normal bicycle – is that even possible anymore?
Many people wonder: Once you've gotten used to the electric motor – will you ever be able to manage without it again?
The answer is clear: Yes. The body doesn't forget how to ride a bike. What changes is the expectation of comfort . After prolonged e-bike use, inclines and headwinds initially feel unfamiliar – but after just a few rides, the body adapts again.
Regular e-bike riding maintains basic endurance and flexibility. Those who also occasionally use a traditional bicycle experience no loss of fitness – on the contrary: the switch is easier than you might think.
Health, environment and everyday life in harmony
E-bikes bring movement into everyday life – even for people who are otherwise not very physically active. Every kilometer cycled often replaces a car trip and significantly reduces CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, practical experience shows:
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E-bike riders are on the road for longer periods and more frequently on average than regular cyclists.
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The average daily amount of exercise (in minutes) can be similarly high – only the intensity is lower.
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The risk of overuse injuries, knee problems, or cardiovascular strain decreases.
For many, the e-bike is therefore not a "fitness killer" but a long-term health booster – provided it is used regularly.
The e-bike doesn't spoil anything – it just changes how you ride.
The e-bike is not the enemy of the classic bicycle, but its modern ally. It opens up new possibilities for combining mobility, health, and environmental awareness .
Of course, the classic bicycle is the more intensive form of training. But the e-bike ensures that people ride more often, cover longer distances, and still remain active. Those who consciously decide when to use which mode benefit twice: from the comfort of the technology and from the exercise that continues.
👉 In short: The e-bike doesn't spoil cycling – it makes it more accessible, sustainable and suitable for everyday use .
