Older riders – many well into their 80’s – have adopted e-bikes with a passion. Why is this? And, as a senior, what should you be looking for in an electric bike?
According to a recent survey, seniors are enjoying the following benefits from riding an e-bike:
- Increased physical fitness. The options for regular and meaningful exercise – exercise that we enjoy – get less and less as we age. E-bikes have proven immensely popular amongst older riders in part. It allows them to have fun while getting exercise at the same time;
- Improved mental wellbeing. In a recent survey of MeloYelo e-bike owners, our older customers rated this benefit highly. They feel better about themselves because they get off the couch, get outdoors, and exercise. They are forming new social connections – for example, most communities have social riding clubs for older e-bikers, and in the case of MeloYelo, we have a private Facebook community for our customers, where they post stories and photos about the places they ride, meet each other, share tips with each other, etc.
- Exploring parts of New Zealand, they would not have otherwise seen. NZ is blessed with some of the most stunning scenery in the world, and e-bikes are the perfect way for seniors to discover and experience it. With an ever-growing selection of trails, most of which are easy enough for seniors to enjoy, every ride is a new adventure and discovery. See this article to read about the trails older e-bike riders have selected as the best in New Zealand.
- Improved mobility. Many older e-bike riders suffer from ailments like knee pain or hip pain. In some of these cases, riders have noted a reduction in pain and an improvement in overall mobility since they have taken up riding an e-bike.
- Spending more quality time with family. With computers and smartphones being so prevalent and addictive for the younger generations, it is often difficult for us seniors to find activities we can do with our children and grandchildren that we are still capable of doing and that the younger ones enjoy. Cycling is one of those activities. And, with an e-bike, we oldies can now keep up with our kids and grandkids, making family outings fun for all.
- Losing weight. Some of the older riders who took part in our survey indicated that they had lost weight since taking up riding an e-bike.
OK, So I Understand the Benefits. But What Should I Be Looking for in an E-Bike?
A lot of this comes down to how fit you are and whether you intend to ride only – or mostly – on urban cycleways, backcountry trails, or a mix of these options.
Referring to our survey of older riders, most indicated they would be riding around town and on easier off-road trails.
Here are some key factors we believe seniors should consider when shopping for an e-bike:
- Step-through frame: Step-through frames eliminate the need to swing a leg over the saddle. This design ensures easy mounting and dismounting, making it convenient for seniors with limited mobility.
- Comfortable riding position: Consider handlebars that prioritize a relaxed and upright riding position, which reduces strain on the back, neck, and wrists. This ergonomic design enables seniors to maintain a comfortable posture throughout their rides. MeloYelo offers three different styles of handlebars. If you don’t like the handlebars on the bike you like, you can easily change them.
- Larger-than-normal batteries: Like the rest of our body, our legs can lose power as they age. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy long trail rides of 50 kilometres or more as a senior. This means that you should consider the sizes of batteries on the e-bike models you are evaluating. A very common size of the battery is 500 watt-hours. If you’re riding on moderate to hilly off-road trails, you will likely use around 12 watt-hours per kilometre, so a 500 watt-hour battery will allow you to ride around 40 kilometres. A 630 watt-hour battery – the size found on MeloYelo e-bikes – will allow you to ride around 52 kilometres in similar conditions.
- Derailleur protector: E-bikes can fall over, and if they fall the wrong way, the derailleur can be damaged beyond repair. Look for an e-bike with a derailleur protector, which helps prevent damage to this expensive component.
What is the Best E-Bike for seniors with Bad Knees?
If you have bad knees, consider buying an e-bike with a thumb throttle or twist throttle. Using a throttle allows you to get moving from a standstill without straining your knees. Then, once you are moving, start pedalling. After all, e-bikes are not designed to be motorbikes.
You might also consider an e-bike with a cadence sensor rather than a torque sensor. A cadence sensor-equipped bike requires less leg pressure on the pedals once you’re moving, whereas a torque sensor-equipped bike rewards extra leg pressure with extra motor assistance. MeloYelo offers two models with cadence sensors: the MeloYelo Townee and the MeloYelo Tranzit MD electric bike.
Conclusion: Test Ride various Makes and Models Before you make your Decision
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to which e-bike will best meet the needs of senior riders. But, as this article illustrates, there are some important considerations.
Make sure you test ride several different makes and models, ideally in real-world conditions. MeloYelo agents offer long test rides away from busy streets. And, if it has been a while since you rode a bike, they will even ride along with you to help gently restore your confidence.
