Older riders – many well into their 80s – 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 because they allow seniors to have fun while getting exercise at the same time.
Improved Mental Health
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 communityfor 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.
Key E-Bike Features Highly Rated by Seniors
MeloYelo has conducted research amongst its 4000+ customers, most of whom are senior ebike riders. Here are the features they have identified as important to them:
- Step-through frame: Step-through frames eliminate the need to swing a leg over the saddle. They allow for easy mounting and dismounting, which is particularly important for seniors who may have hip or knee-related mobility issues.
- Big battery. In our experience, while many seniors are initially quite cautious, perhaps because it has been many years since they’ve ridden a bike, they quickly discover the joy and exhilaration that comes from riding an ebike and increasingly want to venture farther afield, riding some of the great – and longer – trails on offer around NZ. The last thing they want is to run out of battery power before completing their ride. So, seniors definitely prefer batteries with a larger capacity – 600 watt-hours or more.
- A thumb throttle. Some ebike owners refer to this as the turbo button. It’s a lever, mounted on the handlebars, that, when pushed, can power your bike without you having to pedal. The harder you push the lever, the faster you will go (like an accelerator). It is particularly useful for getting moving from a standstill, and for giving you an extra burst of power when climbing hills. Not all makes and models have throttles – for instance, you won’t find a throttle on European brands of ebikes. So, if this feature is important to you, be sure to explore the bikes on offer from MeloYelo.
- Comfortable riding position. Handlebars come in various shapes. On most mountain bikes, the handlebars are straight, and this requires the rider to crouch forward. However, we have found that most seniors and older ebike riders prefer swept-back handlebars that allow the rider to sit in a more upright position. This reduces strain on the back, neck, and wrists. MeloYelo offers three different styles of handlebars. If you don’t like the handlebars, they can easily be swapped out for handlebars that are more comfortable for you.
- 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.
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.
FAQs
Are ebikes safe for seniors?
Yes, as long as you know how to operate your bike and ride with confidence, and with visibility in mind. MeloYelo agents take the time to work closely with customers who may not have been on a bike in years. They help them slowly build up their skills and confidence.
How far can an e-bike go on a single charge?
That depends on a number of things, including the size of the battery (measured in watt-hours), the type of terrain, and the amount of leg power that the rider contributes. As a rough rule of thumb, an average rider might use 7.5 watt-hours of battery power per kilometre riding around town; 12 watt-hours of battery power per kilometre riding on back-country trails. If the bike has a 500 watt-hour battery, that equates to around 66 kilometres of range in town, 42 kilometres of range on back-country trails. MeloYelo ebikes have batteries of at least 630 watt-hours, and hence offer longer range than most.
What is the easiest bike for a senior to ride?
That will depend on individual capabilities. But for someone who hasn’t ridden a multi-gear bike in some time and doesn’t want to have to go through multiple gear changes while traversing hills, a hub-drive bike will deliver the easiest riding experience, because the power you get from the motor is less dependent upon what gear you’re in. (We find that many older riders tend to leave their bike in 5th, 6th or 7th gear, or to limit their gear changing within that range.)
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.
Take a look at this quick reference guide, which aims to help you find the right bike for you:
| Recommendation | ||
| Where do I plan on riding my e-bike? | Around town only | Hub drive motor. A battery of 400 – 500Wh will be ample. Expect to use around 7.5Wh/km |
| Around town and on easy off-road trails | Hub drive or mid-drive motor. A battery of at least 500Wh is recommended. | |
| Around town and on more challenging off-road trails | Mid-drive motor. A battery of 600Wh+ is recommended. Expect to use around 12Wh/km. | |
| How much leg power will I be able to contribute? | Not a lot, at least initially | Consider a bike with a thumb throttle and a larger battery |
| My legs are strong enough to deliver consistent pedal power | Thumb throttle not necessary, 500 Wh battery may be sufficient | |
| How good do I expect myself to be at changing gears when approaching hills, climbing hills, and descending hills? | Not very good | A hub-drive bike is a more efficient and less expensive option for you |
| I’ll be fine, I’m confident changing gears | If you think you’ll be tackling more challenging trails, a mid-drive bike is for you | |
| Am I proficient at shifting into a lower gear as I am coming to a stop? | Yes | A thumb throttle may not be necessary. If you hve shifted into a lower gear before stopping, it will be easy to get moving again by pedaling. |
| No | A thumb throttle will be very helpful to get you moving again. | |
| Do I have any hip or knee issues that affect my mobility? | Yes | Look for a bike with a step-through frame. |
| No | A step-through frame might not be necessary. | |
| Is there a possibility that I will become more adventurous as I regain my riding confidence? | Yes | Buy an e-bike with more capability than you might initially need. A bike with a mid-drive motor and a large battery will serve you well. |
| No | A bike with a hub-drive motor and a battery of 500-650Wh will serve you well. | |
| What warranty will I get? And, are spare parts readily available in NZ? | A typical ebike warranty is 2 years on electrical components, 1 year on mechanical components. MeloYelo offers a 3 year warranty on electrical and mechanical components. And, MeloYelo keeps spare parts available in NZ, even for discontinued models. |
What to Avoid when Buying an E-bike
- Avoid making a buying decision without having taken test-rides on several different ebikes. It’s important to find a bike that is comfortable for you, and that operates in a way that best suits your abilities.
- Avoid taking delivery of your bike without having it fitted to you. Fitting might mean adjusting the angle of the handlebars, or replacing the handlebars completely with handlebars that feel best for you. It might mean adjusting the position of various controls on the handlebars: Brake levers, thumb throttle, gear levers, etc. It might mean adjusting or replacing the saddle. There are lots of things your agent can do to maximise your comfort.
- Avoid buying from a brand that does not carry spare parts in New Zealand. There have been cases of ebike owners having to wait many months, if not a year or longer, for spare parts to come from overseas.
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.
