Are Electric Bikes A Good Option for Seniors?
You may have seen them whizzing by in your neighborhood or heard friends talking about their new electric bikes. But what exactly are electric bikes, also called e-bikes, and are they good for the aging senior population? For seniors who love bike rides and exploring or who want to add more exercise to their lives, electric bikes can be a great option.
If you are just learning about e-bikes or are actively looking into them, here are some things to know about electric bikes.
What is an Electric Bike?
Though electric is in the name, it doesn’t mean you can’t pedal yourself. It is a bike with an electric motor, usually fueled by a rechargeable battery. The power is there when you need it. Electric bikes have many of the same characteristics as regular, non-assisted bikes, but the power is there when you need it. To be considered an e-bike, the motor is there to help propel you, not to do all of the work for you. For example, if you are going up a steep hill and tired halfway through, the power can switch on and help you conquer that hill. If you’ve been riding all day and are ready to cruise home, the power can help you. For example, maybe you can conquer most of the Virginia Creeper Trail on your own, but not quite the full 34 miles. That is where the power from the bike can help. Or if you rode to your destination on your own with the wind at your back, but now are riding into the win, the electric bike mode can switch on and help you make your way through the gusts. Depending on the bike you get, it can perform off-road on trails and through the woods, just as it can on the street.
Will I Still Get the Usual Benefits From Riding a Bike
Because you don’t always need to use the power on the bike, you can still get plenty of strength and cardio benefits from an electric bike. The bike doesn’t need to do any of the work for you, or it doesn’t need to do all of it. You can still pedal away and get that cardio in. But it is there if you need it or to help you through tough spots on your bike ride. Part of what classifies a bike as an electric bike is that it can’t just cruise for you at all times. You need to at least pedal to get the electric assistance to kick in. The amount of power you get is determined by how hard you are pedaling and what you’ve set the bike to. You can have it set to higher power or lower power, depending on how much assistance you want. Most times you can adjust the controls as you are riding, too.
Benefits for Seniors
Electric bikes can be a great fit for senior citizens. They can help them explore more places than they might have been able to before or even just decide to set out in the first place for a ride. Perhaps you were hesitant to take a bike ride, thinking you might not be able to make the return trip or be able to keep going the whole time. E-bikes can give you the boost you might need to take the ride.
Powered bicycles also can help you enjoy your ride more at times. If you are struggling to pedal, often it takes away the enjoyment, and you can’t even look up and enjoy the scenery. An electric bike can help with that, making the ride more enjoyable and not such a struggle. They also can take some of the worry away from seniors who feel like they might need a little more oomph as they are exploring via bike.
We Can Help
If you are looking for help with your senior loved one this spring or at any time of the year, Visiting Angels can help. We offer expert home care for seniors in the area. Our professional caregivers can help with everything from accompanying your senior on a walk or bike ride to helping them get seniors ready to tackle the day. We also offer personal care services, a program to help keep your senior safe on their feet and specialty care, including care for clients with dementia.
We serve seniors in the Midlothian area, including in Richmond, Henrico and throughout the Southside neighborhoods of Brandermill and Bon Air. To find out more about our services and how they can help you, contact us online or call us today at (804) 423-6500.
If you are considering helping to care for seniors in your area, we are always looking to add compassionate caregivers to our staff. Contact us for more information.