I Bought An E-bike. Don’t Judge.

By Nancy Alexander, PT, CSCS

It happened maybe six months ago. I was finding it increasingly hard and painful to swing my leg (either leg) over my bike seat whenever I rode my bike. It has the straight bar across the top so it’s the only way to get on and get off. I love the bike and I’ve probably had it about 15 years if not more. I just kept doing it until a few weeks ago when I thought, I don’t want to do this anymore. It hurt and, to be honest, I don’t think I could lean the bike any more to the side to get on it without falling. It was then I started looking for a new, step-through bicycle.

My hips will likely not get better. I have arthritis in both my hips with my left much more symptomatic. I believe I also have a labral tear at that hip from a ski injury about 10 years ago. I was standing on line to get onto a lift and a young boy tangled with the tail of my left ski and basically made a wishbone of my legs. My bindings did not release and I eventually fell, with both skis still on. Yep, that hurt and it took me months to recover. But I digress. Fact is, I need to manage my condition and it was time to take action. To stop biking was not an option.

As I started to look for a new step-through bike, I kept seeing ads for e-bikes (a bicycle with a motor to help provide power when you need it). Oh, I don’t need that, I thought. But the more I read, I started to consider this as a viable, if not a very good, option. Research began and I came up with what I think is the perfect bike. It’s pretty, too. The color is an aqua green with attractive detailing. It doesn’t look like your traditional e-bike.

My new bicycle arrived and I tricked it out with fenders, a water bottle holder, and a phone holder. The rack for the back is on order. Now that I’ve ridden it a few times, I know it’s the perfect bike for me. I can ride without any assist at all. Or, I can use one of five different levels of pedal assist, depending on my needs at the moment. It also has a throttle which I liken to a gas pedal. Hit that button and I get a burst of speed when I need it. Release it and it stops. The technology actually amazes me.

I’ve become proud of my e-bike like many of you who already have one. I feel like I’m in on a secret before the rest of the world finds out. Keep an open mind friends.

7 Benefits

Since I’ve started riding, I am realizing these benefits:

1. My hips don’t hurt getting on the bike, getting off the bike, while biking, after biking.
2. No more excuses. No more, “It’s too hot out,” or “It’s too windy out,” or “I’m tired today,” or blah blah blah. I can adjust the bike to me and the conditions.
3. I am riding more. (See #2). Before getting my e-bike, I was averaging a ride every two weeks –except when I was training for Nationals. Now, I am riding every other day – for the last two weeks. Granted, I know it’s still new. Ask me again in a month, and I’ll be honest with you. I can pretty much bet though it will be more than my previous average. I enjoy riding it.
4. My husband is riding more. He joins me whenever I go. It’s fun to go together and he’s getting the benefits, too. PS: He bought an e-bike last year.
5. Not shy about riding with a group. Whenever I am asked to join a group ride, I have the same questions you might have: “Will I be able to keep up?” or “Will I able to ride as long as they do?” Now the answer is, “Yes,” to both.
6. I am stronger. I’m still getting a great workout because I set the assist (often I don’t use it here in the flatlands of Florida). Even after the first week I felt the difference in my legs. I feel stronger. And my hips and my low back feel great. (See #1)
7. I feel better. I am moving more and I have more energy as a result. I am even eating better. This movement thing has a cascade effect.

I might find even more benefits from my new bike as time goes on. For example, I will be taking my bike up north to the Finger Lakes next month. Steeps hills? Bring them on. Sure, I can’t train for hills in Florida, but I have technology on my side. Ride around the (Keuka) lake? (I’ve done this before more than once.) Why not?

No more “defending” my purchase of an e-bike. What I will defend is anything, even technology, that will help me and you move more, feel better, and have fun. See you on the road.