Electric assist bikes provide meaningful exercise: Study

Electric assist bicycle can provide an effective workout and improve cardiovascular health, especially for those who previously had been sedentary, new study has found.
These electrically-powered bicycle are equipped with a built-in electric motor that provides modest assistance while the rider is actively pedalling, making it easier to cover greater distances and hilly terrain.
Pedelecs have steadily grown more popular with consumers over the past decade, especially in Europe and Asia.
Researchers from University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) in the US were interested in studying whether or not pedelecs could help physically inactive non-cyclists achieve recommended daily fitness levels.

For the study, they recruited twenty non-exercising volunteers who were sedentary commuters (car commuters).
The researchers tested various aspects of their health, including blood glucose regulation and fitness.

The volunteers were then asked to substitute their sedentary commute for riding their pedelec at the speed and intensity of their choice for a minimum of 40 minutes three times per week while wearing a heart monitor and a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.
After a month, the volunteers came back to the lab and had their health tested again. The researchers noticed improvements in the riders' cardiovascular health, including increased aerobic capacity and improved blood sugar control.

"Commuting with a pedelec can help individuals incorporate physical activity into their day without requiring them to set aside time specifically for exercise," said James Peterman, a graduate researcher at CU Boulder.
Pedelec bicycles are designed to provide motorised assistance up to speeds of 20 miles per hour. Above that speed, riders must provide all the pedalling power themselves.
Based on GPS data, the riders involved in the study rode at an average speed of 12.5 miles per hour and reported no crashes or accidents.