Electric mobility

Pedal assist is arguably the best part of electric bikes and the thing that makes them so wonderfully convenient to use.See a giant hill approaching and don’t think your legs can handle it? The pedal assist will get you up there.Thinking about commuting to and from work every day but concerned about distances and your fitness? Pedal assist makes long-distance biking easier and much more doable.It can be argued the pedal assist IS the electric bike - without it, you’re just stuck with a regular old bicycle.This article was written for many purposes, the most important being: To explain what pedal assist is. What kinds of pedal assist there are. How to use and get the most out of pedal assist. We’re going to cover a whole lot more than that though by the time this article is finished.So you’ve ever wondered what pedal assist actually is and how much it can help you on your ride, this is the place to be right now.Let’s get to it.What is pedal assist exactly?First, let’s talk about what pedal assist is NOT.Pedal assistance is not like a typical automobile or scooter in that it propels you forward without any effort on your part. The bike will not simply take off the moment at the simple flip or twist of a button or lever (unless the bike has something called a throttle).Pedal assist, or pedelec, provides extra power when activated and ONLY works when the rider is actually pedaling. If you’re not actively using your legs and turning the pedals, the motor will remain inactive and pedal assist will not work.Simply put, all pedal assist does is makes things easier. The additional power provided by pedal assistance reduces the amount of energy the rider needs put into pedaling themself. That means riders are able to ride further, ride faster, and handle difficult terrain, like hills, more easily.It also means that people don’t need to be exceptionally fit to ride either. A person with average fitness riding an electric bike can ride up a hill just as quickly as someone with above-average fitness using a regular bike, if not more quickly.How does pedal assist work?As mentioned before, pedal assist only works when the rider is actively turning the pedals themselves. When they are not pedaling, the bike will not accelerate or maintain speed on its own, unless it also has a throttle and the rider is using that too.When you start pedaling, you will often feel the pedal assist quite literally kick in. Depending on the level of assistance and type of sensors used, the act of pedaling will feel much easier as soon as you start doing it. Sometimes, it can feel like the bike is “pushing” you (in a certain sense), but remember it’s not actually propelling you - it’s just making pedaling that much easier.Most pedal assist systems come with different, selectable levels of assistance. The higher the assistance level you choose, the easier pedaling becomes. Five levels is the most common amount, although bikes with as few as three and as much as seven are not unheard of.When using the first level, you’re only going to receive a little extra help and pedaling won’t feel that much different from a normal bicycle. As you switch to higher levels, the pedal assist becomes more and more noticeable and riding becomes easier and easier.One thing to keep in mind is that the higher the pedal assistance, the more energy the motor needs. This energy comes from the bike’s battery thus the more pedal assistance being used, the more energy is drained from the battery.Levels of pedal assistanceHere is a very rough breakdown of what you can expect from an electric bike with five levels of pedal assistance: Level 1 - Very little assistance. Not too different from riding a regular bike with just a faint amount of help. Better if you want to conserve the battery and/or get a workout in with your ebike. Riders will probably be averaging less than 10 MPH on level ground. Level 2 - A little bit more “oomph” from the motor. This level is a nice standard for those who use their e-bike often, especially in urban areas. Not too fast and not too much energy drainage. Level 3 - A decent amount of assistance. You’ll want to be at this level when going up hills as the amount of effort required to climb them becomes exponentially greater. On flat terrain, riders will probably be hitting speeds of around 15 MPH. Level 4 - At this point, you’re really going to feel the pedal assist, so much so that it can feel like the bike is pedaling itself. Average speed will approach 20 MPH and riding up hills will become much easier. Level 5 - The maximum amount of assistance you can get out of your motor. Depending on your ebike, you can go really fast really quickly with this level selected. Most pedal assist systems will cut out once the bike has reached around 20 MPH. This is for legal reasons. Also, batteries will drain quite quickly.  Of course, all of the above varies from e-bike to e-bike and rider to rider. These are just generalizations to give you an idea of what to expect from a pedelec.Are there different types of pedal assist?There are several different types of pedal assist currently available on the market. Considering these types is an important decision when buying an electric bicycle.The two main types of pedal assist are cadence sensors and torque sensors. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses.Throttle is sometimes considered a type of pedal assistance but technically is not, seeing as one often doesn’t need to actually pedal to use the throttle. Regardless, we’ll go over what throttle is in addition to the two aforementioned sensors in the following section.Cadence SensorCadence sensors are probably the most common type of pedal assistance.The way they work is quite straightforward: when you pedal, a magnet installed adjacent to the pedals sends a signal to the motor to activate, at which point the pedal assistance kicks in. Simple as that.The amount of assistance provided by a cadence-based pedelec, again, depends on the level of assistance you select. Lower level = less assistance, and vice versa.Due to the cadence sensor’s simplicity though, the system can be a bit wonky at times. Some electric bikes will jerk forward the moment the motor kicks in and switching between pedal assistance levels can be rough sometimes.Though they can detect the rate at which you are pedaling as well, cadence systems cannot detect the force you are actually applying. If you’re riding on terrain where your rate of pedaling or the amount of force you put in changes drastically, like a hill, the sensors might get confused.Luckily, despite their shortcomings, most cadence systems have developed to the point of being quite intuitive. They used to be really jerky in the early days but as the technology has advanced and more magnets have been added to the system, things have really smoothed out.A lot of people prefer cadence sensors for their simplicity and for the fact that they can be controlled more directly.Torque SensorTorque sensors are more advanced than cadence sensors and are relatively less common. A lot of riders claim that they offer the smoothest pedal assistance experience possible as well.Unlike the simpler cadence varieties, torque sensors are able to sense the amount of force the rider is using when pedaling. The harder you pedal - i.e. the more force you use - the more pedal assistance the motor provides.Torque sensors are less noticeable when active because they mirror the rider’s own output so well. Rather than shifting levels manually, a torque sensor will just know when you need more help based purely on the effort you’re putting in. Relax and the motor will back off as well.A lot of people prefer torque sensors because they feel most similar to riding a regular bike.That being said, others believe that they’re not any better than cadence sensors. With a cadence sensor, at least you have greater control over the amount of assistance and can set it as you want.Ultimately, most would agree though that a system composed of both cadence and torque sensors is ideal. Such a system would offer both the control of a cadence sensor and the smoothness of a torque sensor.What’s the difference between pedal assist and throttle?We’ve already made the important distinction that pedal assist requires the rider to actually be pedaling in order to work.Propulsion that doesn’t require any sort of effort from the rider is usually achieved via a throttle.Throttles don’t require the rider to be pedaling at all in order to work. Rather, the throttle can be activated via a simple mechanism, usually a twisting grip or lever on the handlebar. When it is in use, the e-bike will propel itself, allowing you to enjoy the ride without putting any energy in yourself.Worth noting is that, when active, the throttle will not cause the pedals themselves to turn - they will remain stationary as if not in use. The gears of the bikes will be turned by the throttle though. On some e-bikes whose gears are visible externally, you can see them actually turning on their own.E-bike throttles are very similar to the throttles on motorized scooters and motorcycles. For this reason, they are more strictly regulated as well. Certain international regions, like the EU, don’t actually permit throttles on electric bikes at all.To get around these bans, some e-bikes have a throttle that, like pedal assist, only works when the rider is pedaling. In this case, the throttle acts more like a “boost” rather than something that keeps it going. As soon as you stop pedaling, the throttle turns off and you lose the additional speed. So these can’t really be considered “pure” throttles.What are the benefits of pedal assist?We’ve already mentioned a lot of perks to having pedal assist. In truth, the pedal assist really is the best part of electric bikes and the thing that makes them so wonderfully useful.In case you aren’t already sold on electric bikes or the pedal assist they offer, here are some more reasons to get on board: With pedal assistance, hills are less challenging and more enjoyable. Pedal assistance allows you to save your own energy, which means that you can ride further without getting tired. You can get to and from the places you need to faster. Those who commute to work with an electric bike can really stand to benefit from this. You can enjoy your rides more without having to worry so much about physical effort. If your bike has a throttle, you can really relax a bit! Just don’t become so relaxed that you lose attention and then crash. More intensive bike activities, like bikepacking or bike tours, are less intimidating as the physical hurdle is bypassed. A lot of people will actually opt to travel with their electric bike if they know there are other more physically capable riders in the group so that they can keep up better. How do I use pedal assist bikes properly?There is definitely a certain way to ride an electric bike and get the most out of its pedal assist system. Granted, riding an electric bike is very similar to riding a regular bike, but there are some key differences that you need to be aware of.First, you’ll want to select the appropriate riding mode or level of pedal assistance you want to use. It’s best to start lower and then work your way up the levels as you start riding. Try to avoid riding on the highest level possible at all times - this is a good way to deplete the battery more quickly.Next, just start and continue to pedal. Find your own rhythm or “cadence” and then let your legs do the rest.While riding, you want to avoid standing on the bike and jacking down on the pedals. This is a common habit people have on regular bikes and can really interfere with the sensors in the pedal assist. Just remain seated with your butt to the rubber and let the pedal assist do the work for you. Just increase assistance on the difficult bits.Keep in mind that with pedal assistance activated, you can achieve high speeds much easier. It can be difficult to maneuver while going super fast, especially considering that an electric bike is also a lot heavier than a regular bike. So don’t get in over your head and ride too quickly too soon - that’s how accidents occur.When you don’t want pedal assistance anymore, simply stop pedaling or hit the brakes. Both will cause the motor to cut out and the assistance to cease to work.Wrapping UpThe pedal assist is arguably the most important part of an electric bicycle. Without them and the additional support they provide, an electric bicycle wouldn’t be very special at all - it’d just be a regular bike at that point.Knowing what pedal assist is and how it can help can improve your riding experience. With the right technique and treating it right, you’ll get the most out of the system and save your bike’s battery at the same time.For that matter, having the right kind of pedal assist - the one that you prefer to use - will only make the ride better.Hopefully, you’ve gained a little extra knowledge by reading this article. If there’s any part of the pedal assistance that you’d like clarification on, please leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to help.

The laws surrounding electric bikes are not always clear - some are downright vague.Sometimes you are allowed to ride your e-bike in traffic, sometimes you have to stick only to special e-bike lanes. Go to a neighboring region or country though and suddenly you aren't allowed to do the same as before.And all of this is predicated on how the e-bike was built and what it is capable of? How can possibly grasp all of the different rules, regulations, and factors that go into e-bike lawmaking?If this all seems confusing at first, you’re not alone - things always get tricky when it comes to international laws, evidently more so when it comes to electric bikes.Let’s break things down into simpler parts. In this article, we're going to be covering electric bike laws around the world in an attempt to find similarities as well as key differences. By the end, you should at least have a better idea of what to expect, whether you're a resident of a country covered or planning on traveling there.What is the legal definition of an electric bike?Despite each country haivng its own definition for what electric bikes are legally speaking, they all generally say something similar:An electric bike is a two or more-wheeled vehicle with a motor and pedal assistance system.The key difference to look for between definitions around the world lies in how fast an electric bike can go and how powerful the motor is (in terms of wattage).It’s also important to point out here that different countries might actually refer to electric bikes differently.For example, e-bikes in the United Kingdom and European Union are legally referred to as EAPCs or electrically assisted pedal cycles. In Canada, they are called PABs or pedal assist bicycles. In the United States, electric bikes are referred to differently depending on if they have a throttle or not.Some examples of legal definitions USA - “A two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph.”  Europe - “Pedal cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250 W, where the output of the motor is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and is otherwise progressively reduced and finally cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h.” Australia - “Bicycle that has an auxiliary motor with a maximum power output not exceeding 250 W without consideration for speed limits or pedal sensors." Canada - “Two- or three-wheeled bicycle equipped with handlebars and operable pedals, an attached electric motor of 500W or less, and a maximum speed capability of 32 km/h from the motor over level ground.” United Kingdom - “An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it. It must show either the power output the manufacturer of the motor. It must also show either the battery’s voltage the maximum speed of the bike. Its electric motor must have a maximum power output of 250 watts should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph. An EAPC can have more than 2 wheels (for example, a tricycle).” What parts of an electric bike are regulated?There are four crucial aspects to pay attention to when it comes to the rules and regulations surrounding electric bikes: Motor power - More specifically, the wattage. This indicates the maximum amount of electricity that can be supplied to the motor. The more wattage, the faster an electric bike can potentially go without extra effort or energy from the rider. Top speeds - How fast an electric bike is permitted to travel before the motor cuts out. This is an important distinction as electric bikes aren’t necessarily propelled by their motors. Rather the motors make riding easier, which then enables riders to go faster. Minimum - The minimum age that someone has to be to legally use an electric bike. Throttle - A throttle is a feature that allows someone to accelerate an electric bike without actually pedaling, like a moped or motorized scooter. This is a heavily regulated aspect of e-bikes and is often not permitted. Each country - at least those mentioned in this article - will have different requirements when it comes to the above features. Some may permit electric bikes to reach higher speeds than others whilst others may have stricter rules when it comes to age. Read on for a more comprehensive breakdown.Do I need a license to ride an electric bicycle?In most cases, no, you do not need a license to ride an electric bike. By merit of being called an “electric bike”, they are often treated like regular bikes, despite their obvious differences. Crucially, this means no licensing is required.This is a fairly large generalization though. Electric bikes laws are subtly different across the world, especially when one starts to drill down to a more local level. In fact, certain jurisdictions DO require electric bike riders to have a license despite the national government not requiring the same.For example, Quebec requires that e-bike riders under the age of 18 must have a moped license to ride an e-bike. This is the only province in Canada with such a law.TL;DR always check e-bike rules and regulations on a local level because they can quickly change from city to city, state to state, or province to province.How much wattage is enough?An e-bike’s wattage and top speed are somewhat misunderstood concepts. This is especially the case with new riders who are just learning how to ride their bike.For one thing, more wattage doesn’t necessarily mean your bike will be faster. At the same time, a bike’s top speed is no guarantee that you will actually go much faster.Aside from those with a throttle, most electric bikes require some sort of human assistance to accelerate. Some may need more human power, others might need less.When it comes to wattage, the more you have, the easier and more quickly you will be able to accelerate. Only once you hit a certain speed, will the motor cut out and no longer help you accelerate.So how much wattage do you actually need? To put things in perspective, riding on gentle terrain at 20 MPH requires about 220 watts of energy, either in the form of battery or human power. The average person would struggle to create this sort of output on their own. Thus the addition of a battery helps to supply the necessary energy.If you generally ride on flat ground and don’t go much faster than 15-20 MPH, then 250-500 watts is probably enough for you. Granted, the e-bike will not accelerate very fast. Hills will also be a problem.The biggest benefit of having a 500-750 watt motor is the conquering of hills. With this much energy, inclines are much less of a problem. Those who commute to work on e-bikes generally like the extra help 500-watt models provide. Ultimately, they want to avoid getting sweaty.A 500+ watt e-bike will also accelerate a bit faster but top speeds will remain proportionally lower. Despite wattage doubling, you’ll only get an extra 4-5 MPH before the engine cuts out.E-bike laws around the world Country Minimum Age Max Wattage Top Speed License Required? Throttle Allowed? USA 14-16 years 750 watts 20-28 MPH Depends Only Class 2* Canada 12-16 years 500 watts 20 MPH Depends Yes UK 14 years 250 watts 15.5 MPH No No EU 12 years 500 watts 20 MPH No No Australia 12-16 years 250 watts 15.5 MPH No Yes New Zealand 14 years 300 watts None No Yes Japan None?** 250 watts 15 MPH No, but registration, yes No China None?* 400 watts 15.5 MPH Depends Yes *In most (but not all) states, e-bikes are assigned a “class” based on their top speed and wattage. More on that in a moment.**There isn’t much information online regarding laws around the minimum age to operate an electric bike in Japan or China. Based upon global e-bike laws, we estimate (and hope) that the minimum age in these countries is around 12-14 years. This is in no way an official number though.USAE-bikes are governed on a state-by-state basis. Each one has its own unique rules and regulations.About half of the states use a class system that categorizes e-bikes based upon their features. Class 1 bikes are less powerful and are less regulated whilst class 3 bikes are the opposite. Below is a quick breakdown of the American electric bike classes and their rules: Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Top speed 20 MPH 20 MPH 28 MPH Pedal Assist? Yes Yes Yes Throttle? No Yes Sometimes Helmet Require? Depends Depends Depends Minimum Age Depends Depends Depends Of the three classes, the third is the most difficult to pin down as individual states have their own additional rules. These cover everything from minimum age to helmet use to throttle to where one can legally ride the bike. In California for example, class 3 e-bikes are not allowed to have a throttle or ride on slower bike paths. Helmets are also legally mandatory.Helmet use and licensing are particularly variable across all states. Around half the states have helmet laws that apply only to adolescents and children. Others, such as Connecticut, are more strict and require everyone to wear one regardless of e-bike class.As mentioned before though, not every state uses this 3-class system - some just use make their own rules.In order to get the most comprehensive legal overview of your state, refer to this website here.CanadaLike the USA, Canadian provinces each have their own electric bike laws. Most of these provincial laws concern minimum age, licensing, bike functions, and where the bike is permitted to be used.In Manitoba for example, e-bikes are banned from sidewalks whilst in New Brunswick they aren’t.Provincial rules also really get into the nitty-gritty of how the-e-bikes work. Some regions require that the bikes work in very, very specific ways, such as the throttles cutting out certain speeds or there being certain minimum braking distances. These laws are quite meticulous so, as usual, it pays to do your research.You can refer to this guide here for more details on provincial electric bike laws in Canada.Despite the difference of laws on a provincial level, there are certain federal laws that almost all provinces follow. These are: All bikes must use a motor with less than 500 watts. Have a speed limit of 20 MPH. Everyone is required to wear a helmet. UKElectric bike laws do not vary greatly across the United Kingdom. All of the constituencies, even Northern Ireland - which had its own laws for a while - use the same rules.e-bikes that are legally compliant are officially regarded as EAPCs (electric assisted pedal cycle) and are treated the same as regular bikes in the UK. They can go on the same roads, don’t require registration or licensing, and have the same age limitations.It is possible to legally use electric bikes with more powerful motors, but they will not be considered EAPCs. Thus, you must apply for a special license to use them.Of particular note is that a throttle of any kind is not allowed in the United Kingdom. All e-bike motors must only work when someone is pedaling and must cease to work beyond 15.5 MPH. E-bikes can feature a boost mode though, which gives the rider a little extra power so long as they are still pedaling.In the UK, electric bikes with a throttle are often referred to as “twist-and-gos”.EUAs you’d expect, each member of the European Union has its own e-bike rules and regulations. Yet each one still follows certain universal laws, such as those pertaining to speed limits and wattage. This makes the situation in the EU very similar to that in the USA or Canada.Most of the European Union treats valid e-bikes as regular bikes. This means that they do not require any sort of special licensing and can be ridden anywhere a normal bike could. Helmet laws are also quite lax generally speaking and only apply to younger riders (below the ages of 18-14).Because biking is so popular in Europe, there are a ton of different e-bike models available. A lot of newer models are much more powerful as well, resembling more motorbikes than e-bikes. Obviously, these are often not strictly compliant but various countries have already started to make special rules for high-powered e-bikes. Finland and Denmark are two examples.Refer to this article for more information about e-bike laws around Europe.Also, remember that Switzerland is NOT a part of the EU so it has its own e-bike laws.AustraliaAustralia has two sets of laws that apply to e-bikes depending on their motor and drive system: e-bikes that have a throttle and no pedal assist must be limited to 200 watts. e-bikes that have a pedal system are limited to 250 watts and may have a throttle but they can’t exceed 3 MPH when used alone. Beyond that, all electric bikes in Australia are limited to 15.5 MPH. Riders must also follow common bike laws such as: Mandatory helmet use at all times. The bike must have a bell or some other device to alert people. Must have the proper visibility accessories. Only ride where bikes are permitted. Of course, if you’re in the market for a more powerful e-bike, you can buy one in Australia. You’ll just need to go through the extra bureaucracy of registering it and getting licensed.Interestingly, all of the above doesn’t actually apply to e-bikes when used off-road. This means it's actually quite easy to find 250 watt + bikes for sale in Australia - they’re all just sold for “offroading”. If you were to use one of these in the city though, you would be subject to regulations again though, and failing to go through the proper channels could result in a fine.New ZealandThere is a lot of misconception surrounding electric bike laws in New Zealand it seems. This is probably due to the fact that the rules here are a bit different from other countries.For one thing, there is no speed limit for electric bikes in New Zealand, at all. The limit is whatever is posted on the road. That means you could potentially find a model here with a motor that doesn’t cut out once you hit a certain speed like is the case in the USA and EU.Does that mean that you’ll be going insane speeds whilst riding in New Zealand? Probably not as the motors are capped at 300 watts, and you can only get so much out of that.Worth noting too is that, like Australia, there are practically no applicable laws when riding an e-bike offroad in New Zealand. You’re only bound by the law when the laws exist i.e. in urban areas.JapanJapan draws the line between electric bikes and mopeds by looking at their means of propulsion. If the bike has a pedal assist, it qualifies as an electric bike. If it has a throttle, it is considered a scooter and then requires the necessary registration and licensing.For a long time, electric bikes were fairly unregulated in Japan or, if there were laws, no one bothered to uphold them. People just rode wherever they wanted, seemingly following their own rules.But those days are over as Japan recently snapped out of its lull and started laying new laws, some of which carry harsh penalties. Tailgating, cell phone use, riding on sidewalks are all actions that could result in a fine while riding an electric bike. These laws also, somewhat absurdly, apply to regular bike riders as well, much to their frustration.ChinaChina and Japan have very different electric bike laws.For one thing, registration and licensing is much more prevalent, at least in certain Chinese cities.For another, there are strict standards when it comes to defining what an electric bike actually is. E-bikes in China must have pedals, must weigh less than a certain amount, and have a certain speed limit. These rules, which are relatively new, are meant to govern e-bikers seriously. Apparently, previously terrible behavior on the part of e-bikers was causing pandemonium in the cities.Some cities, such as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, have actually banned e-bikes altogether in certain areas.Wrapping UpAs electric bikes become more popular and start to integrate more deeply into cities, laws governing them are only going to become more numerous.If you are a regular e-bike user, it will pay to be ahead of the curve. That way, you can avoid trouble and continue to ride as freely as possible.And we at Linky are all about freedom of mobility :)Have you encountered any strange or tricky laws while traveling around the world? Let us know in the comments below! And thanks in advance for the warning.

Biking is HUGELY popular in Europe.More than a hobby, more than a cheap mode of transportation, biking is life for some people on the continent.At that rate, there are a ton of bike-friendly cities in Europe, so many that making a list of all of them feels a bit ambitious. It would be easier to talk about which European cities are NOT good for biking.But there are a handful of places that stand out from the rest. In these cities, bikers are seemingly everywhere and at all times of the day.Those who have traveled to Europe before will not be surprised to hear that Northern Europe - in particular, The Netherlands and Scandinavia - are heavily represented here. But we’ve made sure to include a few noteworthy cities from the fringes that are trying their best to be the next big European city to bike in.In total, we will cover 18 cities spread across 12 different countries. Which one will impress you the most? Let’s find out now.Copenhagen - The Reigning ChampionSince 2015, Copenhagen has been ranked by the (hopefully unbiased) Copenhagenize Index* as not only the best city in Europe to bike but the entire world. That’s 6 years and counting.What makes Copenhagen such a great European bike city?According to Visit Copenhagen, it’s just Danish design, plain and simple.Above all else, Danish design equates to simplicity and utilitarianism. City planning is straightforward and organized - bike lanes are spacious, clearly marked, and specialized based upon the type of commuter.With over 300 miles of total bike lane as well (Los Angeles has only 150 to add context) and nearly 4 in 5 residents owning a bike, the city is saturated in bike culture, to say the least.The Danes’ law-abiding nature and easy temperament might also play into things. In 2016, 76% of locals said they felt safe riding their bikes in the city.*The Copenhagenize Index is one of the leading sources on ranking bike-friendliness around the world. Noteworthy neighbor: MalmoJust across the Oresund channel from Copenhagen, lies Sweden’s own bicycle champion: the industrial city of Malmo. And despite its industrial origins, Malmo is actually one of the greenest cities in all of Europe as well. We all know biking and environmentalism go hand-in-hand.Malmo has launched many biking programs in line with its environmentally conscious attitude. Expanding its already impressive 330 miles of bike lanes, an enormous bike rental network, and initiatives aimed at those who commute on bikes are just a few examples.So watch out Copenhagen - Malmo’s coming for you from across the bridge.Amsterdam - Still Repping The NetherlandsWhen people think of biking in Europe, 9 times out of 10 they probably think of Amsterdam first. Unsurprisingly, it’s usually at the very top (or near) the list of most friendly bike cities in Europe.The secret? Smart urban renovation over the last few decades has created an urban space where motorized vehicles and pedestrians are able to move in harmony. According to Waze, Dutch drivers were actually the happiest in the world in 2016, despite the hordes of bikers.In short, Amsterdam has found a way that allows bikes and cars to co-exist together and thrive.So what could be holding Amsterdam back? Whilst some think it’s still better than Copenhagen, others have observed that too many bikes in the city might be counter-intuitive. Noteworthy neighbor: UtrechtIf we’re being honest, just about every city in The Netherlands could qualify as a bike-friendly European city. But Utrecht is arguably the closest contender to the current Dutch champion.Located only an hour away from Amsterdam and often considered a miniature version of the capital, Utrecht can still hold its own. It boasts many superlatives, such as one of the longest bike paths in Europe and an enormous garage able to house 12,500 bikes.Utrecht is smaller than Amsterdam but still suffers from the same over-abundance of bikes, which is a recurrent problem in The Netherlands. Once the country, with Amsterdam at the vanguard, alleviates this issue, biking in Utrecht will only get better.Oslo - The King in the NordThe Nords are usually at the forefront when it comes to urban planning and green city living. Denmark’s Copenhagen and Sweden’s Malmo have been the two most prominent bike-friendly cities in Northern Europe in recent years. But they’re not alone these days.Oslo, the capital of Norway, was given the coveted title of “Rising Star” by Copenhagenize Index in 2019. Once a lame duck, Oslo is taking an aggressive approach in regard to urban traffic. Car parks are being ripped out in bulk, new infrastructure is being laid, and ambitions are being fanned, despite the politics.Parallel to biking build-up, Oslo started to move towards a completely car-free city in 2015 and is practically there by now.Future’s looking bright for Oslo. Let’s see if it can live up to its lofty biking goals. Noteworthy neighbor: HelsinkiHelsinki has similar goals to Oslo - they also want to become the most bike-friendly city in Europe and the world at that rate.Equally ambitious and probably with a head-start, Helsinki is undeniably good to bikers. It features a staggering 850 miles of bike infrastructure and plans to add another 100 miles of what they call “bike highways”. All to make biking and living in the city easier.Helsinki did lose its way a bit in the early 2010s but has since bounced back as one of the best cities in Europe to have a bicycle. So keep an eye on this one.Strasbourg - The French ConnectionStrasbourg is and will continue to be the most bikeable city in France for the foreseeable future.Conveniently located in the geographically languid Alsace Valley, Strasbourg has all the qualities that a bike-friendly city should have: an active population, a forward-thinking government, and a healthy amount of motivation.Modal share among residents is only 15%, which is a bit low compared to other leading European bike cities. Interestingly, cargo bikes are ubiquitous in Strasbourg and are used by everyone from families to white-collar workers.Despite being the best in France, the local government is serious about building upon what Strasbourg already has. Their goal is to urge more people to bike, raise the modal share, and slowly push cars out of the idyllic city center. Noteworthy neighbor: BordeauxComing up hot on the heels of Strasbourg is the city of Bordeaux, the capital of the famous French wine-growing region.Bordeaux’s current position among bike-friendly European cities is partly due to its fervor. Its aggressive stance towards closing major arteries to motorized traffic - ex. the closing of the Pont de Pierre bridge - and serious investment in new biking infrastructure have partly fueled its sudden rise.Critics have pointed out though that, in order to remain a contender, Bordeaux needs not only to maintain steam but also work more on keeping the bike network consistent.Antwerp - A Diamond in the RoughBelgium is in love with biking, maybe more so than any other country on this list. In the flat northern region of Flanders, which includes the city of Antwerp, it’s a borderline obsession.Biking is deeply ingrained in Antwerp's culture and, as such, is widely practiced. Antwerp does a particularly good job at involving tourists - both bike-sharing and route planning apps are widely available, making it one of the best European cities to visit for bike holidays.Even if the modal share is pretty good (33%), the local government is still not satisfied. Antwerp is very serious about expanding its biking infrastructure and has plans already in motion. They’re ambitious in Antwerp and how can they not be when their Dutch neighbors get so much more attention and accolades? Noteworthy neighbor: EindhovenLess than 60 miles away and across the Dutch border lies the neat, tidy city of Eindhoven. It is everything that you’d expect from The Netherlands: no-nonsense, efficient, and of course, made for bikers.There’s nothing new to say about Eindhoven that hasn’t already been said about Amsterdam or Utrecht. Bike lanes are everywhere, facilities are top-quality, people are happy when they ride, etc, etc.It can be argued that The Netherlands has partly influenced Belgium's bicycling culture. Whilst we can’t confirm nor deny this, it’s still worth noting. We’d recommend visiting both countries and the proximally close cities of Antwerp and Eindhoven to compare the two yourself. Both are within a half-day’s ride of the other.Berlin - German TenacityBerlin has a fierce bicyclist population. With an 18% modal share and nearly 700 bikes per 1000 residents, people like to ride their bikes in this town, whether to work, the nearest vegan bistro, or a late-night disco.But what’s holding Berlin back is often the city itself. Insistence on developing roads for vehicular traffic and placing bikers second makes for a hobbled bike network. In addition, lofty initiatives, like the much-needed Volksentscheid Fahrrad (the bicycle referendum), can feel more full of hot air than promises.Without a doubt, Berlin is a bike-friendly city. The huge surge in cargo bikes is a testament to bicycles becoming more common and relied upon in daily life.Is it the MOST bike-friendly city in Europe? Not quite yet. To do this it needs to refocus on things that matter the most: infrastructure. Noteworthy neighbor: BremenSleepy Bremen is not often in the spotlight, at least compared to places like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg.But it trumps them all in one key area: at 25%, it has the highest modal share of any major German city. That means more people here rely upon their bikes than anywhere else in the country.Admittedly, Bremen is a smaller city and can suffer from small issues, like a lack of space and bike lanes being too narrow. But that hasn’t stopped the local government from doing more. They’re putting even more bicycle routes and even revamping entire neighborhoods as ‘bicycle districts’.These guys are taking the concept of “German innovation” and riding with it.Vienna - The Beast in the EastVienna - one of the most liveable places in the world - is finally catching up to the rest of Europe in the bicycle arena.Once a non-entity, Vienna made a name for itself for launching the first-ever cargo bike-share network in the world and plans to continue the trend with further investment in infrastructure. Thanks to its orderly and calm urban planning, Vienna could easily become a top contender with some serious effort.As is usually the case though, things happen slowly in Vienna. There’s a lot of talk about being bike-friendly but less action in reality. People want to improve infrastructure in the city but can’t seem to get around to doing it. Until then, people will continue to bike on the road with cars.Once Vienna can nail the basics, the sky’s the limit. Noteworthy neighbor: Ljubljana Credit: rhobinnThe only “true” European city to make it on this list is the small, unassuming city of Ljubljana, the capital of equally unassuming Slovenia.Ljubljana is a very eco-conscious city - after all, it was voted “Greenest in Europe” in 2016 - and the bicycle plays a very important role in this. The city got a head start when it started building its bike infrastructure in the 70s, but has since stymied a bit. Modal share in the city still remains less than 15%.Ljubljana does have some infrastructure gaps and, ultimately, it’s a small town competing with big European players. But all things considered, Ljubljana is still doing very well for itself and its biking residents.Milan - Bringing Italy into the FutureHistorically, Italy has lagged behind the rest of the continent when it comes to bike-friendliness. And who’s surprised either? Have you ever tried to bike side-by-side with the crazy drivers in Rome or Naples?That is not to say people - both civilian and governmental - are not trying to change things. Initiatives, like huge tax credits for electric bike owners and the half a billion euro investment in bike tourism, are promising signs.No Italian city is more serious about being the next best place to bike in Europe than Milan. With eyes on reaching 20% modal share for bikes and installing over 450 miles of bike path in the near future, the business capital of Italy means business. It’s all a part of Milan’s new eco-conscious post-pandemic attitude.Granted, Milan still has a ways to go before it can compete with other major European cities. Its goals are set for a reasonable date of 2035. Until then though, Milan will just have to settle for being the most bike-friendly city in Italy. Noteworthy neighbor: BolognaMany Italians exclaim that Bologna is the perfect place to own a bike. A liberal population, flat terrain, and a city center devoid of vehicular traffic all make it seem like a potential biker’s paradise.And did we mention the amazing incentives, like free beer and gelato, that the local agencies are offering to encourage more people to bike?Despite appearances, Bologna still remains absent from any sort of “most friendly-bike cities in Europe” (this list notwithstanding). Chalk it up to a cultural affinity to cars, under-developed infrastructure, or just a lack of safety, but Bologna isn’t there yet in actuality.We included Bologna here because we believe it has serious potential, but more so because it’s so close to actually having it. Bologna just needs a little more TLC from the local government and reform from residents in order to become its best self.Barcelona - The Sunnyside of the ContinentLike Italy, the Iberian peninsula isn’t known for a strong biking culture, for one reason or another.Bucking the trend though is everyone’s favorite holiday getaway: Barcelona.Faced with a surge of motorized vehicles and crippling congestion, the Catalan government saw biking as a way out. In an effort to curb traffic - which is the worst in Spain - Barcelona expanded its bike network whilst simultaneously “calming” its roadways (mostly via urban speed limits).The result is a completely different city. A few decades ago, there were hardly any bikes in Barcelona; now it hosts once the world’s most efficient bike-share networks.As the city makes the network more accessible to residents, by using “super blocks”, Barcelona stands to become one of the most bike-friendly cities in all Europe. Noteworthy neighbor: SevilleSeville was - and still is - a big success story in the European cycling world. Seemingly overnight, it went from a town with almost zero regular bikers to have a modal share of almost 6%. Whilst that number might seem modest, it’s a testament to how much progress can be made through sheer will.Granted, Seville has lost a lot of steam, and it doesn’t have the infrastructure or bike culture behind it that cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen do. But if it has serious intentions and backing from the local government, it can continue to be an inspiration.Its effect has already been noticed for that matter - Andalusia wants to use Seville as a model for effective bike networking on a larger scale across the entire region.Wrapping UpThere you have them: the 18 most bike-friendly cities in all of Europe. These are the cream of the crop, the smoothest rides on the continent, and the best place to go if you're a cycle-fiend.Traveling with a bike is a TON of fun. Do so in any of the cities mentioned above and you're sure to have an amazing experience.Do you a favorite European city to bike in? Let us know in the comment section what it is and why you like it so much!

Freedom is feeling unrestricted, of not depending on something or someone.At Linky Innovation we like to see freedom as an energy that speaks to us of a different way of living, of a new man, who seeks freedom every single day, hour, and instant, like a flower pursuing the light.A freedom that is above all a mental state, a condition that can be summed up in the possibility we give ourselves every day to discover a new side of ourselves, without judgment, insecurity, and preconceptions guiding our actions.Often, today, the most common forms of slavery are self-induced and without real chains. Slavery is hidden in vices, habits, appearances...Freedom is a pleasant feeling that we would all like to experience in every action we take: from choosing how to dress without being afraid of the judgments of others, to being able to express our opinions or to move freely from one place to another.Every day we move to get to work or to meet friends. How many times have you experienced commuting as a stressful and unpleasant experience, because of external factors such as traffic, or the deficits of public transport in the city where you live? Having to wait for a bus that never arrives, driving hours to find a parking space, and so on.What could you do with that time? Maybe spend it with friends, loved ones, or on the couch reading a book.Urban FreedomWhen we talk about the freedom of being able to move around the city we need to mention the concept of micro-mobility, a new and very often used term to define the freedom to travel small distances.Short-distance travel can be made fun, affordable, and convenient again.Short trips are the most common ones, and with micro-mobility, you can make them more enjoyable. We can enjoy the freedom to take a walk around town without restrictions.Imagine for a moment: instead of waiting for a crowded bus to get to your place of work, you could use a folding bike or a Linky, thus becoming more autonomous and independent. Or you could leave your car outside the city center where it's easier to park and then you could reach your destination on an electric skateboard, making those few miles an opportunity to have fun.Using green and personal vehicles means an increase in personal freedom, generating a sense of well-being and serenity that affects us and those around us.If more people ditched or reduced car use at least for short trips, our cities would have more space for green areas, and we very well know how much being in touch with nature has a positive impact on our mental health.How we imagine the cities of the futureDuring the long lockdown periods due to the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the habits assumed by many people living in cities has been an increased frequentation of urban green spaces. The sound of trees in the wind, the smell of nature, and even the rain on our faces became restorative moments during a time of restrictions that drastically affected our daily lives... These moments made us realize how important green and public spaces are for our mental and physical well-being. However, we also realized that the accessibility and availability of adequate green and public spaces are poor in most of our cities. Urban areas are not always as pleasant as we would like them to be.Cities provide access to hospital and healthcare infrastructure that treats and improves our lives, but at the same time, the urban environment exposes us to risks that negatively impact our health: air pollution, traffic, stress, loneliness, and isolation.A green, walkable city is hardly a new or revolutionary idea, but the pandemic has made this need more evident than ever. For the first time, globally, we have rediscovered our innate tendency to seek a connection with nature and collectively expatiate on the feelings of well-being we experience when surrounded by natural environments.The challenge, for us at Linky Innovation, is to develop and implement solutions that allow people to feel free, to be able to enjoy as much as possible every moment of their day, from going to work, shopping, or meeting with loved ones, improving the overall well-being of the planet that hosts us.Change is a phenomenon that happens gradually, but there has to be a beginning. Your choice today will contribute to a more sustainable, respectful, peaceful future for us and the generations to come.

Share your perspective about how riding changes the way you experience the city.Read about stories from our riders or contribute your own story for a chance to be featured. We would love to hear from you?The first story we want to tell is about Alessandro.Alessandro, Rider of the MonthAlessandro is a 24-year-old student of economics at the University of Cremona, Italy.He uses his Ezy e-bike to do many activities in the city.I use my Ezy first thing in the morning to get to my university, to go to the gym which is on the opposite side of the city, to go to the supermarket, and also to discover hidden places of Cremona.When I’m feeling a bit lethargic or restless, biking around town gives me a positive mindset. The benefits of exercise are far and wide and getting a regular boost of endorphins and serotonin is great for when I need to focus on my studying. Focusing on the road while cycling helps ease feelings of stress and anxiety while helping clear my mind of mental chatter.Riding improve your Mental HealthWhen I get overstressed by the preparation of an exam, I take the bike and I go for an easy ride alongside the Po River. It’s a way to slow down my day, get rid of the stress, and embrace the present moment.I feel the breeze of fresh air on my face, focus my attention on the beauty that surrounds me and I forget of the colossal amount of study I have to do. Riding my bike is a way to recharge my energy, to feel grounded, and only then I can go back to work in a more relaxed way.Cycling helps reduce congestion and is a healthy and affordable mode of transport for the younger generation. Enabling students to dodge the speeding cars, avoid long waits at bus stops, and save money! You can travel between classes and charge your portable battery as you go. If you live in a dorm room, you can even choose a folding electric bike, which can be put into storage for convenient living. In certain cities, many attractions may be just outside of walking distance, which makes electric bikes all the handier.Usually, I commute along the river, surrounded by trees and the sounds of birds, arriving at the university happy and full of energy, and the same when I come home. I've lost weight too and it has improved my physical and mental health. I don't waste time in endless traffic jams. Sometimes I take a detour in the city center so I can discover hidden parts of the town. "It has really been a transformation for the better.  It's great to commute like that. Best thing I've bought in years". 

The current condition of the environment shouldn't be news to you - it's currently in dire straights thanks to overconsumption, overpopulation, and overreliance on the burning of fossil fuels. If the human race doesn't change its ways, we could be in serious trouble.It's never too late to make a change in your life. If you care about the planet and want to do your part to help preserve it, there are ways to do so that don't require you to sell all your worldly positions and join a commune of freedom fighters.Riding an electric bike can have a massive impact on the environment, for the better. They have zero emissions in use, have a drastically smaller carbon footprint, and are a join to ride.Making a difference doesn't require a herculean amount of effort - it just requires a few life changes and an (even minor) desire to make the world a better place.Are you ready to be that change? Read on to find out more about electric bikes can benefit the environment and how much better they really are than other forms of transportation.The current situationCall it whatever you want: climate change, global warming, God turning the heaters up, doesn’t matter to us.Regardless, there is one thing that is undeniable: climate change exists. Experts state that the future of mankind is about to change radically. Some projections estimate that the average temperature of the Earth will rise 4.5 degrees Celsius in the next 40 years. That may not sound like a lot at first, but those handfuls of degrees entail HUGE ramifications. Rising ocean levels, increasingly extreme weather, and hotter temps translate to drought, famine, collapsing power grids, and uninhabitable environments.But it is not within the scope of this article to prove the validity of climate change or to discuss every single detail. This is an enormous subject and (we’re guessing) you’re here because you already understand the seriousness of the situation to some degree.Rather than get bogged down in the nitty-gritty, we’re instead going to discuss what we can do to help to mitigate climate change right now.What causes climate change?Of all the things that contribute to climate change, transportation is unequivocally the worst. According to Our World in Data, over 20% of all CO2 emissions come from this sector. It includes air travel, constant shipping, and, most serious of all, driving cars too much. If you want to limit your impact on climate change, you need to reassess how you get around and how much you use your car. Simply put: drive less.But that’s easier said than done: cars, after all, are so convenient and, sometimes, so ingrained in society.So what do you do instead? What is the best alternative to driving?Why you should use an electric bike to curb climate changeElectric bikes are creating a revolution. Thanks to the inclusion of a motor and battery - referred to collectively as the ‘drive system’ - obstacles that once challenged riders are now becoming much less difficult. With an electric bike, people are able to go further, for longer, and with much less effort.The benefits of using an electric bike are numerous. They’ve already made riding to work much more practical. Living in the city too has also become more comfortable as ebikes are cheaper to own and maintain, not to mention more convenient to use (DAMN YOU TO HELL STREET PARKING) than owning a car.For the first time in the history of modern transportation, the car is being challenged as a means of personal transport. Ebikes offer enough now to make them a serious contender.10 environmental impacts of electric bikesBut what are the environmental impacts of electric bikes, especially when compared to automobiles and regular bikes? How will riding an electric bike help to limit climate change?Let’s go over a list of reasons why electric bikes are better for than environment. Here are ten:1. Zero emissionsSince electric bikes don’t use ANY kind of fuel while being used - rather relying on a battery - they create ZERO emissions. This leads to less overall air pollution, fewer greenhouse gases, and fewer particulates in the air. Your immune system will be happier and so will the atmosphere. Everyone wins.If you’d like to know the difference in emissions between cars vs electric bikes, we provide some numbers in a later section.2. Less reliance on transport that uses fossil fuelsWith the rise of electric bikes, so too comes the decline of motorized vehicles. More people are opting to ride rather than drive and, in doing so, less fossil fuel is being consumed. This goes beyond commuting or running errands with your ebike as well - traveling with an ebike means you don’t have to rent a car or use taxis elsewhere either.3. Tough, long-lasting batteriesElectric bikes can last a long time if you treat them right. The one thing that usually goes first, which also happens to be the thing with the largest carbon footprint, is the battery. By choosing an ebike with a robust battery and taking care of it, you can reduce your carbon footprint further.Remember: the key to a sustainable lifestyle is to cut down on consumption and that includes replacing your bike battery too frequently.4. Off-peak chargingMany people prefer charging at off-peak hours because it’s cheaper. But charging your electric bike during off-peak hours can also impact the environment in a positive way as well.As electric-based transportation increases, so to will the demand for electricity. If everyone wants to charge at once, more electricity will need to be generated as well.Rather than straining the system, why not charge your bike at off-peak times when renewables energy sources are most active? At these times, there’s plenty of energy to be had and extra production isn’t required to meet demands.It can be tricky to figure when off-peak hours are because there are a bunch of factors to consider, such as the local climate. Here’s a handy guide to get you started though.5. Energy efficientEngines that use fossil fuels are notoriously bad at harnessing energy - only 20-30% is actually used to move the wheels. Electric motors, which include electric cars and bikes, are much better at using energy - they harness around 80-90% of the stored energy.Electric bikes only use on average 1.02 kWh per 100 driving miles (source), which is around 150 watts/hour for the average biker. To put that into perspective, that’s less power used by a washing machine or LCD TV per hour. Yes, your electric bike is more efficient than a household appliance, and you ride that thing to work for god’s sake.In short, electric bikes are very energy efficient, much more so than regular cars.6. Easily transportableThe fact that you can travel with your ebike unlocks so many doors. Rather than flying somewhere and then promptly renting a car, take the train or carpool and bring your ebike with you. Lots of gorgeous tourists destinations, such as America’s national parks or most European cities, are best experienced by bike.Do you want the most portable bike possible? Buy a foldable one!7. Easier on the roadsCars, especially larger ones, can really mess up the roads. Constant traffic and assholes who forget to remove their winter chains result in torn, rutted, and overall ruined streets. These obviously need to be repaired, which requires construction work and a team of repairmen. All this extra work creates extra emissions. We could avoid doing this if we took better care of the roads.Thanks to their drastically lighter weight, ebikes are much easier on the roads and hardly ever damage it. They create a lot less congestion as well.Who knows too: in the not-so-distant future where cars are finally the minority, the surface area of roads might be reduced as well, and (fun fact) paved roads might be just as polluting as the cars themselves.8. Healthier humansRiding an electric bike is not only better for the roads, but also for ourselves. Riding increases cardiovascular output, reduces the chance of fatal disease, and leads to an overall increase in the quality of life. That means more time living your life and less time in the doctor’s office, whose own carbon footprint can be enormous sometimes. Fewer people at the hospital result in fewer resources consumed.Seriously, if the positive environmental impacts of electric bike riding weren’t already enough, the health benefits should be convincing enough.9. More sustainableBecause electric bicycles run mostly on the power grid, they can tap into clean energy sources. This includes wind, solar, and hydroelectric energy production. Some people can even cut out the middleman and charge their ebike using their own solar panels or other green energy sources. All of this leads to a much more sustainable mode of transportation and only enhances the potential environmental impacts of ebikes.10. Smaller carbon footprintChoosing to bike rather than drive reduces your carbon footprint (total CO2 emissions) by 84% according to Science Daily. That’s a drastic difference! Granted, there could be some unavoidable carbon emissions when using an ebike, but with a little extra knowledge and good habits, you can reduce this even further.Ebikes vs cars vs regular bikesEvery form of transport has its pros and cons. Cars can still be convincingly useful sometimes (drive electric cars at least) and even electric bike production can have a (slightly) negative impact on the environment.To better understand the topic of carbon footprints in relation to personal transport, let’s dive into each one more deeply. Here are the differences between electric bikes, regular bikes, and cars in regards to their effect on the environment.E-bikes vs cars - Emissions and the gory detailsI’ve been ranting and raving this entire time about how riding an electric bike is so much better for the environment than driving a car.But let’s talk numbers and cold, hard facts.For starters, electric bikes don’t require any sort of fossil fuel to run* - just good old human power.Meanwhile, passenger traffic accounts for 45% of all transportation emissions, which translates to 15% of global CO2 emissions.We can’t forget about the manufacturing process either. Making a car is an intensive process that requires a lot of time and effort. A host of materials need to be collected, shipped, fabricated, and assembled before a car even starts to look like a real car, and all that consumes energy. To be more specific, that energy comes from the burning of fossil fuels. The carbon footprint left by the manufacture of certain cars can actually rival the footprint left from driving.Driving as well as making cars results in a huge amount of emitted greenhouse gases.The carbon footprint of an electric bike is not nearly as large because they require fewer materials, are less intensive to construct, and don’t burn fossil fuels while being used.Ultimately,  riding an electric bike produces about 20 kg of carbon every 1000 miles ridden while a car produces almost 470 kg. That’s a whopping 2200% difference. Talk about a real game-changer.*In calculating the carbon footprint for electric bikes, we still need to consider the fossil fuel used to create electricity as well as the energy we need to function i.e. calories. These do increase the overall footprint of ebikes but we’ll get into these more in a moment. Electric bikes vs electric carsSome diehard drivers, clinging to their steering wheels until the bitter end, might go so far as to say that electric cars emit fewer enough emissions to be justifiably “good” for the environment.But studies show that even lowered emissions offered by these electric vehicles pale in comparison to those of electric bikes. This is because, despite the fact that electric cars rely more on electricity to run, the materials and means needed to make them still results in an unreasonably large carbon footprint.Truly, the way to achieve net-zero emissions and true sustainability is via cycling.Ebikes vs regular bikes - The key is in the caloriesThere is a serious argument to be had against electric bikes when we compare them to regular bikes and it’s worth bringing up.The question is: since electronic bikes use more electronics, which generally require more energy to produce, shouldn’t they have a larger carbon footprint?The answer seems obvious: regular bikes should result in fewer emissions and thus have a greater environmental impact than electric bikes, right?But in reality, it’s not so much the case. Sure, electric bikes have more complex parts that require more energy to produce but they make up for this in other places.The important thing to take note of is calories. Yes, those calories make all the difference when it comes to assessing the carbon footprints of regular bikes and electric bikes.Since regular bikes offer little if anything in the way of assistance, they require more physical exertion. More exertion in turn requires more calories - calories that need to be consumed in order to be burned first. Those calories don’t just come from anywhere either (would be great if we humans recharged via photosynthesis): they come from eating food.Along with transportation, the food industry is one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gases. As you eat more to have the energy to ride, your carbon footprint expands, so much that it actually rivals that of an electric bike. This study says as much.Thanks to the extra assistance provided, ebike riders require fewer calories than regular riders and in doing so both have very similar carbon footprints. Remember that the next time your hipster friend gloats about how his fixie is better for the environment than your hi-tech ebike.Limiting the carbon footprint of your electric bike even moreWant to make an even BIGGER environmental impact with your electric bike? Here are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint even more: Ride your ebike correctly - Doing so will help to conserve energy and not waste it unnecessarily. That goes for not just the battery, but yourself as well. Take care of your bike battery - Improper care can lead to bike batteries failing earlier and what they call “vampire energy”, which is basically when the charger sucks energy from the outlet even when not in use. Conserve the battery by storing it in a temperate place, don’t leave it plugged when it isn’t necessary, and unplug the charger when you don’t need it. Dispose of your ebike battery in the proper way - Most ebikes use lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in other electronics like laptops and phones. Don’t throw them in the common garbage, rather use a proper battery disposal service. They’ll process them in an environmentally friendly way. Use your own renewable energy source - Don’t trust where your local electricity is coming from? (A lot of it could be generated from coal in fact.) Start making your own then! Install some solar panels or even a wind turbine and be your own green energy producer. You can sell the excess energy back to the city even. Charge at off-peak hours - Charge during these periods of the day to avoid over-taxing the power grid and you’ll save some money in the process as well. Plan your route - Doing so will ensure that you’re not wasting energy on pointless riding. You might also be able to skip unnecessary hills, which require more work from the drive system and aren’t very nice to climb anyway. Choose a lighter bike - This plays a major part in the amount of energy consumed. The heavier the bike, the harder the engine needs to work. Try and buy an ebike that is as light as possible (without compromising safety or functionality). Be aware of your caloric intake - This isn’t tied so much to cycling but reducing your caloric intake and eating less overall can reduce your personal carbon footprint. Are you ready to make a change?The writing’s on the wall: if we as a species don’t shape up and change our ways, our consumptive behavior is going to end up causing irreparable damage to the planet. Unless we suddenly crack Einstein’s theories and can travel faster than the speed of light, we’ve only got one planet to live on. And I highly doubt that the first option is going to happen anytime soon.We HAVE to make a change and start cutting back on our emissions. Drive less, use fewer fossil fuels, consume less energy in general.But that doesn’t mean we have to return to some primitive state and start riding horses again (how cool would that be though). We’re living in a technological society and we ought to use that technology as best we can.Electric bikes are the answer to many of the dilemmas caused by climate change. They are efficient, sustainable, and a legitimate mode of transportation that can seriously benefit not only society but the planet. Switching to a predominant ebike lifestyle can reduce one’s carbon footprint by up to 85% and could reduce CO2 emissions by literal tons every year.If you’re looking to make a serious impact on the environment, electric bikes are where you need to be looking. They’re the future of transportation and the future is now.Bike more. Drive less. Save the environment.

Electric bikes are becoming more and more popular these days. They’re super convenient as a means of transport and are easy to use.But there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding electric bikes. Lots of people think that they are some advanced piece of equipment - something closer to a scooter or moped - that requires additional skill or paperwork to use.The truth is: electric bikes are not so different compared to regular bikes. Both behave in very similar ways and if you already know how to ride a regular bike, an electric one will feel instantly familiar.There are some key differences between electric bikes and regular bikes that do need to be considered - differences that will influence your buying decision.This article compares ebikes to conventional bikes and covers how they differ. We’ll cover a range of topics from mechanics to health benefits, ethics, and more. For those who are interested in buying an ebike but are not quite sold yet, this post is for you.So let’s see what the differences are.What is an Ebike?An electric bicycle, or “ebike”, is a type of bicycle that is equipped with an electric motor, battery, and (usually) a display. Collectively, these are referred to together as an electrical drive system. Ebikes function very similarly to conventional bikes in that they require the user to ride, pedal, and brake as needed.Most ebikes still require the rider to still peddle (these are called “pedelecs”) albeit with assistance from the motor. Some ebikes don’t require the rider to pedal though and instead have a throttle similar to an electric moped or scooter.The biggest difference between electric bikes and regular bikes is that the former are easier to accelerate and require less effort to ride. The motor helps propel the rider forward and provides additional assistance on otherwise difficult terrain, most notably on those dreaded hills.Because of their added convenience, electric bikes have become very popular in recent years. Sales rose by 145% in 2020 alone in the USA. In particular, morning commuters, sick of the endless traffic jams and costs of owning a car, are turning to ebikes to get to work.Breakdown: How is an electric bike different than a regular bike?Most people interested in buying an electric bike will have already owned or ridden a normal one. (For those who haven’t ridden a bike before, good news: you CAN ride an electric bike if you don't know how to ride regular bikes!)So how exactly does an electric bike compare to a normal bike? Is one easier to ride than the other? What are the actual benefits of riding an electric bike compared to their predecessors?Let’ get down to brass tacks and find out how these two compare to one another.Construction and partsBy all appearances, electric bikes look pretty much the exact same as regular bikes. They have a frame, two wheels, a seat, gears, and many of the same accessories.Electric bikes possess three crucial parts in addition: A battery A motor A display (sometimes) The battery is mounted to the frame in some way and is often either removable. We find that the removable variety is always more convenient, which is why we made sure all Linky bikes have removable batteries.The motor is found either on one of the wheels (referred to as hub-drive) or in the middle of the frame (referred to as mid-drive). Ebikes with hub-drives look very similar to normal bikes - as they’re essentially gearboxes - but weigh more. Electric bikes with mid-drive motors will appear a bit bulkier than regular bikes will be lighter than those with hub-drives.The display is used to control the electrical parts. You can select different riding modes and alter the amount of assistance the ebike provides. In terms of looks, one may not notice much of a difference as an increasing number of regular bikes also include some sort of screen these days.These extra parts do make electric bikes heavier than regular bikes. The difference can be anywhere from 10-20 pounds depending on which kind of ebike you have. This weight is not so much of an issue though when you’re riding, thanks to pedal assistance; it’s more noticeable when you’re trying to transport the bike itself.If you’re a purist or someone that wants to go ultralight, you may find that a conventional road bike will be better than an electric bike.SpeedLet’s dispel one big misconception about electric bikes right off the bat: electric bikes are no more capable of achieving high speeds than regular bikes. If two riders, one with an ebike and one with a normal bike, were to start at the top of a steep hill and then take off, they would eventually reach similar speeds.Electric bikes do not allow you to go faster than regular bikes necessarily; they allow you to go faster more easily.The electric bike motor is dependent on the rider. Outside of Class 2 bikes, it will not work unless someone is pedaling and will cut out once the rider has reached a certain speed. Depending on the bike, most motors will work until speeds have reached 15-20 mph (25-30 kms/hour).Beyond these speeds, it’s all human power after that.The beautiful benefit of an ebike is that it will allow you to reach these speeds much quicker and easier than before. On a regular bike, you might have to put some real effort into pedaling before you could hit 20 mph (or hope for a big downhill).With an ebike though, you’ll barely break a sweat as the motor is there to help.Ebikes are best for those who want to up their biking game without devoting athlete-like commitments. Bike tours, daily commutes, trail riding all become vastly easier and much more accessible thanks to electric power. The mere fact that you can bike to work without becoming a puddle of sweat makes electric bikes way better for commuting than regular bikes.Rider ExperienceWhat’s it like to ride an electric bike? Scary? Exhilarating? Perhaps familiar?For the most part, riding an electric bike is just like riding a regular bike: you mount it, pedal it, steer it, brake it, park it, and so on. The two feel so similar that you will most likely be able to ride an electric bike immediately if you already know how to ride a regular one!But there are some very subtle differences between riding both kinds of bicycles.For one thing, electric bikes have a motor that kicks in usually when you start pedaling. Modern ebike motors are so subtle though that you will barely notice the transition from manual power to assisted power.When it comes to pedaling, you may yourself using a faster cadence on an ebike. This is good for the battery as the additional revolutions will help keep the battery charged.You’ll also need to be a bit more aware of your posture when riding an ebike. You’ll want to avoid leaving the sitting position and jamming down on the pedals like you would with a normal bike on difficult terrain. Doing so will cause the bike to sway and this can cause the internal sensors to get confused. Better to just sit back, relax, and let the motor do the work.Really, the big difference is that you’ll hardly notice those usually tricky bits of road. Hills, long distances, wind, the things that bikers normally dread will be conquered with ease.MaintenanceWhen it comes to the standard components - the parts that both electric and regular bikes share - maintenance and repairs will be practically the same. You can still change a flat tire, adjust the brakes, etc as easily with an electric bike as with a normal bike. When in doubt, bike shops will always be able to help.The biggest difference in maintaining the two occurs when the ebike’s electric components need to be looked at. In these cases, you’ll want to take the bike to a specialist.Luckily, electric failures are rare - rarer than your usual bike problems -  and usually, there is some kind of warranty provided by the manufacturer.With proper care, you can keep your ebike in a good condition and out of the shop for years. An ebike battery, cared for and used properly, can last upwards of 4-5 years before needing to be replaced!Health and ExerciseOne of the most persistent arguments for owning a regular bike vs an electric bike is that a regular bike allows for a better workout. A lot of (misguided) individuals think that riding an electric bike is cheating in some way, that is they’re not exercising very much thanks to the pedal assist.Whilst it is undeniable that electric bikes require less physical exertion and conditioning, that doesn’t mean electric bikes are cheating. The truth is, you CAN exercise while riding an electric bike and reap all of the health benefits that riding a regular one might allow.Compared to a normal bicyclist, the average ebike rider burns 25% fewer calories. But when you consider that electric bicyclists on average ride for longer distances - 50% more according to this study - the difference between calories burned is narrower.Other studies confirm that riding an electric bicycle is still a great way to improve one’s overall health. Risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and many other forms of premature mortality are all lower among those who ride electric bikes.Let’s be honest: riding a regular bike up a hill will definitely give a better workout than an electric bike. But for most people, this kind of exercise is overkill. Simply riding your bike 10-15 miles every day is more than enough to improve overall health and feel good physically.Laws and regulationsWhilst it’s true that electric bikes do come with a bit more red tape than regular bikes, the amount isn’t discouragingly more. Outside of a few special cases, you shouldn’t be hassled at all to use your ebike.Different countries and different regions have their own local ebike rules. In Europe for example, the speed limit for ebikes is 25 kilometers per hour. In the USA, the speed limit for standard ebikes is 20 miles per hour. Class 3 bikes can go 28 miles per hour but they’ll have to remain in the road and not in bike lanes.You will need to consult local ebike laws before using one. That being said, the things you will need to consider are usually straightforward. Consider the following: Do you need a license to ride your electric bike? Do you need to be a certain age to ride an electric bike? What is the speed limit for riding an electric bike? Taxes, mandatory insurance, and registration are almost never an issue.Find the answers to these questions before riding. Once you do, you should be able to ride your electric bike anywhere you could ride a normal bike.CostsIn the debate of electric bikes vs regular bikes, there is no disputing that regular bikes are often cheaper than electric bikes. The main reason for this is that electric bikes have more components and more advanced ones at that too.A good electric bike will cost a minimum of $1500. You can certainly find cheaper models out there but they are low-quality, disposable pieces of junk.A good road bike (the non-electric kind) can cost as low as $500.Despite the disparity of costs between regular bikes and electric bikes, many would consider the electric bike a better investment. This is for several reasons: Electric bikes are a more practical replacement for motorized vehicles. Electric bikes are much cheaper than motorized vehicles. An electric bike can be used in more situations than a normal bike. When it comes to maintenance, the difference between electric bikes and regular bikes is negligible. Standard repairs, such as flat tires, tubes, and adjustments, will be close to the same. Replacing the battery will be the priciest cost but with proper care, it can last a long time.So whist an electric bike will cost more than a normal bike, consider whether or not the additional benefits of the electric bike justify the costs. This is a personal decision based upon what you will use the bike for, but we personally think they’re worth it.EthicsConventional wisdom tells us that regular bikes must be much better for the environment than electric bikes because they have a lower carbon footprint. Because they lack the electrical components, which require more energy to create, they must be more eco-friendly, right?Actually, studies have shown that the carbon footprints produced by electric and regular bicyclists are not so different. The key lies in when the energy is consumed and by whom.Without a doubt, the energy required to produce an electric bike is greater. The batteries, in particular, are difficult to make and require some dangerous materials.But once the electric bike leaves the factory, the tables turn.Because electric bikes require less physical exertion from the rider, fewer calories are consumed (over equal distances). Fewer calories consumed means less caloric intake and food is needed for replenishment. This is a crucial point.Eating and burning calories actually result in a large carbon footprint. In fact, the food production industry as a whole produces one of the largest footprints in modern society. There is no clear winner in the race for which is more environmentally friendly; ebikes and regular bikes are neck-and-neck. Although it can be argued that ebikes are more beneficial because people who own them are more likely to abandon their cars, in the grand scheme, having either a normal bike or an electric one is still a great step in the right direction.SafetyThere are some additional safety issues to consider when riding an electric bicycle. Most of these apply to novice riders who are unaccustomed to riding at higher speeds.When you’re riding at higher speeds, you must be much more aware of your surroundings. If you plan on joining traffic, you must be doubly aware as bicycle-car collisions are a serious issue.Most serious bikers who are accustomed to riding at high speeds are already aware of these potential dangers. They know what to do to keep themselves safe.But newbies riding electric bikes may not be so aware and could potentially be over their heads. This study from Slovenia says as much: when new riders start hitting high speeds, they could end up in a dangerous situation. Ebike riders are particularly at risk since they can reach higher speeds more easily.When riding an electric bicycle for the first time, you must be aware of your newfound capabilities. Follow the rules of the road and be a defensive rider: don’t go too fast too quickly and don’t forget to keep that head on a swivel.One last consideration regarding safety is theft. Whilst the proportion of ebike theft compared to regular bike theft is not 100% known, it’s safe to say that more expensive bikes - i.e. ebikes - are just as if not more prone to be stolen.Ebikes require a little extra security. In addition to locking just like a normal bike, you will also need to lock up the battery and remove the screen. The battery is the most expensive part of the ebike and if it’s already removable, potential thieves have an easy job ahead of themselves.Advantages and disadvantages of electric bikesPros Easier to achieve and maintain higher speeds Handles hills and more varied terrain with less effort More practical replacement to cars than normal bikes Longer distances, including commutes, are more manageable Electric drive system hardly noticeable in action Just as environmentally friendly as regular bikes Evens the playing field for all riders Cons More expensive than regular bikes Heavy, bulky at times Some additional rules and regulations to be considered Batteries can be expensive More prone to theft given value Novice riders must be cognizant of higher speeds and safety implications Should I get an electric bike?The answer should be simple: if you are willing to spend the money and are in need of a more sustainable, reliable form of transportation, then yes: buy an ebike! They’re easy to use, environmentally friendly, and above all else, very useful.Let’s be frank though: only buy an electric bike if you intend on using it. This isn’t a toy that you pull out of the shed every once in a while to go on a joyride. This is a serious (and sometimes pricey) form of personal transport that you can get a lot of use out of. They’re so useful that they’ve become serious contenders with regular cars!Also, consider to yourself what you’ll actually be using the ebike for. Like regular bikes, there are many different types of electric bikes serving many different functions.For example, if you’re a commuter, you may find that an electric bike is better than a road bike because you work and sweat less. If you’re a mountain biker, having an eMTB can give you that extra punch on gnarly hills.If you’re just looking for something to ride casually around the neighborhood, then buy a regular bike.But if you’re in need of something more, be it for work or personal use, you can’t go wrong with an ebike. Try one next chance you get!

Picture this: it’s 8:30 in the morning and you’re sitting in your car on your way to work. You have your thermos of coffee - world’s greatest dad written on it - and are tuned to the traffic report on the radio. Sounds like there was a big accident up ahead and you’re going to be late for work. Just then out of the corner of your eye a biker zooms past you at speeds you didn’t think possible before. What on earth was that?Electric bikes are quickly becoming one of the most popular means of commuting to and from work and for good reason: they’re fast, efficient, good for your wallet, and better for your health. Simply riding a bike to work can save you thousands of dollars a year and drastically increase the quality of your life.But exactly are the pros and cons and biking to work? Do the benefits outweigh the potential pitfalls?We think absolutely yes: cycling to work is the best way to go.Below you will find our top reasons for why you should bike to work and how they are beneficial. By the end of this article, we hope that you will be more than convinced to ditch the car and join the electric bike movement.Let’s get to it!1. CheaperThe cost of owning and maintaining a car can be ridiculous sometimes. Between insurance, gas, maintenance, and other miscellaneous expenses, owning a car can cost up to $8,500 per year in the US and 5750 GBP in the UK (source: NerdWallet). And we’re not even including the cost of buying the thing in the first place!The costs of owning and maintaining an electric bike are much, much less than a car. Aside from the initial costs of buying the bike (usually around $1200-$2000) you just have to worry about the costs of charging the battery, the occasional tuneup, and possibly insurance.Whilst electricity prices vary around the world, even the largest battery should cost less than $0.30 per charge. If the range of your ebike is 50 miles/charge, that’s around $5-$6 in total to ride a thousand miles. If you should need some sort of maintenance along the way, most repairs, be it a flat tire, brake adjustment, or new tubes, should cost no more than $30.How much it costs to own an ebike really comes down to how and how much you use it. Even if someone uses it constantly though, it would take years to spend $8,500 on costs, rather than one year like owning a car does.2. HealthierOf course one of the greatest benefits of biking to work is that it’s better for your health. Rather than just sitting in a car and sipping your morning coffee, cycling actually requires activity. This increased activity, which is really exercise in some form, leads to numerous health benefits both short and long term.In the short term, riding is good for fitness, your moods, and losing weight. Whilst the average ebiker burns 25% fewer calories than a conventional cyclist, they still burn up to 450 calories an hour.When we look at the long-term health benefits of biking to work, things look even better. According to this study, the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and many other forms of premature mortality were all lower. So cycling not only makes your quality of life better but longer.3. Better for the environmentThe environmental impacts of using electric bikes are, in every way, better than using a car. Bikes, both electric and conventional, consume much, much less energy when in use and lead to overall less CO2 emitted. An electric bike produces 20 kg of carbon every 1000 miles ridden while a car produces almost 470 kg - 2200% more than the electric bike.In terms of air pollution, bicycles emit practically nothing in terms of noxious, dangerous fumes, just so long as they aren’t gas-powered.Bikes don’t produce any noise pollution either unless you consider the symphony of a thousand bike bells to be terrible (why would you?!)4. Benefit from government schemesMany governments have (finally) caught onto the benefits of biking to work and are starting to promote it. Many are even offering lucrative incentives to commuters and big tax breaks.Cycle to Work schemes in the UK have saved people almost 40% of the costs of commuter bicycles. In Italy, the government recently launched an initiative that will give up to 60% back on purchases if they’re considered green transport, including electric bikes. (Thanks Conte!) In the USA, a bill containing a proposed 30% tax credit on electric bikes is currently being considered.So if you’re concerned about the price of an electric bike, just look to your government for a little help! With all of the initiatives these days, you may not have to pay full price for a good electric bike.5. Contribute to the economyIt would be easy to choose the car industry as having more economic potential when compared to other modes of personal transport. After all, it is often vital to many countries’ manufacturing sectors.Interestingly enough, studies have shown that biking is actually better for local economies than driving.For one thing, the bicycle industry employs hundreds of thousands of workers in both private and civic sectors. Not only that bike tourism is also an increasingly profitable business.Cyclists too are more inclined to stop at stores and browse on the way to wherever they’re going. Meanwhile, cars were less likely to stop. So when you’re biking home and want to stop at a local market, you can and could potentially be contributing to your community doing so.6. Sometimes fasterThe average commute in the USA and UK is around thirty minutes one way, one hour in total for the day.Bikers on the other hand are only commuting 45 minutes in total per day.Ok, there are some caveats to these numbers. Bikers are only commuting about 10 miles each way whilst cars could potentially be doing more.But the fact that a biker only has to commute 10 miles and no more is saying something. Without having to worry about a car, commuting bicyclists can take more advantage of public transport and special bike lanes. They could potentially live closer to their work as well.And when you consider that in cities like London the average speed of a commuter is 14 MPH and that the average speed of a novice cyclist is 15 MPH, it seems like a waste to drive right?7. More funBiking is fun, admit it. The feeling of zooming around the streets, carving corners, jumping over curbs; there’s something exhilarating about it. I dare you to ride around for 10 minutes and not feel like a kid again!And who says you can’t enjoy your commute to work?! Even something as simple as ringing the bell or giving someone a high-five on the street can make your day. If you cycle to work and enter with a smile on your face as well, it’ll help others feel the same (smiles are contagious).Reality-check: dealing with hills while biking to work sucks. It may be one of the biggest buzzkills of all. But if you have an electric bike with some climbing power, you won’t even notice them: you’ll glide past those hills as if they were speed bumps.If you're new electric bikes, read about how to ride them and how to deal with those annoying hills.8. Reduce your carbon footprintCalculating the true carbon footprint for personal vehicles can be difficult. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as manufacturing, fuel consumption, and even diet (you need to eat to burn calories and food production has a carbon footprint as well).But as so many studies have shown: the environmental impact of bicycles is so much better than cars.In an amazing report produced by the European Cyclist Federation, they found that both conventional bikes and ebikes produced around 22 grams of CO2 per km over the course of their entire lifespan (from manufacturing to personal use). Cars, on the other hand, produced 271 grams of CO2 per km. Cars produce almost 10 times more CO2 than cars.TL;DR You want to help combat climate change and lower CO2 emissions? Buy an ebike.9. No need to worry about parkingSpeaking for myself, finding parking may be the worst part of driving in the city. Nothing is worse than driving 45 minutes in bumper-to-bumper traffic, only to have to spend another 15 minutes hunting for a free space. God forbid you can only find paid parking as well.When you bike to work though, parking is much less of a problem. Aside from the fact that you can fit more bikes than cars in a standard parking space (between 12-20 bikes per car depending on who you ask), they’re also easier to maneuver into space. If you have a foldable electric bike, then you could potentially take it inside the office with you.Wondering where to put your electric bike at work? Obviously, you’ll want to park it somewhere near an outlet and lock it up as usual. If, on the other hand, your ebike features a removable battery you can park it wherever you might park a normal bike and then take the battery inside with you. All of our ebikes feature removable batteries themselves.10. More freedomRobert M. Pirsig who wrote the amazing Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance said this about car drivers:“Something about the car drivers too...they all look like they're in a funeral procession...” and that “They seem to be thinking about where they want to be rather than where they are.”In summary: it’s boring behind the wheel of a car, especially when you’re commuting. You’re just sitting down, not moving, shut inside, and wishing you were something else.When you ride your bike to work, many of those aforementioned pitfalls are avoided. At least you're active and outside interacting with the rest of the world! You hear the sounds of the city, the smells of the markets, the sights of life. If you’re the kind who commutes very early as well, nothing is better to stop the sunrise as well and nothing ruins it quicker than being stuck in your car.11. Good for mental healthBiking can have just as much of an impact on your brain as any muscle in your body. Consider the following mental health benefits cycling provides: Increased motor skill practice helps maintain cerebral white matter, which helps the brain communicate with itself. Biking helps sustain healthy neurons and create new ones. Anaerobic exercise helps maintain healthy blood flow of which the brain needs to function. More blood to the brain means increased mental agility. So if you bike to work, you should be more than prepared for anything your boss throws at you that day and happy to do so.12. Better use of your timeThink that you don’t have enough time in the day to exercise? Who says you can’t exercise while doing something else?Biking to work may be one of the few examples of where you can do two daily activities reasonably at once. And for the modern careerist, whose attention is increasingly split and time is increasingly valuable, being able to multitask is an amazing lifehack.Perhaps you’re the kind of person who likes to go to the gym after work: use your bike ride as a warmup! Or maybe you know you won’t have time in the evening for exercise: take a longer route in the morning and get those miles in.13. Longer, better quality of lifeWe mentioned earlier that being active on your commute resulted in lower rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer. But just how much can biking to work really benefit your longevity?According to the researcher-run website The Conversation, people who rode to work were 20% less at risk of death overall. Further, bike commuters are 25% less likely to suffer from cardiovascular problems and 15% less likely to be diagnosed with cancer.You don’t even need to cycle the entire way! If you can manage a complete 30-minute bike ride to work, more power to you. You can still reap the health benefits from 15 minutes cycling plus some other mode of transport as well, like the train or bus.14. Lower entry-level costsAccording to Kelly Blue Book, the average price of a new car is around $38,000 in the USA. In the UK, it’s 32,000 GBP (around 48,000 USD) and increasing. And we’re not even talking about all the additional costs and fees that come with owning a car as well.To buy a reliable car, you have to put a decent amount of cash on the table up-front. Sometimes, it’s just not reasonable or practical for that matter to buy a new car.A good electric bike, on the other hand, will cost around $1400, and it can be just as effective as a car for commuting, if not more. You can of course spend more - there are lots of different kinds of ebikes - and potentially make the commute even more comfortable.So would you spend $40,000 on something when there’s something else just as useful for less than a tenth of the price?15. Better start to the dayGoing to work can sometimes be difficult. We’ve all had those days where we wake up in a mental fog and then it follows us to the office.Studies have shown that exercising in the morning leads to increased cognitive agility and attention: two very important things to have at the workplace. It can be as little as 10 minutes of cardio or a full session of aerobics.As we’ve spoken about many times in this article, commuting by bike is like a mini-workout in itself. So if you’re cycling to work in the morning, you’ll arrive bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready to tackle the day.16. Join a new communityBuying an electric bicycle isn’t just financially savvy nor is it environmentally responsible; it’s also a lifestyle choice.By having an ebike, you’ll be joining thousands of others who also believe in the benefits of biking, not just to work but everywhere. Low costs, low impact, low investment, and a whole lot of fun. Cyclists know how to enjoy life to the fullest.In fact, there’s a whole movement based around the idea of commuting to work on a bike! For one week in late May, Bike to Work Week is held in both North America. This is a time to celebrate all things bicycling and to show how great biking really is, not just for ourselves but the entire community. Join the next one!17. It’s becoming safe(r)When critics list out the disadvantages of cycling to work, safety is often near the top of the list. Cars may be more expensive, more damaging to the planet, and more stressful to use at times, but at least you're protected in them. Bikers are rather more exposed during their commutes.There’s no denying that biking in urban areas can be dangerous, more so than self-driving or taking public transit.But most injuries are the result of poor biker awareness and improper infrastructure.More and more cities are installing bike lanes, not just in the US but in Europe as well. This is especially so post-COVID. And bike lanes are a proven means of preserving the safety of not only cyclists but automobile drivers as well according to a new study.As more bike lanes are installed and fellow commuters become more aware of bikers, overall safety increases.18. Weight lossThe University of Copenhagen ran a study where they compared weight loss between several groups: one was intended to cycle to work whilst several others participated in some sort of leisurely exercise.The results: over a 6-month period, those who biked to work lost on average 4.2 kgs of body mass. Compare this to the group that exercised intensely for the same period (4.6 kgs lost) and the group that exercised moderately (2.6 kgs lost) and it’s actually quite remarkable. Cycling to work is almost equivalent to practicing regular intense workouts at the gym in terms of weight loss.Wrapping UpAre there any benefits that we missed? Is there something particular that you get out of biking to work? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Dear Customers,As you already know we are constantly working to optimize Linky.We recommend not to use the Linky until it is correctly updated. Even if you don’t have an iOS phone, we advise you to borrow an iPhone from a friend so you can install that update.The latest release of the fw contains the following improvements:- torque +10%- breaking- bugs solvedIf your phone battery is below 40%, please recharge before using the APP.Here is how it works:1. Unfold Linky2. Turn-on the remote controller and wait till the blue LED blinking stops3. With your iPhone, open the Linky APP. You’ll see a notification on the main page «THERE IS A NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE». If you don't see this alerts please go into the settings --> firmware and proceed as explained below.4. Tap it and you’ll move to the firmware upgrading pageThe FIRMWARE page advises you if there is a new FW release and indicates the current release.5. To upgrade the firmware, tap the download symbol.6.The FW download will start. You will notice the page changes and shows the update status bar.7. The FW update could take several minutes (up to 25 minutes, it depends on your device). During this update, don’t fold the board, don’t turn off or use the remote control, and don’t close the app.At the end of the procedure, the firmware page says that firmware is up to date.Be aware that some skateboard releases could need to repeat the procedure twice. After the first firmware update, you’ll notice again that THERE IS A NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE. In this case, just repeat the procedure again.WARNING: Because of noisy electromagnetic interferences, it could happen that the FW upgrade fails or the status bar gets stuck too long (more than 25 minutes)This is not a problem, don’t worry. Just restart the APP and try again.In order to verify that you have the latest FW release, just go into the SETTINGS MENU and tap on FIRMWARE. If there is a new firmware release, just download it and wait for the completion, as explained above.At the end of the procedure you should see the following status:

‘What’s the best personal vehicle to commute within a city?’ That’s a question Micah Toll asked himself in a recent article on Electrek.co. Of course, the answer is different for everyone. It depends on the length of your commute, the amount of traffic you’ll have to deal with, the type of roads you’ll travel. Nonetheless, there’s a reason that electric personal vehicles are becoming more and more popular. Micah tested an electric scooter, two types of e-bikes and an electric scooter. His opinion about riding an electric skateboard to work? ‘The electric skateboard was hands down the most fun of all the personal electric vehicles I commuted on. Surfing down the street was a great way to start the day, and absolutely brought a smile to my face. How many of you can say that about your commute?’And that’s exactly one of the things we had in mind when we founded Linky: a smart and safe way to make your commute more fun! He added later in his article: ‘For convenience though, the skateboard was probably the most convenient because of how small it was. I could just carry it into a building with me once I arrived. If you had a folding skateboard like the one I reviewed here on Electrek, you could even stash it in your backpack.’ And with that last sentence he was, of course, referring to Linky, which he reviewed just a few days earlier. What did he say about our board? ‘I think the biggest judge of the quality of a product is the “are you going to use it” test. Anyone can say something nice about a product in a review, but if it’s really something good, then you’ll actually want to use it.’‘For me, Linky has definitely become my go-to electric longboard. It’s just so convenient that I have almost stopped using my other three electric skateboards completely. My electric scooter and three electric bicycles have also been getting neglected because now I usually hop on the Linky for the majority of my errands around town.’ You can read the full, extensive review on Electrek.co or you can watch his video review below.Again, preferences differ among people, but if you’re looking for something fun and convenient, Linky ticks of those boxes! At least, that’s what Micah says ;-)Photo by Electrek.co

We are all aware, to a certain extent, of the problem of limited environmental resources and how our facilities and economic and industrial methods do nothing but make things worth.There's been lots of talk by experts: Serge Latouche, French philosopher and economist, published "The Bet of the decline" in 2009, a book that can be considered a theoretical manifesto for sustainability. Pope Bergoglio has literally thundered through his encyclical "green" on the care of the “Common House” against consumption-focused production. This was echoed by Carlo Petrini, founder and president of the SlowFood movement, always a front-line fighter for the protection of the planet's environmental, gastronomic and landscape heritage.But where do we start if we want to reverse these trends? The world of green transport is definitely an important starting point to revolutionize our way of life: electric mobility can and should be a major element in this revolution.Linky is our contribution: a skateboard powered entirely by electricity, with outstanding performance on the road. Linky is poised to become an option for sustainable, green mobility, supplementing public transportation in order to make it easier to get from point A to point B without having to use polluting cars.