Lifestyle

In an era where society is more aligned with the "having mode" than ever before, the essence of living has been overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of material possessions and social validation. This cultural shift has given rise to what is termed as the "merchant character," a persona deeply ingrained in the practice of selling oneself for the highest bid, whether in careers, relationships, friendships, or even hobbies. The mantra of modern existence has become about performance and approval, a dangerous trajectory that has significantly contributed to a spectrum of psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and even schizophrenia.The "having mode," as pervasive as it is in our daily lives, focuses on acquisition and possession. It's a mode where value is attached to what we own or achieve, rather than who we are. This societal orientation not only fuels a cycle of constant comparison and competition but also distances us from the essence of true fulfillment and happiness. The implications of living in such a mode are profound, affecting our mental health and well-being in ways that are both subtle and significant.Contrastingly, the "being mode" offers a refreshing antidote to the frenetic pace of modern life. It's an approach that emphasizes living in the moment, cherishing experiences over possessions, and valuing personal growth and genuine connections over superficial achievements. In the "being mode," the focus shifts from having to being, from accumulating to experiencing. It's about finding joy in the simple pleasures of life, fostering relationships that nourish the soul, and engaging in activities that make us feel truly alive.Enter the Linky Electric Skateboard: a symbol of the "being mode" in action.Unlike traditional modes of fast commuting that prioritize efficiency over enjoyment, the Linky Electric Skateboard invites users to slow down and savor the journey. It's not just a means of transportation; it's an invitation to have fun, to smile, to enjoy the wind in your hair, and to connect with the world around you in vibrant, full colors. The Linky Electric Skateboard represents a departure from the relentless rush of daily life, offering a pathway to rediscover the joys of being truly present in the moment.Adopting the "being mode" doesn't mean rejecting ambition or the desire for personal and professional growth. Rather, it's about finding a balance where achievements are not the sole measure of worth. It's about creating a life where the pressure to constantly sell oneself is replaced with the freedom to be oneself. The Linky Electric Skateboard, in this context, is more than just a gadget; it's a metaphor for a lifestyle choice that prioritizes being over having, experience over acquisition, and genuine joy over fleeting validation.In conclusion, as society continues to gravitate towards the "having mode," it's imperative to consciously choose the "being mode" as a counterbalance. The Linky Electric Skateboard serves as a reminder that in the race to acquire and achieve, we must not lose sight of what truly makes life worth living. By embracing the "being mode," we open ourselves to a world of possibilities where happiness is derived not from what we have, but from who we are and the quality of our experiences. Let's choose to live a life in full colors, where every moment is an opportunity to be, to connect, and to truly live.

To address climate change, many of us need to reduce our "carbon footprint." But what are truly low-carbon lifestyles, and can they really be achieved through personal choices alone?Surveys show that many people want to participate in climate action, but putting low-carbon living into practice can be complicated- it can mean changing different aspects of daily life, particularly for the wealthier parts of society.In some high-emitting countries, even this may be difficult: in the United States, Canada, and Australia, for example, per capita emissions stand at 16-17 tons of CO2e per year.An Oxfam report in 2021 found that by 2030 the global average of emissions will need to stand at only 2.3 tons of CO2 per year to keep global warming below 1.5°C (the report did not cover other greenhouse gases), compared to the current average of 4.6 tons.It is very difficult to live with low carbon emissions if the products, society, and infrastructure around us are all high emitters. In fact, few would argue that people should achieve these levels by individual action alone: much of the products, infrastructure, systems, and policy decisions that influence our lives must also change to reduce emissions.However, a false dichotomy can be created in discussions of individual versus system behavior change.We need both individual and system changes: government policies, societal preferences, and consumer behavior can influence each other.Change our LifestylesAccording to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with the right policies, infrastructure, and technologies to change our lifestyles and behaviors, we can substantially reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The IPCC also states that the world must achieve net zero emissions with limited overshoot by 2050 to keep global warming below 1.5 C.In wealthier countries, this means moving to a low-carbon lifestyle for most people. But the changes to get there are not necessarily painful or even negative. For example, research has shown that good public services enable greater well-being for less energy consumption.One important change would be to change the way we get aroundA combination of public transportation and micro-mobility systems (such as electric skateboards) make it efficient and effective for people to move around. Private cars, with their huge emissions and often empty seats, would largely be a thing of the past, and parking lots would be converted into green public spaces where people go to play, relax, or exercise.The public transportation of the future will be eventually electrified and powered by renewable sources. It would be complemented by bicycling and walking and other forms of mobility that make people active, benefiting well-being and health.Food and thingsA major 2019 report on "Diet for the Health of the Planet" aimed to define the optimal diet to balance the health of people and the planet. The report recommends that meals consist of about half a plate of fruits and vegetables and plenty of legumes and nuts. Vegan and vegetarian diets can help meet these requirements, but meat and dairy products can still be incorporated. Visualizza questo post su Instagram Un post condiviso da Context News (@contextnewsroom) The Problem with StuffWe might consume more cultural experiences (think festivals, trips to the theater, or dance classes), but in terms of stuff, anything that has weight, anything that is produced with matter and energy, we should consume less of it.This is not a plan to get rid of all our electronics and clothing, but a world in which their production is based on renewable electricity and not fossil fuels, in which better quality and longer-lasting products take center stage, and in which we simply buy less of them. This also means a greater focus on repairability and recycling, rather than buying a new phone every year or so.Sandra Goldmark, director of Campus Sustainability and Climate Action at Barnard College and theater professor recommends looking for good materials design, and repairability. In her new book, Fixation, Goldmark, wrote, “Good stuff is well designed for a long life cycle, made of the right materials, has parts that are easily available and replaceable, and was produced in a socially and environmentally ethical process.”The European Union has already adopted a "right to repair" for consumer products that aims to ensure that more products are repaired within the legal warranty and to provide citizens with better options for repairing products that are technically repairable, even if they are outside the warranty. Measures like this can help begin to build a "repair economy" by requiring companies to make their products repairable and to make manuals and parts available at an affordable price.Linky Innovation supports the circular economy and it is at the heart of our business model. Linky, the foldable electric skateboard, has been designed following the Design for Disassembly (DfD) approach, a process by which the design is implemented so as to allow for easy and economically sustainable disassembly of the product at the end of its life, and the reuse and/or recycling of its most valuable components.Once the customer is finished with Linky, they can send it back to us and we can remove the damaged parts without having to throw away the entire product. This will be a game changer for reconditioning and giving the product a new life.What are the carbon-free activities you could do?You can meditate, be in nature, just stop doing things and absorb the world, smell flowers, go foraging, art, walking, cycling, gardening, or go for a skateboard ride. Listening or playing music, singing, dancing, all the things we did as kids: these are things that we had a great love of.What are your favorite carbon-free activities?Drop your comments below! we'd love to hear your opinions :-)

What if we could wave a magic wand and remove all plastics from our lives? It would be an ideal situation if we consider the current condition of mother earth. But if we start thinking about it, we can soon realize how much plastic there is in our lives. Is life as we know it even possible without plastic?When Was Plastic Invented?Humans have been using plastic-like materials, such as shellac – made from a resin secreted by lac insects – for thousands of years. But plastics, as we know them today, are a 20th Century invention: Bakelite, the first plastic made from fossil fuels, was invented in 1907. It wasn't until after World War Two that the production of synthetic plastics for use outside the military really took off. Since then, plastic production has increased almost every year, from two million tonnes in 1950 to 380 million tonnes in 2015. If it continues at this rate, plastic could account for 20% of oil production by 2050.Why is plastic use so widespread?Plastic is such a common material because it is exceedingly versatile, more than any other material. It can be used for literally anything since its colors, strength, weight, and durability can be modified. Plastic is the most used material in packaging for several reasons: Versatility: Plastic can be molded into various shapes and sizes, making it a versatile material for packaging. It can be made into bottles, containers, bags, and other packaging products. Durability: Plastic is a durable material that can withstand a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions. This makes it suitable for packaging products that need to be protected from moisture, air, and other external factors. Lightweight: Plastic is a lightweight material, which makes it a cost-effective choice for packaging products that need to be transported over long distances. It also reduces the amount of packaging waste generated during transportation. Low Cost: Plastic is a relatively low-cost material, which makes it an affordable option for manufacturers and consumers. It is less expensive than many other packaging materials, such as glass, metal, and paper. Customization: Plastic can be easily customized to suit the needs of different products and brands. It can be colored, printed, and embossed to create unique packaging designs that stand out on store shelves. What about the social benefits?Plastics contribute to the health and safety of consumers in food and water packaging applications. Water has become a critical focus in urban areas, and plastics provide the mechanism for the supply and storage of clean drinking water.  Plastic food packaging allows safe, time-dependent storage of fresh produce and other food, using temperature and atmosphere control inside the package. In addition, the quality of packaged foods can be monitored with low-cost indicator labels built into the packaging.Why does plastic pollution contribute to climate change?Open burning of plastic waste is also a major cause of toxic emissions. Open burning is common in many parts of the world where there is a lack of established waste collection and sorting services and is a major source of air pollution.The world is a long way from where it needs to be. 15% of plastics are collected for recycling globally, with only 9% actually being recycled. Meanwhile, emissions of plastic waste into aquatic ecosystems are projected to nearly triple by 2040 without meaningful action. Parts of the recycling industry, meanwhile, are associated with serious malpractice around labor abuse, child labor, and corruption.The chemistry around plastics has also grown more and more advanced, with thousands of plastic types emerging. These types create incredible complexity and have far outpaced governments’ attempts to develop effective recycling schemes.  Why is it important to reduce plastic waste?Plastic waste is very harmful to human health and wildlife. There are over 700 species threatened directly by plastic pollution through ingestion. Seabirds, for example, consume plastic waste, which fills up their stomachs, makes them unable to feed, and causes them to starve to death.Plastics break down into microplastics, which become magnets for contaminants in the oceans, creating a concentration of toxins. A few ways to reduce your plastic use 1. Avoid the worst common plastics: Identify the type of plastic of a product by looking at the recycling symbol molded on the item. The three following plastics are very common, and are significantly harmful to living beings and the environment:- Polyvinyl Chloride: An extremely toxic plastic often containing multiple unsafe additives, including lead and phthalates. Still used for some toys, clear food and non-food packaging (e.g., cling wrap), some squeeze bottles, cooking oil, and peanut butter jars.- Polystyrene: Contains styrene, which is toxic to the brain, nervous system, and various organs. Used in Styrofoam containers, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, take-out food containers, and plastic cutlery.- Polycarbonate: Contains bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to numerous health problems. Used in some baby bottles (though increasingly banned in baby bottles by countries around the world), clear plastic “sippy” cups, sports water bottles, juice, and ketchup containers, and in three and five-gallon large water storage containers, and most metal food can liners.2. Refuse plastic bags and bring your own reusable bags wherever you goPlastic bags are often used for minutes only before being discarded. And most plastic bags are not recycled, thus ending up in landfills – where they take hundreds of years to break down – or in the environment as toxic pollution.There are now all kinds of reusable bags out there. Choose what works for you, and carry it with you in your pocket, coat, purse or car.3. Avoid bottled water The realities of bottled water are: it is less regulated than tap water; usually, it is simply filtered tap water; it is very expensive; it requires enormous resources to collect, bottle, and ship it And, of course, it generally comes in a plastic bottle – usually polyethylene terephthalate – which contains the toxic metal antimony.So, please, just buy your own reusable water bottle, it’s so easy.4. Keep Plastic in use for longer Going plastic-free has its positives and negatives. Plastic weighs less than glass so can reduce transport emissions, but glass is more widely recycled and contains a higher portion of recycled content which can reduce its impact on resource consumption globally. If removing plastic from your life completely is unfeasible, make your plastic containers go further. For example, when a plastic bottle finishes, try your local refill shop and fill those containers with new products including wet and dry goods. We can also reuse containers like old butter and ice cream tubs as sandwich boxes, useful tubs for screws or nails, or planters for seedlings.5. Give Up Gum In England, around 87% of streets are stained with gum (Keep Britain Tidy) so always make sure you dispose of chewing gum in an appropriate bin, never on the floor. Did you know conventional chewing gum is made from plastic? This makes it take longer to decompose and it will break down into microplastics. Several plastic-free alternatives are now on the shelves, so look for brands that detail the ingredients of their gum and are committed to ending plastic pollution. Can we ban plastics?A future entirely without plastic is neither realistic nor desirable. We must be realistic in terms of interventions and understand that we cannot simply recycle our way out of this crisis. We must take a step back from focusing so closely on plastics' end-of-life stage and look at the bigger picture, and that is - the entire plastics value chain, particularly, re-engineering our production and consumption process to reduce its use. The least plastics used; the less plastic waste is generated.Efforts should be concentrated on global agreements to reduce the flow and variety of plastics and use disposable items of all kinds.It is an enormously challenging task, but legislation to prohibit plastic use can be effective. In 2022 France introduced a law banning plastic packaging for large numbers of fruits and vegetables, ending the overwrapping of carrots, apples, and bananas, and pledging to gradually phase out all single-use plastics by 2040.Generally, efforts should be concentrated on global agreements to reduce the flow and variety of plastics and use disposable items of all kinds. Individual nations must also invest in local recycling operations. That would include industrial recycling plants in developed nations or informal litter pickers in developing nations who earn a living recovering recyclable plastics from landfill.Circular Economy’s Role in a plastic-free futureThe need to deal with plastic pollution is a key part of the argument for transitioning to a circular economy.The circular economy means moving away from the world’s current economic model of ‘take, make, throw away’.It means redesigning products to be more durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable and therefore kept in circulation for as long as possible. And it means changing the way we consume goods and services and rethinking consumerism as a society.A circular economy approach to plastics would see the world move away from single-use items towards reuse alternatives such as reusable coffee cup schemes or refill aisles in supermarkets.It would also see plastic products redesigned with recycling in mind using individual polymer plastics and designing out toxic chemicals. The European Union (EU) is leading the way currently, setting an ambitious target to make all plastic packaging fully recyclable by 2030.Final ThoughtsWe will not create a world without plastics because it is such a good material. But we can aim for a future without plastic waste and pollution. A globally coordinated approach is vital to this effort.It is crucial that the production of new plastics is reduced and refined. The types of plastics currently being produced are incredibly complex, and often not used in an easily recyclable form.Let’s do our best to avoid single-use plastic. Creating circular and sustainable alternatives. Managing plastic waste more efficiently. Together, let’s create systems to better reuse, reduce and recycle. Let’s push for an ambitious global agreement to end plastic pollution. Let’s demand that governments and business act, commit, and set new standards.Use your voice, and your choice, to beat plastic pollution. Let’s do better.

The modern age brings comfort to our lives that our predecessors weren’t lucky enough to enjoy. We’re cushioned from the myriad of tragedies that happen daily in certain parts of the world and shielded from the pain, sorrow, and misery that afflicts them. Yet, instead of counting our blessings and being grateful for our circumstances, we tend to take that for granted. Not only that, we want more. More security, material possessions, money, status, and desires.In today’s article, we want to suggest you a few tips that could help you see your tendencies and to find new prospects.1. The More We Search for Security, the More Insecure We AreAccording to the philosopher Alan Watts, the more we search for comfort and security, the more we remind ourselves that we lack them. The more we seek certainty, the more we feel uncertain. The more we want to shield ourselves from insecurity, the more we feel insecure. The more we desire money and status, the more we feel like we’re poor and on the lower rung of society.It’s not an issue that we want those things. The problem is that we feel anxious in the process of chasing them. We tense up and enter a fight-or-flight state in which we tell ourselves that we must get those things no matter what.Throughout our lives, we’re constantly trying to find ways to shed our insecurities. For some people, that’s a necessity. But for many others, it’s a goose chase. You see, the more you try to escape insecurity, the more you invite it into your fold. When you isolate yourself from others for fear that relationships can negatively affect you, you’re depleting yourself of the opportunity to grow, hear other people’s ideas and opinions, and even question your outlook on life and how you live it.Or, when you’re slaving away at the desk 60+ hours a week, with the excuse that you’re earning more money, achieving a higher status, or working for that coveted promotion.But you’re doing that at the expense of your energy and time that you could spend pursuing hobbies, personal interests, or spending time with family and friends. Activities that provide you with life energy instead of depleting it.We’re never guaranteed security. Today is all we have, so why go through life without enjoying it to the fullest?2. Define your core values and idealsDo you know the difference between values and ideals? Values already define you. Ideals are what you strive for and wish to be.Values are more internal, personal measures. Ideals tend to be external values you envision for society.So many of us struggle to find our meaning, purpose, and anchor in life. The solution? Uncovering the three to five core values and ideals that make you tick. This might seem easier said than done, but it could be tricky.Try to ask yourself these questions: What would you take a stand for? What makes you mad and why is that? What are the peak moments of your life until today? What are the common threads between these moments or experiences? In a general sense, we can identify some personal values that people consider most important in their lives. For example love, justice, family, fairness, honesty, transparency, competence, enthusiasm, humor, and respect. These are, of course, just a few examples; each of us may have more specific ones as well, and they may be different depending on our private or work, or professional life sphere.An ideal acts both as an introjection of a model, which becomes part of personal identity, and as an imitation of it, to which to conform one's conduct. For example, I would like to live in a world where there is no war, which is an ideal that so far is only possible in the mind of the individual.Once you define your values, you can look at your behavior and notice your value is in alignment with your behavior. If there's a disconnect, you now have a starting point of where to remedy as opposed to feeling lost and stuck.When you bring your values and goals into alignment you feel a wonderful sense of calmness, confidence, and personal power.Take some time to be clear about your values and ideals. Make sure that everything you do in your outer world is in harmony with what you believe to be right and good in your inner world.3. Let beliefs lead to passionsOnce you’ve defined your core principles, you can follow that path to finding things you’re passionate about—in turn, filling your days with what you enjoy. When we do the things we're passionate about, we can wake up looking forward to the day.4. We are constantly looking for the future happinessAmbitions and aspirations… seem to never materialize, don’t they? The perfect partner, the million-dollar idea, the promotion that could arrive any day: they’re all ideas that we keep in our mind to prevent us from feeling the pain we’ll feel if those moments don’t arrive. Clinging to future expectations and desires only prevents us from enjoying our life.Instead of thinking about what good (or bad) things await us in the future, it’s infinitely better to focus on what good things we have at the moment. You can be grateful for your family and your loving and supporting friends, or your health is in check, and you can provide for yourself.There are countless moments around you that you can appreciate, small or big.  A fuller life doesn’t necessarily mean being happy all the time—rather, it’s about being in touch with your inner self and deciding what you need at that moment.5. Strengthen your inner circleAdding more fulfillment to your life might also mean seeking out connections with those around you. Finding your people, the ones who cheer you on and lift you up on a soul level is life's work. Your community is going to be one of the biggest factors to propel you and your dreams forward—or hold you back. Surround yourself with the people and energies that bring you growth, safety, pure joy, and peace.ConclusionsIt always starts with awareness. Simply being aware of the feelings and thoughts that arise when you yearn for security is the first step toward escaping its clutches. Then, you can let go and let life unfold before you. You’ll find that insecurity won’t destroy you. It liberates you.Stop overthinking everything and take each day as it comes.Give your best every day to be present with yourself and others.You may sometimes falter but keeping this in mind is essential.Perfection is the enemy of progress.

Many millions of people around the world participated on the 22nd of April Earth Day in support of environmental protection. Uppermost in the minds of many is climate change – and the need to rapidly cut global greenhouse gas emissions.The theme of Earth Day 2023 has not changed and revives the concept expressed last year: investing in our planet. Given the great success of last year's edition, in fact, the organization has decided to replicate it. "In 2023 we must come together again in a partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments, and civil society have the same responsibility to act against the climate crisis and ignite the spark to accelerate change toward a green, prosperous and equitable future. We must unite in our fight for the green revolution and the health of future generations. Now is the time to invest in our planet," explains Earthday.org President Kathleen Rogers. This Earth Day, we want to examine some of the most impactful, immediate changes you can make today to help lower your emissions.1. Fewer flightsAviation contributes to about 2% of overall global emissions and this figure is increasing more than any other form of transport. Flying is also highly unequal: in the UK, 70% of all flights are taken by just 15% of the population.While emissions from aviation overall are relatively small, each flight emits a lot of greenhouse gases. A return flight from London to New York, for example, emits almost a tonne of CO2, and the climate impact is even larger due to other non-CO2 emissions from aircraft.Changing the way some aircraft are powered could also soon be within reach. Smaller planes could soon fly on electric engines. But making air travel more sustainable is not simple. Aircraft are some of the most complex vehicles out there, but the biggest problem for electrifying them is the battery weight.If you tried to fully electrify a 737 with today’s batteries, you would have to take out all the passengers and cargo and fill that space with batteries just to fly for under an hour.Jet fuel can hold about 50 times more energy compared to batteries per unit mass. So, you can have 1 pound of jet fuel or 50 pounds of batteries. To close that gap, we need to either make lithium-ion batteries lighter or develop new batteries that hold more energy. New batteries are being developed, but they aren’t yet ready for aircraft. Larger planes could switch to alternative fuels such as biofuels, synthetic fuels made from renewable energy, or, in the very long term, hydrogen.We can still see the world taking fewer planes: flying abroad 15 to 20 times over a lifetime or traveling more slowly overland to different places. But we need to get realistic about the impact of weekend city breaks abroad. Why not visit all the incredible places we have closer to home?2. FoodChanging our behaviors around food is the most impactful of all the shifts. And it’s not just about climate change; if you look at biodiversity loss, land use change, fertilizers in the ocean creating dead zones, and the massive extinction and loss of insects due to pesticides, these problems are all driven by food.The study, published in online journal Nature Food, identified that up to 61 percent of greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by wealthy nations turning to plant-based diets. If everyone in the world shifted to a plant-based diet, it would free up 75% of the world's agricultural land for other uses.  Findings, published in the journal Science, were expanded to reveal that without dietary change, global warming will be unstoppable. Sustainable food production systems will help, but widespread adoption of meat consumption reduction is key. Did you know the contribution of food wastage emissions to global warming is almost equivalent to global road transport emissions? See below how reducing your food waste will positively impact the environment. #Recycle #ClimateActionNow #FoodWaste #FAO #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/6liy4jjUcz — #CleanOurStreets | SMI (@SafishaMtaa) February 5, 2022 Another way to make big emissions savings is to avoid food waste, which amounts to 900 million tonnes a year (or 23 million large truckloads a year). Over 30% of food is lost or wasted each year. This number is even more striking, given the large number of hungry people in the world. Wasted food is not only inefficient, it’s a social justice issue.   Visualizza questo post su Instagram  Un post condiviso da Climifi (@climifi) 3. TransportMany people have become accustomed to owning a car and for some, their vehicle is essential either for work or because they are disabled or live in a remote area.But car ownership is driving huge emissions, the research shows. Globally, transport is responsible for about a quarter of overall greenhouse gas emissions, and more than two-thirds of this comes from the engines of road vehicles.If you have a car, simply cutting down on how much you use it can be a great first step to reducing your emissions. In many places, the majority of car journeys are only for relatively short distances, and walking or biking (read also this article about multimodal mobility) are great alternatives that can also help keep you healthy.An awesome idea is to get an electric skateboard to live the city with much more ease without harming the planet ?   Visualizza questo post su Instagram  Un post condiviso da LINKY (@linkyinnovation) 4. HousingHeating homes is one of the main sources of emissions, especially in countries where the predominant source of heating is burning fossil fuels. In the EU, heating accounts for 63% of household energy consumption.  In the US around half of homes are heated using gas. That needs to change drastically if we are to limit global warming.Is your housing affecting the environment? This is a question every citizen should ask of their situation in the midst of joint crises.Fortunately, the potential to innovate green homesteads is increasing all the time. With the integration of smart technology in cities, material and construction innovations, and the declining cost of renewable energies, the means to improve housing sustainability are rapidly expanding.Of course, it is great to always turn off appliances, and be mindful about how we consume energy in our homes. The greenest (and cheapest) kWh is the one we don’t spend! But to make the most impact possible, focus should be on the changes that make a big difference, not on a lot of small actions that have low impact. It is better to hang dry your clothes than using the tumble dryer, but if you leave your phone charger plugged in it really won’t make a big difference.To-do’s: Switch to green electricity If possible, electrify your heating or check what other renewable energy sources are available where you live (geothermal energy?) Electrify your water boiler! Wild cards: Consider putting solar cells on your roof Insulate the house Get an air-pump (reduces energy consumption) Housing is one of the biggest draws on resources and energy, especially within the US. Mitigating the effects of housing on the environment in these circumstances requires smart and ethical housing decisions. Start by assessing the carbon footprint of your home, then take these considerations into account when looking for a new place to live. We can get to a more sustainable world, but we will need to start one house at a time.5. FinanceDespite more attention to the rapidly changing climate, many people still don’t think about how their financial decisions directly impact climate change. And why would you? It’s hard enough to earn money and determine how, when, and where to spend or invest it. Adding another variable into the mix can complicate that and make those decisions even more difficult. Nevertheless, it’s essential to understand how your financial decisions can affect climate change.Many banks are well-documented financiers of the climate crisis, providing trillions of dollars to fossil fuel extraction. There are a rising number of alternative banks marketing themselves as ethical and funders of solutions, while alternatives to banks, such as credit unions or building societies, are also often less likely to be funding fossil fuels due to the way they invest.6. FashionThe clothing and textiles industry accounts for more greenhouse gas emissions than international aviation and shipping combined and the rise of fast, disposable fashion is accelerating that trend.Each year more than 100 billion items of clothing are produced globally, with 65% of these ending up in landfill within 12 months.How can we make our wardrobe more sustainable? You could start by buying your clothes second-hand, in thrift shops, or restricting purchases to three items a year – ideally, ones that are durable and will last. These clothes might be more expensive, but it is worth considering the cost per wear. If it will last three times as long but is only double the price, that’s a financial saving over the lifetime of the item and better for the environment too. If you’ve made it this far, you’re likely to be serious about reducing your carbon footprint and making a positive change for the future of our planet. Climate change is an issue that requires urgent action and systemic changes to the way that society currently functions.It is everyone’s responsibility, including individuals and the private sector, to make the world a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable place.Do you have any sustainable tips you want to share? leave a comment below ?How do you do your bit?   Visualizza questo post su Instagram  Un post condiviso da Sustainable Waste Company | Matter (@matter_waste)

Just a few days after COP27 concluded with the urgent appeal for immediate climate action, many companies have now committed to net zero pledges to decarbonize their businesses. Yet participation in a day that is all about promoting impulse purchases, thereby increasing overconsumption, stands in stark contrast to our climate reality. The necessary shift towards a sustainable future requires a rethinking of our consumerist lifestyle, moving our focus from acquiring unlimited amounts of low-quality products, toward mindful consumption of high-quality, fair, and environmentally friendly produced products – in short, the polar opposite of what Black Friday stands for.How did Black Friday start?Black Friday historically is the name of the Friday after Thanksgiving to describe the crowds and traffic congestion accompanying the start of America’s Christmas shopping season. It has been around for decades and grew into a worldwide madness. Sale prices have never been so low as on Black Friday. Of which you can question; how fair are these prices? Can it actually be produced for the prices it is sold? How many extra carbon dioxide emissions are generated due to the travel miles to deliver the crazy amount of packages? And so on… In our eyes, Black Friday is a black day in consumer society.Don’t get us wrong, we support the Christmas thought of giving to show gratitude, love, and peace. However, the commercial thought and the urge to buy cheap stuff we don’t need goes way beyond our comprehension. If you think about it, isn’t it insane?At Linky Innovation this is a very good reason to not participate in the madness of Black Friday (and other commercial days).Why is Black Friday bad for the environment?Similar to fast fashion, Black Friday promotes mass consumerism and encourages people to buy products purely because they’re on sale with little regard for how often they will be used.Most products will be used a handful of times and then discarded – with the majority ending up in a landfill.Whatsmore, millions of tonnes of resources required to manufacture and ship these products are used up during the black Friday sales.And with return shipping for products no longer wanted, even more emissions from transporting these goods occur.Logistics company Optoro found that returning items bought during the sales used over 1.2 billion gallons of diesel and emits 12 million metric tonnes of CO2. That was just in the US alone. Black Friday waste facts and statistics 80% of products bought at Black Friday end up in landfill, are incinerated or are recycled poorly – source Only 29% of electronic waste caused by Black Friday is recycled This year’s (2022) Black Friday is expected to produce 429,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from product deliveries alone – that’s the same as 435 return flights from London to New York! 1.4 million tonnes of e-waste is sent to landfills every year UK shoppers spent £4.8 billion in last year’s Black Friday but this is expected to drop by 18% in 2022 due to the cost of living crisis This is our Earth, and we encourage customers to shop consciously with brands that offer products and garments that will not only last but have been made ethically and sustainably. As a consumer, you choose who you support when you hand your money over to businesses… just be sure it’s the right business you choose to support.You hold the power as a consumer in the growth of companies. The more sales they generate, the larger they grow but do they do the right thing as they grow? Do workers suffer as they grow? Do they produce excess products that pollute the planet as they grow?https://twitter.com/Fash_Rev/status/1458812323955675142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1458812323955675142%7Ctwgr%5Ea6c8deafa421c8e50ddf46a86c8755f639dc24bc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoodonyou.eco%2Fissues-with-black-friday%2FCheck out a few examples of 5 Brands, like Patagonia and REI, that rejected the usual tactics of Black Friday - they represent a great source of inspiration for us.https://youtu.be/UAZ8Ts9CC6IWHY WE DON'T DO BLACK FRIDAYWe fully support offering small discounts at this time of year for consumers who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford our product. We know this as a fact, as we have a small base of customers that tell us they love our products but can only afford to buy them when we offer discounts. This is totally understandable and we fully support customers that need our products but don’t necessarily have the budget. We’re grateful for their support and custom.Linky may be priced higher than other companies because our workers are paid a good wage and we design our skateboards in-house. For an electric skateboard, we are priced extremely fairly, because we want our customers to have sustainable, quality products at fair prices. Our designs are our own and are not mass-produced.Linky is designed to last.Time, love, research, and care go into our product. We only ever produce our skateboards in quantities we know will sell. There is never any waste or excess and it's something we're proud of as a company. We offer our customers quality and a skateboard that we know will last them for years to come and our prices reflect this. We got you.As a business, we appreciate holiday shopping, but we feel the excess around Black Friday has shifted the focus from quality to quantity - and that's simply not what we're about.That's why we're not offering Black Friday sales.It doesn't reflect who we are as a brand and diminishes the effort each person places into handcrafting every single item. By offering crazy discounts for sales, we would be devaluing the effort our team put in daily.Our goal is - and always will be - to offer people a sustainable means of transportation, helping the reduction of CO2 emissions.So as ever, if you share our sentiments, your support is forever appreciated and our product will be available on our online store.But we won't pressure you into making a decision - today, Friday, or ever. 

Sometimes it feels like there is a primal instinct that is satisfied from cycling. Or maybe it's just a connection to that instinct. It's the challenge, the exertion, the risk, pushing oneself out of the comfort zone in a physical way. Stirring and satisfying one's sense of adventure at the same time.Taking a trip to the grocery requires riding among the 5000 lb poison spewing beasts. I must rely on my skill, conditioning, and adaptability to survive. When I return home with the groceries my body has a memory of physical exertion, as if I had been on the hunt. This feels good. It is a feeling from the body that things are as they should be.There is also the efficiency of the bicycle that appears to humans. If humans come up with a good thing, they try to make it better. When the safety bicycle (chain drive and pneumatic tires) appeared over one hundred years it was and remains the most efficient machine of personal transportation for humans in their entire history. It is so efficient that once the bicycle is purchased, it can be operated and maintained year after year for pennies. Over a long period of time that can add up to a significant savings of money. This would be a good enough reason in itself for some to like cycling so much.Here at Linky Innovation, we put everything we have into making the highest quality bike products on the market so that you can get maximum enjoyment out of this wonderful activity. Here’s a list of 5 reasons why we love cycling so much.It's a meditation.You can go, focus on a rhythm, clear your mind, and let your thoughts wander. Overcome challenges along the way, get up that hill, and make it another 10km. You can find new places, see and appreciate things you wouldn't normally. It's also good exercise, gets me some fresh air and sunlight. It's so many things.  Freedom.I get an awesome sense of freedom when I’m flying down hills or pushing myself and my bike up the next one. I like going fast on the descent (plenty of those here in Marche). Being a competitive person, I like beating my past self and looking at all the data on Strava in the process. It's good exercise too (lost around 13 lbs since I started just over a year ago). There's a good mix of short (get up this hill), medium (go for a long ride), and long-term (train for an organized ride) goals involved. And it's great to clear your mind. Also, it destroys my anxiety. If I get anxious, I just hop on my bike and ride until I’m exhausted. By the time I get home, my anxiety is gone.It’s Great Exercise.Cycling is amazing for those looking for a form of cardio or aerobic exercise other than running. You will burn plenty of calories just riding a few miles to the supermarket. You’ll burn many more if you get out on some trails. It’s also much easier on your joints than running.It’s good for the environment.Cycling is amazing not just for ourselves, but it benefits our environment as well. When you opt for your bike over your car, you are keeping harmful pollution and gas-related emissions out of the environment.Gives new perspectives.Because of my passion for photography, I used to hike outdoors to find the right scene and angles. I was used to this way of exploring by myself slowly, but after I started cycling, I loved this new way of exploring the world. I can enjoy the rush of cycling and see the beauty of the vast landscape at the same time, rather than just the details.Cycling is the closest thing you can get to flying without leaving the ground. As a matter of fact, the mechanics of actual flying/piloting an airplane isn't even nearly as fun as cycling a nice bike.I'll end with this quote from John Forester: People like to travel: that is why the grass is greener over thefence. We are walkers --- our natural means of travel is to put one foot infront of the other. The bicycle seduces our basic nature by making walkingexciting. It lets us take 10-foot strides at 160 paces a minute. That's 20 miles an hour, instead of 4 or 5... It is not only how fast you go --- cars arefaster and jet planes faster still. But jet-plane travel is frustrating boredom--- at least the car gives the pictorial illusion of travel. Cycling does it all:  you have the complete satisfaction of arriving because your mind has chosen the path and steered you over it; your eyes have seen it; your muscles have felt it; your breathing, circulatory and digestive systems have all done theirnatural functions better than ever, and every part of your being knows you havetraveled and arrived. What about you? Why do you ride? We'd love to hear your opinion about it :) Let us know in the comment section below!  

The benefits of bicycling are too numerous to list, but there are probably some aspects you have never thought of before. We all know that cycling is good for physical health, but what about mental health?As studies over the years have revealed, there has always been a link between exercise and improved mood, but this goes beyond just feeling in a good mood. More and more research shows that there is a clear link between exercise (particularly outdoor exercise) and combating depression, anxiety and stress.Although many people initially hop on a bike to lose weight or embrace an active and more green lifestyle, a very valuable side effect is a happier, more stable life.Times have been tough for much of the world in the past 18 months. Government statistics have shown that the number of adults over the age of 18 suffering from psychological distress has increased by nearly a third since the first national lockout in March 2020. The NHS recommends at least two hours of exercise per week to combat stress.According to the Department of Transportation, the number of people riding bicycles has increased by 19 percent in 2020. More and more people have decided to get in the saddle rather than use public transportation to keep active, but how much can bicycling actually do for our mental health?1. Riding a bike increases memory and reasoning abilityAll aerobic exercises can be beneficial for the brain, as they help maintain blood flow to the organ, providing it with a supply of nutrients and oxygen. People who exercise regularly often find that their judgment, learning and thinking skills remain sharp even as they age. But it is not only the elderly who benefit from this link between exercise and brain function: young people also claim that a bike ride can help their mental processes. Cycling and physical activity immediately increase brain levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, all of which influence concentration and attention.2. It makes us feel goodRegular physical activity helps combat stress, depression, and anxiety. Biking to work, however, is one of the best ways to improve one's daily well-being. According to a study conducted in several European cities, using a bicycle to get around can help reduce perceived stress and combat feelings of loneliness. The research, conducted by ISGlobal, compared different ways of getting around, such as walking, taking the car or public transportation, and showed that bicycling is the number one means of transportation for improving one's well-being.The research is supported by an earlier study on commuters conducted by the University of East Anglia in 2014. The report concluded that those who cycled or walked to work were less stressed and could concentrate better than those who commuted by car. The same study also found that commuters who switched from four to two wheels reported feeling happier-and who doesn't want to brighten their day?3. More EnergyIt may not seem to make sense, but exercise is one of the best ways to get more energy. Sure, you expend physical energy while running, but time spent with an elevated heart rate will give you a boost of energy.4. Boost of Self EsteemThere is no better feeling than facing a difficult climb and knowing that it is only your own physical and mental strength that will get you to the top. You will feel strong and powerful, and this will begin to make its way into the other aspects of your life as well. You will feel better about your appearance and have a sense of accomplishment when you reach and surpass the goals you have set for yourself.5. Improves the quality of sleepExercise has been shown to help regulate sleep. One reason may be the body-warming effect of exercise and cycling in particular. The rise in temperature, followed by the post-run drop, promotes sleep taking by decreasing arousal, anxiety and stress.6. Makes you more creativeMany creative people such as writers, musicians and artists use exercise as a means of overcoming mental blocks. I know that some of my best ideas have come to me while riding a bicycle! The smooth movement of the bicycle has a relaxing effect on the brain, stabilizing physical and mental functions. A recent study showed that after just 30 minutes of bicycling, participants scored higher on tests of memory, reasoning and planning. So instead of banging your head on your desk or scrolling through Facebook, try pedaling.Unlike dragging yourself to the gym, cycling can be incorporated into your daily routine without disrupting it. Those who substitute their tedious bicycle commute to and from work have a much lower risk of feeling stressed, and some research suggests that making regular exercise part of your lifestyle-such as integrating it into a hobby or daily routine can improve mood and overall well-being.Why not get on your bike today and see if it helps your mood?And, if you are riding, be sure to send us a photo to tell us about your experience.

Electric skateboards are already a TON of fun to ride. Nothing tops carving on an empty road or getting to where you need to go in style.But those who are just using their boards out of the box, without any sort of add-ons, have yet to unlock their full potential.Investing in some electric skateboard accessories could drastically improve your riding experience, or make it even more enjoyable.We’re not just talking about the usual gear either e.g. a helmet, pads, backpacker, etc. There are some seriously cool gadgets out there for electric skateboards that you need to try out.This article is an exhibition of some of the best electric skateboard accessories money can buy. Some of the choices are a bit silly and just fun to use; most are essential items that every rider should have.Let’s see what they are. Quick Answers Here is a shortlist of the best and most useful electric skateboard accessories you’ll find in this article: Your Electric Skateboard Backpack - GoRide Commuter The Best All-Terrain Wheels - Atom All-Terrain Skateboard Wheels A Solid Action Camera - GoPro HERO9 Padded Jacket - Lazy Rolling Armored Jacket Light Rain Jacket - Linky Rain Shell A Sturdy Helmet -  MONATA Skateboard Helmet Knee and Elbow Pads - K2 Performance Pad Set Griptape Cleaner -  Black Diamond Grip Tape Cleaner A Sick Pair of Sunglasses - Hawkers Note that all of the above will work with almost any board you might have. Things like spare batteries, deck hooks, belt replacements, and fast chargers will need to be researched before purchasing in order to make sure they are compatible with your board.Read on for more great electric skateboard accessories and more details. The Best Electric Skateboard Accessories Backpack Arguably the most important accessory that any electric skateboard rider can have: the sacred backpack.Every rider should have a good backpack. It’s not just for carrying all the other potential accessories in this list, but other items such as books, laptops, folders, keys, whatever.Commuting longboarders and college students, in particular, NEED to have a good backpack.The perfect electric longboard backpack will have the following: Enough space to hold what you carry but not too big to be cumbersome. Good resistance against the elements. The ability to accommodate your longboard, either inside or outside via straps. If you already have a Linky, we suggest getting the Linky Daily Traveler backpack, which is specifically designed to hold the foldable electric longboard.Otherwise, anything from GoRide, Slick Revolution, or AlterBags should be good. Action Camera Item #2 that every electric skateboard owner should have is a good action camera. These are great when you want to record some epic downhill run or just want to preserve a memorable ride.Crucially, action cameras are important because they are meant to be hands-free. Most of the time, you will need to have your hands free to balance and turn on the board. Sometimes, you might get away with a camera on a selfie stick, but that’s only if you’re cruising on easy terrain.Your best option is to put the action camera on your helmet. Most reputable camera brands include some sort of mount you can attach to any model; just make sure the adhesive is sticky enough.GoPro is the leading action camera manufacturer but there are plenty of other options. Garmin is a slightly more rugged option whilst Akaso is slightly more budget-friendly. All-Terrain Wheels If you want to turn your electric skateboard or longboard into an off-road beast, you’ll absolutely need new wheels. That’s because the wheels that most boards come with are too hard or small - they’re meant more for the streets and concrete.All-Terrain wheels are built to handle tough terrain. They’re larger, have more grip, and are usually made of rubber. These kinds of wheels offer more stability and flexibility when it comes to dealing with obstacles like dirt, rocks, roots, and other objects in nature.Whilst all-terrain wheels are meant for off-road usage, they can still be used in the cities. Many who commute to work with a longboard like the extra stability the larger wheels provide. If their wheels are the pneumatic type though, they’ll just need to be aware that they can be punctured. Spare Battery Batteries run out all the time when you’re on the road. Despite the fact that an electric skateboard conveniently becomes a regular skateboard when the battery is gone, it’s still a bit annoying.The average electric skateboard battery will last for about 20 miles. That’s roughly 2 hours of riding. That’s enough juice for some, but others might need more.Those who ride their board often throughout the day should pack a spare just in case. Make sure that you buy a battery that is compatible with your board. It will most likely come from the same brand.Buy a spare battery for your Linky board here. Fast Charger If you’re in a pinch or just use your electric skateboard a lot, being able to charge batteries quickly is huge.Let’s be honest as well: most standard chargers that come with the board are not as fast as they could be.Many electric longboard brands offer special fast chargers to those who are in need of them. These are markedly better at charging. For example, Linky’s fast charger will power the battery to 85% in only 30 minutes!It is possible to buy a third-party fast charger. If you do this though, just make sure that the voltage and specs of the battery and charger are correct. Use the wrong charger and you could compromise the battery itself. Light Rain Jacket You never know when it comes to the weather. One moment, you could be riding around, suns out, guns out; the next, the heavens open up and you’re being dumped on.It’s always good to pack some sort of lightweight shell or jacket in case it starts to rain while you’re riding. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy. In fact, you’re probably better off with something super simple that packs away as easily as possible.Linky sells a very simple rain jacket that can be collapsed into a pouch. Weighing only 60 grams as well, you’ll hardly even notice it’s in your bag. Heavier Jacket More regular and/or daring riders will want something a bit more durable than a thin rain jacket. This is mostly for protection in case you fall.This is especially the case with downhill riders who often ride at very fast speeds and have a higher chance of accident and serious injury.A leather jacket is a classic choice as these provide a ton of protection. After all, these have been motorcyclists' go-to for practically ever.There are lighter, cheaper, and more contemporary options available though. Lazyrolling makes an armored jacket that comes pre-equipped with shoulder, elbow, and back pads. You couldn’t even tell by looking at one either. Spine Protector If you’re doing serious speeds downhill and are truly at risk of serious injury, you should probably invest in total protection.Spine protectors, which are commonly used by BMX riders, skiers, and mountain bikers, provide crucial extra protection to a seriously sensitive area. The extra padding and support that these can make all the difference in the event of a terrible accident. Helmet Speaking of safety, this is the #1 safety accessory for ALL electric skateboarders. Seriously, don’t leave home without one.There are lots of different types of skateboard helmets available these days. Each is more or less catered to a different type of rider.Half shell helmets are what you usually see electric skateboarders and longboarders wearing. They cover the forehead and extend back to just above the occipital part where the head meets the neck. These offer a good balance of protection and comfort.Those who go on speed runs and downhill rides should use a full-face helmet instead. Covering the entire head from the neck up, these will protect your face in case of a gnarly wipeout. Knee and Elbow Pads We all remember growing up and using these when we first learned to ride a bike or board. But even us adults could stand to use extra pads sometimes.Knee and elbow pads protect mostly from getting scraped after falling off the border. In the case of a serious fall, they can also prevent nasty bone breaks.Those who are just learning to ride their electric board ought to consider using some padding at first. Maybe feeling a little self-conscious about that? Just wear a hoodie over the pads :)There are other types of pads available that would be beneficial to people who fall off their boards frequently. Butt, wrist, and thigh pads are also available to purchase. Extra Belts These aren’t so much an “electric skateboard accessory” per se, but, regardless, they’re still handy to have.In short, the belt runs from the motor to the wheels*. When the motor runs, it turns the belt which then turns the wheels. That’s an electric drive system in a nutshell.Belts do degrade over time and with use. Eventually, they will snap and, at that point, your board will not be able to function properly.Installing a new belt can be done by yourself and no professional help is required. Check out our video below to learn how to change the belt on a Linky:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJVsxlBw4Nc*Not every electric skateboard uses a belt drive - some use a hub drive. In the case of the latter, you will not need to worry about replacing belts since hub drives don’t use them. Extra Bearings Like belts, having an extra set of bearings would be handy.Over time, bearings collect rust and dirt. As they do, they become less smooth and start to jam, making your riding experience much jankier.Finding the RIGHT pair for your electric skateboard means it will run as fast and as smoothly as possible. There are seriously tons of different bearings out there as well - riders tend to find a brand they like and stick to it.Do some research, try out different bearings, and land on a manufacturer you like. Grip tape Cleaner An easy electric skateboard accessory that might seem unnecessary at first but is, in fact, totally unskippable once you actually use it.Essentially no more than a cube of rough rubber, grip tape cleaners, also known as gummy cubes, can seriously remove almost anything gritty from your board. Dirt, chalk, mud, no problem.One could use a towel or brush to clean their deck but these aren’t ideal - the tape is just too rough for these to get a good grip.Grip tape cleaner really is the best way to keep your board looking fresh. And trust us: we’ve seen some well-used Linky boards that could REALLY use some of this as well. Tool Kit Most modern electric skateboards come with some sort of tool to adjust the board. Sometimes, the tools are just a simple L wrench or an allen.If you ever need to replace yours, a T tool is a good bet. They’re light, cheap, and get the job done. Travel Bag Sometimes, you need something a bit more than a backpack. This is especially so if you plan on traveling with an electric longboard or skateboard for that matter.A good alternative to a backpack would be some sort of duffel bag. You’ll have a bit more space to carry all of your accessories and your board will be more protected since it is stored inside the bag.Personally, when I travel, I usually have some sort of medium-sized 40L backpack and a larger duffel. It makes for an overall easier experience IMO.When choosing a good bag, you’ll want something with a dedicated compartment for the board. This will ensure that it stays secured and reduces the chances of it getting damaged while traveling. Some bags come with internal straps and extra spaces for a helmet as well. Sunglasses Can’t leave the house with your favorite pair, can you?Personally, we’re big fans of anything from Hawkers. They’re affordable and look damn good.Also, if you haven't discovered them already, polarized sunglasses are a game-changer. Skies are bluer, glass buildings aren’t so blinding, and glare is practically non-existent. They’re great when riding or doing anything active really. Bluetooth Headphones Stay hands-free and invest in a good pair of wireless headphones.Regular earbuds would work but consider something a bit more secure like a headset. You don’t want them to be shaken loose by a bump and then fall out.Always choose a name brand as well. Bose and Sony are good places to start. Underglow Lights Do you like to ride your electric skateboard at night? Want to liven things up a bit?Try some underglow lights from Board Blazers! They’re LED, rechargeable, come in eight different colors, and are easy to install. Mount these bad boys and you’ll look like something straight out of Fast and the Furious (or a mobile disco).Heads up: these lights are turned on and off via a twisting motion, which a lot of users complain is not great. The glue that comes with the lights is just not strong enough and the lights tend to fall off reportedly. So you might want to consider using a different adhesive. Wall Hanger, Wall Rack, or Stand Don’t feel like tripping over your board? Need a home for it when it’s not being used? There are a couple of different ways you could store it: Wall hanger - A hook that you mount to the wall and hang your board vertically. Can only accommodate one board at a time. Buy several to show off your collection. Wall rack - Usually has several layers that can accommodate multiple boards. Boards are laid horizontally so the decals aren’t visible. Requires more wall space to mount. Ground stand - Doesn’t require any sort of mounting or drilling at all. Just prop your board up against it when you’re done. Make sure that whatever stand you do get is rated to handle the size and weight of yours though. Note: Linky boards are meant to be stored folded. When they are open, they automatically switch on, thus draining the battery. Stands, racks, and hangers are not required. Deck Hook Already have a good backpack that you want to convert into an electric skateboarding backpack, easily?No problem. Deck hooks are here to help.This ingenious electric skateboard accessory is simple: it’s a metal hook with a couple of straps that you can mount on almost any backpack. When you’re ready to go, all you need to do is pin the longboard on the hook, and voila! Like magic, the longboard is now hanging from your backpack.Admittedly, a deck hook isn’t a proper replacement for a good skateboard backpack. But if you’re already committed to another bag and need a quick fix, a deck hook is a simple solution that does a good job.NOTE: Linky boards are meant to be carried folded up. They are not designed to be carried using a hook. Bash guard Bash guards are nice to have if you are generally hard on your board and want to keep it in as top condition as possible. They’re not a vital electric skateboard accessory but just about any rider can benefit from one.Bash guards fit over the front and/or back of your board and protect it from unexpected blows. For example, perhaps you hit an incline that is a bit too steep or come off a curb that is a bit too high. Rather than slamming the edge of the board into the ground - and potentially damaging it seriously - the bash guard absorbs the blow.Ask your board’s manufacturer if they make a bash guard specific to your board. If not, you might be able to find something off the shelf. First Aid Kit Ask any serious skater: injuries are an inevitability. Scrapes, sprains, bruises, and broken bones are all common occurrences. And whilst we can’t tell you EXACTLY what needs to be done in case these injuries happen, you’ll definitely need something to patch them all.It is very easy to buy a premade first aid kit. Most aren’t even that large. They usually come with the standard bandages, wraps, disinfectants, etc. Unless you seriously fracture or dislocate something, this should be enough, either to get you home or the hospital.And who’s to say that YOU are the one who will get hurt. A buddy of yours might bail poorly and need help afterward. That’s where you and the first aid kit come in, you legend. Gloves Aside from providing a little extra protection in case you get tossed from your board, gloves can also be used when carving or sliding.Carving, which we covered very briefly in our article about choosing the right longboard, is when you turn sharply to increase speed. Some riders end up touching the ground with their hands if the carve is big enough.Sliding is a bit more intense and definitely requires you to get your hands on the ground.Unless you plan on losing your skin while doing a big carve or slide, you’ll want a pair of gloves to keep those hands lookin’ pretty.If you’re going to be using gloves for carving or sliding, you’ll need slide gloves specifically. Otherwise, a regular pair should keep your hands protected in the case of a fall. Wrapping Up There you have them: the 23 best accessories to buy for your electric skateboard! Buy these and you will have everything that you could possibly need.Did we forget a crucial item? Leave a comment below and let us know what it is!

In this article, I want to tell you more about the importance of passion in our Company.Our technical background is in automotive mechanics and power train systems. This helped us to realize five consecutive generations of functional prototypes using high-quality materials and lithium-ion batteries. This approach led by the philosophy of continuous improvement is something that permeates our company in every process and department.Passion is a state of mind.As Steve Jobs famously said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”We often hear that we need to put passion into everything we do. Passion is one of those words that people use often without really understanding the original meaning of the word. By definition, passion can be described as ‘a strong liking, desire or devotion towards an activity, object or concept’.Passions give us purpose, but more than that, they make us feel that we have a purpose in our lives.That’s what makes passion so important; they make us feel that we’re on the right path in life and give us hope for a happy and exciting future.To be passionate about something is to weather the storm no matter how hard it is.Passionate people are almost always ambitious. They want to have a say in the field that they love. They read about it, study it, embrace it and never really escape from it. It is a gift and a curse.In Business, Passion can Drive you Like No Other.“Passion is one of those intangibles that drives an entrepreneur, gets them through the good times and the bad times, and ultimately dictates the success of any startup. If you are not passionate about what you are building, you might as well pack up your bags right now, as your startup will never work.” George Deeb (Read the rest of this interesting article here).In Business, there are high highs and low lows. There are times when you will question why you are taking this route and if it’s ever going to become what you want it to. That’s where passion comes into play.Success is not a sprint, but a marathon. And because of this, you need to learn how to build sustainable motivation to support your action.Here are a few examples of inspiring entrepreneurs that can make you understand the importance of Passion: Bill Gates, right, created Microsoft. Long before that, however, he was an amateur programmer who was passionate enough about computers that in the eighth grade, he managed to get excused from math class to design things like early video games. Steve Jobs is another perfect example. For the founder of Apple, the simple phrase -- "people with passion can change the world" -- holds the secret to entrepreneurial success. In 2015 in his famous commencement speech at Stanford University said: “You’ve got to find what you love,” Jobs said. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.” Yvon Chouinard. An avid climber, Chouinard bought a second-hand forge and began to make his own equipment. Ultimately he founded Patagonia, a manufacturer of high-end outdoor clothing that did $600 million in sales in 2013. Colonel Sanders. He is the inventor of the secret recipe for fried chicken and the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, the KFC fast-food chain. Colonel Sanders in 1952, at the age of 62, after going bankrupt, decided to travel all over the United States to sell his fried chicken recipe to restaurant owners. Before getting his first business deal, Colonel Sanders received 1,000 doors in his face. ONE THOUSAND! The importance of Passion for Us.When Paolo, Fabio, Giovanni, and Cristiano got together to found Linky Innovation, they were a group of friends in their 30s, with an urge of doing something they really cared about.They enjoyed spending time with each other in order to achieve their dreams, together.They were driven by their passion for technology, electric cars, sustainability, design, and mechanics.The idea of creating something high-tech, unique in the world, useful, and meticulously cared for in every detail gave them a driving force, the fuel to overcome all the difficulties and challenges.Fun Fact: In our region in Italy, Le Marche, we have a special word to describe strongly motivated people. The word we use is “Tignoso”, which literally means to be: stubborn, headstrong, damn determined. In short, it means to set yourself a goal and pursue it with such willpower that nothing and no one can deter you from your goal.Conclusions: Have the courage to follow your Passion.To strive for your passion is to be different from the rest.Not everyone has the bravery or the opportunity to embrace their passion. In order to survive, most of us prefer to be practical rather than passionate.Passion is everything. Following your passion is the secret to overcoming the setbacks all entrepreneurs face and it builds resistance against the inevitable naysayers who will question your vision.Do you remember Colonel Sanders? Well, he undoubtedly didn't lack of "tigna".But just imagine if he had surrendered to the 999th closed door.Well, if you're not achieving your goals, it's most likely because you keep giving up too soon.If you’re not passionate about your ideas, nobody else will be.

The year 2021 has been an unpredictable ride through the pandemic and many more difficulties but also full of happy moments and exciting new collaborations.So now, as we embrace the upcoming year, 2022, let us all be positive and cheery with shining spirits and aspirations for the future.Years come and go but our Linky family grows stronger.Click here to watch the video!

Anyone who has ever lived or spent a long time in the city knows that it can sometimes be a pain to be there. High prices, controlled chaos, constant congestion, high crime. Quite often, these are the issues that actually drive people away - they would rather live in the peaceful suburbs or countryside with their Rav 4s and Nissan Altimas.But the city doesn't have to be so tough guys. Not if you have an electric bike to use (shameless plug)!Having an electric bike in the city means you don't have to worry so much about the heavy stuff e.g. car payments, fuel, or, the absolute worst, parking. Rather, all you need is a power outlet, a little storage, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm.There are of course some caveats to riding around the city with an ebike. As you ride more and faster, safety does become a concern, and bike theft is still a serious issue.This guide is meant to alleviate any fears of riding in the city. Think of it as a mini "Ebike urban lifestyle" guide, complete with tips and tricks to being the best urban cyclist possible.Electric bikes were made for the city.So it's about time we made the cities better for electric bikers.Benefits of urban bikingWe’ve gone over and over the benefits of owning an electric bike in this blog, it seems like a hundred times (read our article on why commuting with an ebike is amazing) but it needs to be repeated…Riding an electric bike can change your life for the better in so many ways.In particular, those living or spending a lot of time in the city stand to gain the most from owning an electric bike.For one thing, electric bikes make getting around the city a helluva lot easier. They’re portable, maneuverable, agile, and a lot less expensive to own than some of the alternatives.One could rely solely upon public transport - e.g. the bus, tram, subway, etc - but then you’ll be a slave to the timetables and routes. A lot of cities these days charge an arm and a leg for monthly public transport passes as well.The other option is owning a car, but in the city, cars often become more inconvenient than useful. Aside from the usual expenses, such as insurance, car owners need to worry about traffic, damages, and, most frustratingly, PARKING. Not every residence in the city offers its own parking and trying to find a spot after work in the center can be maddening, to say the least. Monthly parking passes at special, shared lots can also cost a ridiculous amount.Bike owners don’t have to worry about these sorts of issues though. Parking a bike is so much easier than parking a car and you don’t have to worry so much about bus or metro schedules. With the help of a motor as well, ebike owners can travel long distances in the city without even breaking a sweat.It should go without saying as well that riding an electric bike is much better for the environment as well!Choosing the best electric bike for the cityChoosing which electric bike to ride in the city shouldn’t be an arduous decision - most if not all ebikes will make your life easier there.Certain ebikes will be better for urban cyclists though and certain aspects will be more useful.For example, having a comfortable electric bike, one that is sized correctly for your body type, will definitely pay off as you’re most likely going to be riding a lot. Having a properly-sized seat or comfy saddle cover would also be a plus.Among the different kinds of electric bikes to choose from, many would work very well in the city. Electric road bikes, hybrids, cargo bikes, and foldable electric bikes are all great choices. One could even ride an eMTB (electric mountain bike) around town if they had no other choice.It all comes down to convenience as convenience is the thing you need the most when living in the city. Do you use the subway a lot and plan on taking your bike onboard? Having something portable and easy to carry, like a foldable bike, would be the best choice.Are you a diehard urban cyclist who likes to be in the thick of traffic and ride as fast as possible? In that case, you should buy an electric road bike.Perhaps you actually use your bike for work rather than just getting to work, say as a delivery person? Then you would definitely need a cargo bike and a top-of-the-line one at that.These are all potential things to consider when buying an electric bike for the city.But let’s dive a bit deeper now and look more closely and what makes a good urban ebike.PortabilityIt might depend on which city you’re living in but this might be the biggest thing to consider when buying an ebike.Depending on the size of your flat and how busy local pubic transport usually is (if you use it), you’ll want an appropriately sized bike.If you’re living in a spacious apartment with room to spare and tend not to carry your bike onto the bus or into crowded areas, then you can probably get away with a large fixed-frame bike. Conversely, if you live in a New York-style shoebox and are regularly taking your ebike in out of other closed spaces, a lighter, less cumbersome one might be more appropriate.For the urban cyclist, foldable bikes really are amazing. They can fit them into a host of different spaces, from the trunk of an Uber to underneath a bus seat to a closet in the office, and are just easy to pack around. They aren’t the most maneuverable ebike and can feel weird to ride at first due to their smalls wheels, but for the casual bike rider in the city, they’re a great option.Speed, range, and powerWhen it comes to riding an electric bike in the city, speed may not be the thing to focus on. For one thing, the speed limit for most cities is around 20-25 mph or 32-40 km per hour; most urban ebike riders are going to hit that pretty quick. For another, speed can actually be quite dangerous - ebike riders have an increased chance of serious injury partly due to riding faster.When choosing an electric bike for the city, you need a bike that is just fast enough, rather than as fast as possible. Most ebikes offer enough power to do just that - they’ll get you across town and up most hills without faltering.If on the other hand you live in a very hilly city or need to bike long distances, you might actually need an ebike with a more powerful motor and a larger battery.What you should be paying attention to instead of speed is range. Running out of battery power when out and about, whilst not the end of the world, is very inconvenient. You never know either when the next charge will be (always do so at the office).Prioritize battery capacity and range over speed. Understand how your ebike works so you can get the most out of the battery and plan your route if a charging station is needed. Try to buy an ebike that offers a range of at least 50 miles of range and has perhaps a removable battery as well. Having the latter will make charging your ebike much easier.FeaturesWith so much going on, city life can be demanding. It’s no wonder then that most innovation comes from it - people are always looking for new ways to make their lives easier.Ebikes are no exception to this rule as each year new features are being developed to help urban cyclists. And not just improvements on preexisting parts, like bigger batteries and more powerful motors, but completely new ideas.Most ebikes incorporate by now incorporate some kind of computer, which is used to collect riding data and regulate the bike itself. Some have more powerful computers than others.Some ebikes have increased security measures in the form of an internal GPS or locking system. Both are great for those living in rough areas.Others are even pushing the idea of foldable to the next level with new, futuristic designs (see BMW’s here).But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. (The future and self-driving ebikes are still a ways away.)When looking for a good urban ebike, stop to think about these additional features. Being able to sync your bike to an app or track it using GPS may not necessarily be crucial, but depending on what your own needs are, they can still be useful.Getting started - things to remember when riding in the cityOnce you start to really embrace the ebike life and incorporate it into your everyday life, things start to change (for the better). Parking is less of a hassle, bills start disappearing, and traffic becomes observed rather than suffered through.But it’s not such an easy transition that you can just start using an electric bike and everything falls into place. (If that were the case, there would certainly more owners out there!) There are some things that you should be conscious of and actively work on, the most important being… Don’t solely rely on your electric bike - use a combination of it and public transport. Take the latter when it’s more convenient (usually for long distances) and then the former in between stops. This is the best and sometimes fastest way to get around. Keep the level of pedal-assist in mind. It’s easy to keep the bike in high-assistance mode, but using the motorless will allow you to get a good workout on your ebike more often. Study your routes - either for commuting or regular errands - beforehand. Knowing where you’re going will reduce stress and sometimes be safer. Find the charging stations beforehand. The battery is your bike’s Achilles heel. Make sure you know when and where to charge it. Consider carrying a second replacement battery with you just in case. Try to find parking on ground-level and somewhere indoors. Electric bikes are heavy - don’t underestimate how exhausting and demoralizing it can be to carry them up and down the stairs. You don’t need spandex but there are a few mandatory clothing items. Have a packable rain jacket stashed away just in case the weather turns. Avoid billowing garments or accessories. Pant wearers should also remember to roll up the pant leg on the chain side. Carrying stuff - backpacks are your best friendsUnlike car owners, bikers do not have a lot of options when it comes to carrying things. They are, after all, working with a finite amount of space. Unless you have a mega cargo bike or a large rack(s) strapped to the back of the bike, you’re going to need a nice, spacious backpack to survive in the city.A good bike backpack is not necessarily spacious either (try riding with a 65-liter backpack on your back and keep stable). Rather, the best backpacks for urban biking are sleek, ergonomic, and rugged: sleek to increase aerodynamics, ergonomic so you can pack more, and rugged to handle the elements.Most of the major outdoor backpack brands make good bicycle bags, such as Osprey, REI, and Patagonia. Thule is also a well-regarded brand that specializes in bags for cyclists.If you need a serious amount of space beyond what a backpack provides, consider investing in a mountable basket, some panniers, or even a trailer. Having these should be enough to handle larger missions like grocery shopping. People who frequently porter things, such as deliverymen, should consider investing in a specialized cargo bike instead, which generally offers the most packing space possible.Safety - city biking rulesThe key to using your electric bike in the city and not ending up roadkill is awareness: awareness of the road, the rules, and, most crucially, other drivers. As mentioned before, speed often kills. And it’s not necessarily that the biker is going fast and they lose control; rather the motorists aren’t expecting them to be traveling at such high speeds. They then misjudge a turn, an intersection, etc, and accidents occur.To avoid becoming a fatality, you must be aware at all times and do your best to make others aware of your presence. Use hand signs, look at the drivers, communicate as best you can. Doing so will make you much less likely to get in a crash.Consider the following: Know the class of your bike. Class 1 and 2 bikes can remain in dedicated bike lanes. Class 3 bikes need to stay on the road because they travel at higher speeds. Classes are irrelevant in Europe - all ebike motors are limited to 25 kms an hour. Riding on sidewalks is usually frowned upon if not illegal. Make sure the lights and reflectors on your bike are working. Maximize visibility while riding. When riding your electric bike in traffic, stay in the slow lane and respect the rules of the road. Act as you would while driving: don’t weave between traffic, don’t run red lights, and don’t forget to indicate. Respect the other motorists. Riding is cool but no one likes an arrogant bike owner. Don’t be distracted by your phone or the ebike screen. There’s enough going on around as it is. And finally, ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET. Make sure you’re locking your bike up!Every urbanite has a story or knows someone with one...One day they leave their bike outside unlocked. Perhaps they’re feeling a bit more comfortable than usual, perhaps locking it just slipped their mind. Completely unaware and in a state of complete bliss they walk away only to return the next day to great horror. Their bike is gone without a trace.As we’re all aware by now, cities are not always the safest places to be. Most crime, including bicycle theft, happens in denser urban areas. Each year, over 2 million bikes are stolen in the US and 4 million in Europe, which is a staggering amount! As ebikes become more and more popular, thieves are targeting them more and more, drawn by those expensive electronics and motors.Ebike owners need to be extra cautious when living and getting around the city. That means investing in a good bike lock and knowing where to lock your bike up.Always remember the following: Stick to u-locks. Though bulky, these are among the strongest kinds available and are relatively light. Always lock your bike to a solid object and not something that can be broken or cut. Lock your bike up at the frame, never the wheel. A thief can detach the two and then carry the bike away. Remove your ebike battery and screen before walking away. Try and lock the bike up somewhere inside and secure, away from sight. For more tips, read our post about protecting your bike from thieves here.Biking around the city with your familyFor those living in the city with the full package (kids, a partner, perhaps a housepet) riding in the city can be a unique challenge. You not only need to keep yourself safe but an eye on everyone else.Until the kids are ready to ride a bike themselves, you’ll need to mount a child seat on your bike, use a special trailer, or invest in a cargo ebike. A lot of urban bikers prefer trailers because they’re easier to maneuver with, especially with an ebike motor helping out, and offer a bit more protection for the child.Small dogs and pets can also ride around in a trailer if you want to bring them along. Not much else is cuter than seeing a puppy in the backseat either :)Once your kids get a little older, they’ll obviously start to ride bikes on their own. Not every child can or ought to start riding an ebike immediately though. Consider buying a regular bike rather than an ebike for young children and let them learn how to ride first that way. Since you, the adult, will be the only one with a motor, you can also ride quickly should they get out of hand.When the child is ready and able to ride an electric bike*, then look into buying one for them. Buy something lighter, less powerful, and cheaper first so they can get a handle. Upgrade when you feel they are ready.Once your biker crew is together, all that’s left is to have fun! Plan your family bike ride ahead of time (very important), stick to the bike lanes, and ride as a group. Try positioning yourselves so the children are in the middle and the parents are on the outside. That way, the kids will be less exposed and less likely to wander away.* Some countries, such as the UK, actually require children to be a minimum age to ride electric bikes (14 years). In the USA, the rules vary by state (for example the minimum age is 16). Study the local laws first before buying an electric bike for children. Maintaining your ebikeWhen it comes to maintenance, ebikes, and regular bikes are not so different. Sure, there’s a few extra bells and whistles that you’ll probably need a specialist to look at but most of the time you’ll just need to worry about the usual stuff: Keeping your bike tires filled with air. Making sure the chain is properly lubed and oiled up. Checking the brakes to make sure they work. Beyond these, the only other parts you need to worry about are the bike battery and motor. Luckily, neither of these suffer from serious breakage very often. If and when they do fail, it’s best to take your ride to a repair shop that specializes in electric bikes.It should be said that an ebike battery needs to be treated like any other modern battery, that is in a way that makes it last as long as possible. Charge your battery when you can but, for god’s sake, DON’T leave it charging forever (this essentially cripples the battery and limits the amount it can hold long-term). Limit how much you use the pedal-assist and ride using eco mode when possible. Finding the right pedal cadence too will actually charge the battery while you’re riding it.Conclusion - have any city electric biking tips of your own?Are you an urban electric bike owner as well? Do you have any tips on surviving and riding in the city? Let us know in the comment section!Hope you guys have enjoyed this article and are ready to hit the streets! Seriously, once you’ve nailed the lifestyle, having an electric bike in the city is an amazing experience. Riding around, you just feel more in harmony with the urban landscape and more integrated into the fabric of the city.The ebike life isn’t a bad one everyone - join it now!

We've already covered in-depth why you ought to own an electric bike.In this blog post, we're going to focus on one particular benefit of ebiking that is really hard to ignore: health and fitness. It is a well-known fact that riding a bike is good exercise and that it can lead to a myriad of health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular fitness and a lowered chance of premature death to due ailments.But what about ebikes? Can you get fit on an electric bike as well even though they have a motor to help you out?The good news is that yes, riding an electric bike is still good exercise despite the fact that they are assisting you.To get the most out of your ebike though and get the best workout possible, you will need to ride a certain way and adopt a certain lifestyle. It's nothing radical but with a few changes of habit, you can get fit with an electric bike and start to lose weight.Let's dive into the health benefits of electric bike riding and how best to exercise with them right now.Getting fit riding an electric bikeThere are a TON of proven health benefits associated with regular bike riding. We’re going to focus on the biggest one right now: heart health.Cardiovascular health improves greatly with regular bike use. In one study, participants demonstrated increased respiratory function and efficiency after only four weeks of consistent riding. This test was conducted using ebikes as well and not just regular ones.In the long term, regular riding and increased cardio result in a generally improved quality of life as well. People who ride regularly live longer, are less susceptible to diseases - such as cancer - and have an overall lower mortality rate.Because electric bicycles are heavier than regular bikes, they also require a bit of core strength to ride. Riding an electric bike properly requires more stability than usual (otherwise the sensors get confused), and keeping these things steady can be a bit of an ab workout!Biking 30-45 minutes per day seems to be the sweet spot and the amount that allows people to reap the most health benefits. Whether or not these minutes are clocked on the way to work, the grocery store, or during a workout sesh doesn’t really matter. Most health professionals recommend just getting out there and being more active overall. Overly sedentary lifestyles are the real killers in this modern world.Does riding an electric bike help you lose weight?That’s the big question for most people interested in buying an electric bike. Some are in it for the sake of convenience but a huge number of people just want to look better in their birthday suits.So how much weight can you actually lose by riding an electric bike?Well, it depends really on how much you ride, how intensely, and for how long in a single session. Some people estimate that one can burn off around 400-500 calories during a one-hour ride on an electric bike, and, at the moment, that seems to be the rule of thumb.How much weight loss does that 400-500 burn convert to? Well, if you believe in the 3500-calorie standard, riding your ebike an hour each day, 7 days per week, then you stand to lose almost a pound each week, maybe even more if these experts are to be believed.A pound per week can be life-changing! 100 days of riding could result in 100 pounds lost. For a lot of people with unhealthy lifestyles, this could mean the difference between a long, healthy life and a premature death.Those interested in losing weight with an electric bike, will of course need to apply themselves: change their habits, eat well, apply a routine, and stick to a plan. Like any other exercise routine, this may seem daunting, but with the proper mindset, losing weight is absolutely possible, and electric bikes make things so much easier.Electric bike exercise - more convenient, less intenseHere’s the real motivating factor when it comes to using an electric bike for exercising: they’re so damn convenient.Riding an electric bike isn’t the same as riding a regular bike. Thanks to the pedal-assist, ebikes have an easier time handling steep terrain, enable riders to travel longer distances, and accelerate with less effort.Individuals who normally lead a sedentary lifestyle, in particular, stand the most to gain from this extra push.Getting into serious bike riding can be intimidating for some people. It’s not like jumping into a car or a motorbike; you need to be active to ride a bike and willing to put work in. Hills especially can be really demoralizing and I know several people who quit biking just because they didn’t want to deal with them.We have to consider those with injuries and bodily ailments as well. Not everyone can physically ride a bike full tilt, especially the elderly whose deteriorating bones and joints make riding a bike more difficult.But electric biking lowers these hurdles a bit and makes biking riding as a whole more accessible. Those who are concerned that they may not be fit or capable enough to even start now have help. All they need to do is start at a higher pedal-assist mode and then work their way down. In no time, they’ll be riding with little if any assistance from the ebike motor.Except maybe on hills - no one, not even the serious bikers, ever like doing hills.But wait, isn’t riding an electric bike cheating?After reading the above, you might be thinking that, because of the additional assistance, ebikes are not as good as regular bikes when it comes to fitness, that they might be “cheating” in some way.This is not the case: riding an electric bike is NOT cheating, in any way.First, let’s be fair: riding a regular bike will result in more calories burned than an ebike over the same distance. Riding the former will result in about 20-25% more calories burned the latter. This is for obvious reasons: without the pedal-assist, regular riders will have to exert more effort overall than ebike riders, especially on challenging terrain.But that doesn’t mean you can’t ride an electric bike and get fit. Quite the opposite, in fact.A study performed in Europe shows that those who regularly ride ebikes are actually healthier than those who ride regular bikes. This comes down to one big reason: ebikers ride more than regular bikers.Why might someone ride an electric bike more than a regular bike? Because it’s a more reasonable form of transportation. When people are able and willing to ride their ebikes more, they make up for the disparity in caloric burn and end up riding longer.It should also be mentioned that there’s nothing stopping someone from limiting the pedal-assist and only using it sparingly. It doesn’t mean they can’t push themself either - ebike riders can still get their heart rate up and a good workout in. With the extra assistance, it just means that, by the end, they will have done more and gone further.Ebikes are such a convenient form of getting around that they start to become more than just about fitness. They become a means of getting around town, running errands, and commuting to and from work. This last bit, in our and many other experts’ opinions, is crucial when it comes to changing one’s life and really reaping the benefits of ebikes.Get started - exercise with your electric bike while going to workListen, in order to get the most out of your electric bike and to get healthy using it, you need to start using it more. There are SO many ways that you can incorporate bike riding into your everyday life, but the best by far is commuting to work.Commuting to work with an electric bike is a game-changer. Besides being better for the environment and your bank account it is an ENORMOUS opportunity to get some extra exercise.For starters, the average daily commute for bikers is conveniently around 45 minutes in total. Tack on an extra 15 minutes and you’re already on track to losing a pound or more a week (at the outset).Next, consider the amount of time you’re saving. By riding your bike to work, you are essentially doing two things at once: commuting and exercising. By combining the two, you have one less thing to worry about in your daily schedule, which we all know is getting tighter each day.Finally, ebike riders have a lot of control over how much of a workout they actually want to get in. Got a big meeting at the office and don’t want to arrive at work drenched in sweat? Use the pedal-assist to its maximum and cruise in! Feel like your fitness needs improving? Hit a couple of extra hills on the way to work and try climbing them without your trusty motor this time.More and more people are opting to take their ebike to work rather than a car. The number of ebike users is predicted to rise from 200 million to 300 million, according to this report, and we aren’t surprised. Once you start exercising with an electric bike, the ride to work seems a lot less irritating. In fact, you might actually find that you’ll enjoy it more.Not convinced? Read 18 more reasons why biking to work is incredible!The best electric bikes for exerciseThere are a ton of different kinds of ebikes available and, to be frank, it doesn’t really matter which you buy. Most will all offer similar features, at least when it comes to fitness.When buying an electric bike to exercise with, just make sure to consider the following: What kind of riding will you be doing? Depending on what kind of rider you are, you will need a specific kind of ebike. Long-distance riders will want to invest in an electric road or hybrid bike. Commuters can use the same bike but might find their high prices a little too much. A standard city bike or even a foldable bike should be reliable enough for both commuting and exercise. Where will you mostly be riding? People who like to ride on the trails and even those who are particularly hard on their ebike while exercising should get an eMTB (electric mountain bike). Those who intend on traveling with their ebike should invest in a hybrid. Those who stick to the roads and don’t plan on traveling vast distances will have the most options when it comes to choosing a bike. How often will you be riding? This is a big factor when it comes to the costs of an ebike. Cheaper models will be worn down and break much quicker. If you’re exercising with an ebike every day, then expect more wear and tear. Spend at $1500 on a good bike, take good care of it, and it will last for years. Be sure to check out the selection at the official Linky store! All of our bikes are perfectly capable of being used for common fitness routines and feature enough riding modes for all levels of riders.Tips for getting more out of your electric bike workoutReady to take your electric bike fitness routine to the next level? Here are some ways you can more out of your bike and really start to burn those calories.#1 Find the right riding modeUsually, ebikes have a separate set of gears and riding modes that need to be set in conjunction.The gears, like regular bikes, determine the resistance and the rate at which the bike wheel turns. Riding modes dictate how much the motor is going to help you in applying force to the gears (pedaling).Finding the right balance between gears and riding modes is crucial, not just for exercising with an electric bike but also for casual riding. Riding in a gear that is too low on level terrain will result in one just spinning the pedals and going nowhere fast. On the other hand, using a high gear on an incline will require a lot of effort, especially if your riding mode is set to low-assistance or off.Get to know your electric bicycle. Learn about its gears and riding modes and know when to use them. If you’re seriously into fitness you may not use the pedal assistance at all, outside of some difficult terrain.#2 Only use pedal assist on hillsAs just previously stated, many people may not use the motor on an ebike at all. This means you will be using more human power and battery power, resulting in more effort and calories burned.That being said, no one is going to judge you for enlisting a little help on those steep hills. Even the most experienced riders let out a little sigh when they a big incline coming up ahead.Save your strength - use the pedal assist on hills. Not gassing yourself on them means that you’ll have more energy for the rest of the ride. You can burn just as many calories on flat ground.#3 Incorporate riding into your daily routineWe’ve already covered in detail why commuting is one of the best ways to use an ebike in your everyday life, but that’s not the only option. There are dozens of opportunities to ride one in the course of a day - each one is a chance to burn a few extra caloriesHere are some ideas on to use your electric bike more often: Go grocery shopping or run errands - make sure you have a bike basket installed. Pick up the kids from school - you can find many child carriers on Amazon. Go shopping - bike riders actually contribute significantly to local economies because they are less rushed than motorists and tend to browse more. Visit friends and family - this is a good chance to show off your shiny new ebike. You might even get the whole family to ride with you. The more you use your ebike, the healthier you will become. Stay active every chance you get and your quality of life will improve dramatically.#4 Have a regimentLet’s be honest with ourselves for a moment: losing weight isn’t always easy. Gurus and diet pill salesmen promise that you can do so just by taking this one simple supplement or doing this one simple activity.Being fit requires planning and willpower. You need to find a routine that works best for you and then stick to it. It’s not the case that you can just ride your bike every once in a while and then expect to be in peak shape. You need to be consistent; you need to have a regiment.Having a regiment means riding your bike a certain amount each day and each week. Try 30 minutes every, then work your way up to an hour. Eventually, you’ll be riding for hours at a time.Altering your diet is also a proven way to lose weight and improve overall health. Cut out the red meat and have a more vegetable-based diet - you’ll also be doing the environment a favor as well.#5 Consider traveling with your ebike or going on a cycle tourIt happens all the time: we find a routine back home, stick to it, and the moment we go on vacation, it all goes out the window. We gorge ourselves, drink too much, and all those hard-fought pounds are piled back on.Why not keep the routine going by taking a more active holiday?Bike tours are a great way to stay in shape whilst experiencing new and epic locations. They range in intensity and style from relaxed itineraries in enchanting European cities to full-blown expeditions in remote lands. Africa and Central Asia are particularly exciting places that are growing in popularity at the moment.Bike tours are often all-inclusive and cover most of the usual vacation expenses, such as lodging, food, and transport. If you wanted to cut costs, it is possible to self-organize a trip as well. Check out our guide on bike touring for more information.Reward your health: keep fit by riding an ebikeThe health benefits of bike riding are proven and numerous. Cardiovascular health improves with as little as 30 minutes of riding each day. Bump those numbers up to an hour and the pounds will start to melt off.If there’s one thing that I want readers to take away from this article though, it’s that ebikes AREN’T cheating - you can still exercise with an electric bike. Yes, riding a regular bike is still - mile-for-mile - a better workout but not by much. In order to get the same workout, you just need to ride a bit more.Riding an electric bike is so much more convenient than a regular one though. Long distances and hills are much less intimidating with a motor helping out and with these out of the people are able to enjoy their rides more. In fact, electric bike riders are generally healthier than regular bike riders because they’re riding so much more.So make a change in your life: start using your electric bike for exercising and watch your quality of life exponentially improve. Find reasons to ride your ebike more and ride hard. Those pounds and illnesses don’t stand a chance.Do you have a particular electric bike workout or habit that you find particularly effective? Leave a comment below and let us know what it is!