With time, eBikes are becoming more and more popular, and there are several explanations for this. These bikes are speedy, easy to ride, and great for the environment.
Thanks to its integrated motor, an eBike can take you to your destination in less time than a regular bike, and without all the added pedaling. Here, we’ll talk about the speed of eBikes and how long it will take you to go 10 miles on an electric bike.
Electric Bikes vs Bicycles vs On Foot
| Traveling Mode | Time to Cover 10 Miles |
| Electric bike | 0:50 hours |
| Bicycle | 1:33 hours |
| On foot | 3:20 hours |
An electric bike has an average speed of 12 miles per hour. This number helps us determine that an eBike takes approximately 50 minutes to travel 10 miles. An eBike’s speed is affected by various factors like the wind, the load on the bike, and the kind of terrain one rides on. We’ll discuss all these factors in the upcoming paragraphs. We will also shed light on why eBikes are better for longer rides.
Traveling 10 Miles on an Electric Bike
eBikes have become popular because they give cyclists the benefits of riding a bike without the extra effort. According to research by Portland University, a growing number of people are switching to eBikes, as they enable riders to travel longer distances while exploring hilly areas.
Why Is an eBike a Good Idea for a 10-Mile Ride?
A 10-mile ride can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you are riding a regular bicycle with no motor, no pedal assist, and no battery. Fortunately, an electric bike makes things easier for riders, especially those who need to cover long distances. However, there are various other benefits – like convenience.
Because an electric bike has a motor, the rider doesn’t need to pedal as hard to move it forward. In fact, the motor makes pedaling easier. As a result, longer rides don’t seem to take as much out of you in terms of strength and stamina.
eBikes vs Bicycles
The motors are the main difference between eBikes and their traditional counterparts. However, this motor makes a world of difference to people who choose to ride eBikes. Here’s what you need to know.
Efficiency
Suppose you are using a bike to get to work or school. A normal bicycle won’t get you there as quickly as an eBike. With a conventional bike, you’ll have to pedal, which will tire you eventually.
With an eBike, you can engage the pedal-assist feature, which adds to your pedaling power, thus keeping your legs comfortable. With an eBike, you have the option to increase the pedal assist, which allows you to reach your location much quicker (and prevents you from being a sweaty mess when you get there).
Fitness
Some people ride bicycles to get fit. However, there is a common misconception about electric bikes when it comes to the fitness benefits they offer. People assume that riding an eBike is less beneficial than riding a regular bike because it has a motor to assist the driver, and doesn’t require too much effort to pedal.
The good news is an electric bike provides similar, if not the same, benefits as traditional biking. According to research in the National Library of Medicine, outdoor exercises like biking can significantly improve a person’s mental processes while keeping them fit, irrespective of the type of bike they ride.
Parts
A conventional bike and an eBike have the same parts, except for the electrical components of an eBike. An eBike has a motor and a battery you can recharge. As long as the battery is charged, the motor will work whenever you use the pedals, making your ride smoother.
How Fast Is an eBike Compared to a Regular Bike?
Speed is another factor that distinguishes an eBike from a regular bicycle. As discussed above, an eBike can travel at about 12 miles per hour. Conversely, a regular bike goes about 6.6 miles per hour.
That said, an eBike will save you about an hour of traveling. Let’s put this into perspective and calculate the amount of time a regular bicycle needs to reach 10 miles.
The time needed to cover 10 miles, given that the average speed of a regular bike is 6mph:
The answer is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What Are the Factors Affecting the Speed of an eBike?
Weight
The amount of weight mounted on an eBike affects its speed and its performance. The heavier the load, the more drag you will have. This added weight makes your eBike slower, but it also causes the motor to work harder, which results in the battery discharging a lot quicker.
It is a lot like trying to push a cart forward. If the cart is empty, you won’t have to spend a lot of energy trying to move it. However, a cart that’s full will take considerably more strength to push, and it will also move slower.
The same basic principle applies to an eBike. When its load is high, its electrical system is forced into working harder, which slows down the speed.
Wind
Wind is another factor affecting the way we ride an eBike.
Crosswinds, or winds blowing in the opposite direction to the cyclist, increase the drag, which decreases the bike’s speed, especially if you are going strictly against the wind.
On the other hand, if you’re riding with the wind, you’ll pick up speed, which means the bike will have to work less, saving battery life.
Conditions of the Terrain
eBikes are a great way to ride on hilly roads. However, going uphill can still decrease your speed. While riding uphill, you’re working against gravity. This force of gravity will act on your bike, pulling it down, which results in slower speeds.
There are two things to keep in mind if you’re looking to ride on uneven and hilly terrain. First of all, the tires should have ample pressure, and the chain should be properly lubricated.
Improper tire pressure will increase friction and drag, thus making the bike work harder than necessary, which is bad for the eBike’s battery. Similarly, a poorly lubricated chain will also result in friction, further leading to drag.
Oiling a chain can be challenging for some people, so here’s what you need to know in case you’d like to go the DIY route. First of all, clean the chain with a cloth or a hard-bristled brush to remove the dirt, debris, and grime. Then, oil the chain or have it professionally lubricated by a dealer.
Wrapping Up
As discussed above, the average speed of an electric bike is 12 miles per hour. This is much faster than a regular bicycle, which doesn’t go beyond 6.6 miles an hour at full speed unless you really pedal hard. As a result, an eBike saves you from all the excessive sweating.
To reach the 10-mile mark, it will take an eBike a total of 50 minutes. A regular bicycle offers one hour and 30 minutes for a 10-mile ride. If you’re looking to get to your destination as quickly as possible, an eBike is by far the better option.
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