Although e-bikes cost more than regular bikes, they are totally worth it. The initial cost of buying an electric bike is higher, but the cost of recharging is nothing compared to the cost of filling up a car with gas. Brough says to keep in mind that e-bike components can wear out faster, due to the increased stress caused by the motor, so don’t be too surprised if the chain and brake pads need to be replaced more often. Deer Valley Utah is currently still a ski resort, but snowboarding is available almost everywhere else, and it seems to me that the same will be true of electric bikes.
Just as snowboards were banned at ski resorts like Vail Colorado in the 80’s, electric bikes are still in their infancy. In my opinion, the real advantage of electric bikes is efficiency when climbing hills or fighting the wind, combined with greater range. Compared to cars and motorcycles, ebikes consume very small amounts of energy and use absolutely no oil or gas. The cost of buying and using a car just to commute to work is astronomical compared to the cost of buying and using an electric bike. Will electric bikes get cheaper? Hopefully, yes..
Cars and ebikes are not investments, they are tools or toys that depreciate with use, their true value depends largely on the environment and the task being performed or the owner’s entertainment preferences. The question of whether an electric bike is worth the money often assumes that an electric bike costs more than a regular bike. For the purest experience, purpose-built electric bikes (bikes that were designed and sold as electric, not converted later) are best. Obviously, I’m a big fan of the technology and it’s true that the product range has grown thanks in large part to widespread acceptance in Asia and Europe, but there are a few things that ebikes still struggle with.
Beyond the initial purchase, eBikes are relatively inexpensive to maintain, especially compared to cars and motorcycles. I can say right off the bat that an e-bike is worth it financially speaking if it replaces a car. Buying an electric bike should be as much a purchase in a bike shop as it is a product in itself. Whether you’ve been considering trading in your standard bike for an electric bike, buying one as a second rider or using it to get back on a bike after a period of absence, here are the reasons why you should take the plunge.