Not everyone can bike to work if they want to cut down on their environmental impact. Some commutes are simply too long to rely on a regular bicycle alone. Luckily, another option exists to help protect our planet without putting too much strain on the commuter. E-bikes, or electric bikes, represent a great middle-ground for people who want to reduce their overall emissions. Here’s how e-bikes help to protect the environment and why it’s a good idea to consider one for yourself.
Zero Direct Emissions
The most obvious way that e-bikes help protect the environment is by reducing carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. While you can always make an argument that anything other than walking creates some carbon emissions, an e-bike’s effect on the environment is minuscule compared to that of an automobile. The great part is that it does this while still being fast and convenient for getting from one place to another.
Less Crowded Roads
You don’t just reduce your own carbon emissions by switching to an e-bike; you also help reduce the emissions of others by removing yourself from the general flow of traffic. The more people there are who switch to alternative forms of transportation, the less packed roads become. Also, the remaining automobiles won’t spend as much time stuck in that traffic. Consequently, cars will release fewer greenhouse gases into the air.
Efficient Batteries
Whether you buy an e-bike straight from a manufacturer or use a conversion kit on a regular bike, you switch to a very efficient battery-powered system rather than one that relies on fossil fuels. Of course, charging a battery does use electricity that could come from burning coal. But renewable sources of energy are on the rise and will eventually replace coal.
Off-Peak Battery Charging
You must charge your e-bike to continue using it, but most people plug their e-bikes in to charge during off-peak hours. This allows people to use any excess electricity generated by power plants that would otherwise go to waste. Furthermore, it doesn’t put any extra strain on the power grid that they connect to. When you charge your e-bike during these off-peak hours, charging them won’t affect the environment much. These hours are usually later in the day or night.
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