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Cycling 2.0: How the e-bike helps burn calories!

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular. And it's no wonder: they combine the practical advantages of cycling with additional motor support, which makes steep climbs easy and the commute to work a relaxing ride.

But what about the calorie consumption when riding an e-bike?

Von Fabian Huber  |  7 minutes read time

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About the author Fabian Huber

Fabian founded MYVELO together with Vincent. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: May 17, 2024  |  Updated: June 10, 2024

Can this relaxed form of locomotion really make a significant contribution to weight loss?

To answer this question, we delve deep into the world of biomechanics and metabolic processes. We explain how the body burns calories, what role the basal metabolic rate plays and how strong muscles contribute to this. Motor-assisted exercise also has advantages that may not be immediately apparent at first.

The Basics of Calorie Consumption When Riding an E-Bike

When you think of riding an e-bike, you probably imagine a relaxing ride that requires little physical exertion. But did you know that riding an e-bike is also an effective way to burn calories? Yes, it's true!

E-bikes are equipped with an electric motor that supports your pedaling. But that doesn't mean you don't have to put in any physical effort. In fact, riding an e-bike can increase your calorie consumption considerably, depending on how much support you use from the motor. A study by the University of Basel, for example, showed that an e-bike rider burns an average of around 300 calories per hour.

The most important factors that influence calorie consumption when riding an e-bike are:

  • the speed: the faster you go, the more calories you burn.
  • the terrain: Riding uphill burns more calories than flat terrain.
  • Weight: Heavier people burn more calories than lighter ones.
  • the support level: the less motor support, the higher the calorie consumption.

Of course, it's important that you always ride safely and responsibly, regardless of how many calories you want to burn. Remember that riding an e-bike also has other health benefits, such as improving your endurance and heart health. This way, you can improve your fitness while having fun and enjoying the surroundings.
So the basics of calorie burn when riding an e-bike aren't that complicated. With a little knowledge and awareness, you can use your rides effectively to achieve your fitness goals. And the best part? You'll have a lot of fun doing it too!

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How the support levels of the e-bike affect calorie consumption

When riding an e-bike, the question of how the different support levels affect calorie consumption always comes up. It is important to understand that the calorie consumption on an e-bike depends essentially on the physical exertion. For example, if you ride at a low support level, this means more physical exertion and therefore also a higher calorie consumption.
The support levels of an e-bike can be divided into three categories:

  • Low: This is a low level of pedal assistance. You have to use more force to move the bike, which leads to more calories burned.
  • Medium: This level offers moderate support. It is ideal for longer rides where you want to find a balance between endurance and calorie burn.
  • High: With high support, the motor does most of the work. This reduces your calorie consumption but allows for higher speeds and effortless uphill rides.

It is also important to note that e-bikes are usually throttled at 25 km/h. This means that the motor assistance decreases at this speed. So to go faster, you have to use more of your own power, which in turn increases the calorie burn.
In conclusion, you can influence your calorie consumption when riding an e-bike by consciously selecting the level of support. The more you pedal, the more calories you will burn.

Comparison: Calorie consumption on an e-bike versus a traditional bike

Calorie burn is a key factor when choosing between an e-bike and a traditional bike. Many people think that e-bikes are only for those who are physically unable to ride a traditional bike. However, this is not the case. In fact, e-bikes can actually increase calorie burn as they encourage you to ride more often and for longer. A study by TÜV Rheinland found that one hour of moderate cycling on an e-bike burns around 300 calories, while the same activity on a traditional bike burns around 400 calories. The main factors that affect calorie burn are:

  • The intensity of the ride: The higher the intensity, the more calories are burned.
  • The weight of the rider: the heavier you are, the more calories you burn.
  • The topography: Riding uphill burns more calories than flat terrain.

Although the traditional bike burns more calories, the e-bike also has its advantages. It allows for longer rides and helps prevent muscle fatigue and injuries. They can also be an effective solution for people who are just starting to exercise or have health limitations. Remember that the choice between an e-bike and a traditional bike ultimately depends on your personal fitness goals and preferences.

calorie consumption with the e-bike

Optimal route selection and driving style for maximum calorie consumption

Do you cycle regularly and want to burn as many calories as possible? Then you should optimize both your choice of route and your riding style. The choice of route plays a decisive role in calorie consumption. The following points should be considered:

  • Terrain: Uneven routes with climbs and descents require more effort and burn more calories than flat routes.
  • Surface conditions: Gravel or sandy paths require more strength than asphalt paths and therefore lead to a higher calorie consumption.
  • Wind and weather: Headwind and bad weather increase resistance and thus energy consumption.
Your riding style also has a big influence on calorie consumption. High intensity and speed lead to higher calorie consumption. But moderate riding with regular intervals can also be effective. Here are three tips to optimize your riding style:
  • Interval training: Alternate between periods of high intensity and recovery phases.
  • Constant pedaling: Try to keep moving constantly and not let it roll.
  • Good posture: An upright posture can improve efficiency and burn more calories.

By choosing the right route and riding style, you can maximize your calorie consumption and make your cycling training more effective. It's worth investing a little time in planning and trying out different routes and riding styles. Because cycling should not only be fun, but also contribute to fitness.

The influence of weight and fitness level on energy consumption

Our body's energy needs depend on many factors, especially weight and fitness level. Your weight plays a crucial role because a higher body weight requires more energy to maintain necessary body functions. Here's a simple equation: More mass means more energy needs.

At the same time, your fitness level also has a significant influence on your energy requirements. A well-trained body burns more calories, even when at rest. Regular training increases your basal metabolic rate and thus increases your energy requirements. Some concrete figures: A study by the University of Colorado showed that trained people burn an average of 7% more calories than untrained people.

In addition, here are three action-oriented tips to increase energy consumption:

  1. Weight management: Try to maintain a healthy body weight.
  2. Regular exercise: An active lifestyle helps increase your basal metabolic rate.
  3. Strength training: Muscle burns more calories than fat tissue, even at rest.

In summary, weight and fitness level are key variables that affect energy needs. Conscious control of these factors can help optimize your energy needs and thus achieve health benefits. It is important that all measures to increase energy needs are integrated into a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Tips for increasing calorie consumption on the e-bike

E-bikes are an efficient way to improve your fitness while having fun. With the right tips, you can significantly increase your calorie consumption on the e-bike:

  1. "Pedal power": Use the e-bike's assistance only minimally. The more you pedal, the more calories you burn.
  2. "Calculate altitude": Choose a hilly route. Riding uphill is more strenuous and increases your calorie burn.
  3. "Optimize your riding technique": An efficient riding technique allows you to burn more calories. This includes regularly changing position and varying your cadence.
  4. "Regularity counts": Try to ride your e-bike regularly. The more often you ride, the more you will improve your endurance and increase your calorie consumption.
  5. "Interval training": ride in intervals, i.e. alternating between fast and slow. This is particularly effective for burning a lot of calories.
  6. "Add weight": Add extra weight, e.g. by adding a backpack. More weight means more resistance and therefore more calories burned.

With these tips, you can make the most of your e-bike's potential and reach your fitness goals faster. However, it is always important to listen to your body and avoid overexertion. Enjoy your workout!

Summary: E-bike as an effective tool for burning calories

E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular, not only as an environmentally friendly alternative to cars, but also as an effective way to burn calories. But how exactly does riding an e-bike help burn calories and why is it more effective than riding a traditional bike? First of all, riding an e-bike requires physical exertion. Despite the electrical support, muscle strength and endurance are required, especially on inclines or longer distances. For example, a study by the University of Colorado Boulder shows that e-bike riders burn an average of around 450 calories per hour, while traditional cyclists burn around 550 calories. At first glance, this may seem like an advantage for the traditional bike, but there are a few factors to consider:

  1. With an e-bike you often cover longer distances and therefore ride for longer overall, which increases calorie burning.
  2. The electric assistance makes it possible to maintain a faster pace, which also burns more calories.
  3. Riding an e-bike is often more fun and therefore more motivating to exercise regularly than traditional cycling.
In addition, riding an e-bike can also serve as a gentle workout for people with health restrictions, as it is less stressful on the joints and cardiovascular system. Therefore, it can also be an effective means of losing weight and improving overall fitness.

Conclusion

In summary, the e-bike is an effective way to burn calories. The support levels, route choice and riding style can have a significant impact on calorie consumption. Weight and fitness level also play a role. Despite the motorized support, the e-bike burns a surprising amount of calories if you use it correctly. Therefore, it can be a good addition to a healthy lifestyle. Now it's time to put the tips into practice and get active.

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