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Leibniz University recommends commuting by e-bike: Healthy for people and the climate

Not just for the lazy: Riding a pedelec can reduce the risk of heart attack by 40 percent, just like regular cycling. Researchers from Leibniz University have proven in a large study with the BMVD that e-bikes are suitable as a universal problem solver for health and climate. Clear recommendation: Pedelec instead of car.

Ultimate problem solver: Riding e-bikes is good for health and the environment, as proven by a large study from the University of Hanover. | Photo: Cowboy
Ultimate problem solver: Riding e-bikes is good for health and the environment, as proven by a large study from the University of Hanover. | Photo: Cowboy
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Johannes Reichel

In a large-scale study, Leibniz University Hannover, the Medical University, and the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVD) investigated how healthy riding a pedelec is and came to clear conclusions. Regular pedaling, despite electrical assistance, can reduce the risk of heart attack by 40 percent, similar to normal cycling, if one pedals supported for 12 to 15 kilometers daily. Data from 1,250 e-bike riders and 629 regular cyclists were evaluated. Ultimately, the heart rate of e-bikers was only five beats lower than that of conventional cyclists, reports the responsible sports medicine professor Uwe Tegtbur to the Spiegel, who has been working on the study since 2017.

"E-bike riding is sport. Our gain of knowledge is clear," Tegtbur explains to the medium.

The effect arises because e-bike riders must constantly pedal and be challenged by their bike. Depending on their training condition, they travel at 60 to 80 percent of their maximum heart rate, which positively affects the cardiovascular system. Additionally, the risk of overweight, hypertension, and sugar and fat metabolism disorders decreases by around 50 percent, and the cancer risk by 30 percent.

Multiple effects on health

A total of 58,833 rides were evaluated, 34,438 by pedelec riders and 24,065 by conventional cyclists. On average, bikers spent 135 minutes per week in the saddle throughout the year. It can be seamlessly proven that e-biking is just as excellent cardiovascular training as normal cycling. Additionally, it lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of fatty liver and dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Cycling, as an endurance sport, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the physician further states.

Integrate biking into everyday life

Cycling also reduces stress levels, increases cognitive performance and blood circulation. The joints receive arthritis protection, bone density increases, and the risk of osteoporosis decreases. The happiness hormone serotonin is also released. He recommended moderate pedaling as ideal. Total exhaustion can even be counterproductive, he warned. Of course, similar effects can also be achieved in the gym. Nevertheless, the physician recommended integrating the bike into everyday life, as it is indeed an everyday item to get from A to B.

"I advise Germans to leave their cars whenever possible and switch to e-bikes. Already today, many e-bikers commute 5 to 20 kilometers to work," Tegtbur explained.

Additionally, it also protects the climate, as Tegtbur points out by referring to a calculation by the BMVD. By using bicycles, up to four million tons of CO2 could be saved annually compared to 2017. This also leads to lower noise pollution as well as a decrease in physical and mental illnesses. Cycling is like a medication in its effect, the physician enthuses.

Translated automatically from German.
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