So, just what is an electric bike?

This type of vehicle is a bicycle that can operate on either human power or electric power for pedaling. When electric power is kicked in, the bike can travel at speeds that exceed 20 miles per hour and do so without eating up gasoline or creating emissions in the process. More efficient than a standard bike, but not as costly as a true scooter or motorcycle, the electric bicycle presents a best-of-both-worlds situation for users.

There are a number of advantages that can go along with using an electric bike for short-distance commutes. They include:

The power – Electric bicycles can function exactly like a bike and be used solely as such. When there is a need for an extra power boost, however, these machines can provide. For example, a rider can use personal pedal power for an entire trip, but kick on the electric to make climbing a hill easier on the legs and lungs. This makes the electric bike well suited for day-to-day commuting, exercise and more.  The safety – Electric bikes offer all the safety features of a regular bike with a little twist. They have the power to get out of their own way or a car’s when the need arises. This is a big positive for bicycle riders in high-traffic areas.  The operational and purchase expenses – Electric bikes are fairly reasonable to purchase and they do not cost much to operation. Insurance is generally not needed to ride these machines and there is no worry about having to pay at the pump. What’s more; electric bikes tend to hold their value quite nicely for resale. The green factor – Electric bikes are an excellent alternative for the environment. They do not require gasoline and they do not produce emissions. This makes using an electric bike to replace vehicle transit an excellent choice for reducing personal carbon footprints. If an electric bike happens to pull its power from solar energy, the green factor and sustainability can be even more impressive. The speed – Electric bikes can travel faster than standard bicycles and do so without forcing the rider to break a sweat. Electric power, for example, can be used to get to work without messing up a professional look. On the way home, pedal power can come into play for a bit of exercise.

The electric bike is an alternative transportation machine that can make commuting a pleasure. Operating on people or electric power, this low-impact machine is fast becoming a popular replacement for cars for short-distance transit. The versatility of this type of bike is hard to top.

There are two basic types of exercise bikes, the upright and the recumbent. An upright is what most people think of when they think of exercise bikes. The upright is closest to a regular bike, narrow saddle, pedals below the rider, handle bars out front. On the other hand, a recumbent exercise bike has a wider seat with a small back support. The pedals are out front, and the rider is in a reclined position. Both bikes have good and bad points as we shall see.

The traditional setup of an upright bike allows the rider to more closely simulate an actual bike ride than possible with a recumbent. The rider is able to stand, assume a race crouch, or a neutral position. Trouble is, if the rider has any sort of back problems, especially lower back, an upright can irritate the condition leading to worse problems. An upright is more difficult to get on and off of because of a higher proximity to the ground. This can be problematic for older or overweight people. An upright takes up less room than a recumbent. You may want to keep this in mind if your exercise area is on the small side.

A recumbent exercise bike is easier on riders with lower back troubles, and is lower to the ground, allowing riders that have difficulties getting on an upright to still be able to get a workout on an exercise bike. Don’t let the recumbents seemingly easier ride make you think you’re not getting a total workout; you are. a recumbent does have a larger footprint, keep this in mind when deciding where to put your workout gear.

Exercise bikes have come a long way from the simple, noisy, boring rides they once were. Modern bikes have a dizzying array of electronics that allow you to program a ride that simulates hills and other riding conditions. Most bikes, both upright and recumbent, now come with a sophisticated control panel that will keep you updated on your workout by giving you feedback on such items as heart rate, calories burned, speed, distance, and watts. The resistance system on most exercise bikes is magnetic. The bikes take advantage of a magnets ability to repel and attract to change resistance on the fly, enabling the rider to experience real time varying conditions. This type of resistance also gives the bikes whisper quiet operation.

An exercise bike workout is a excellent way to receive both cardio and aerobic workouts as well as leg and back muscle strength. Unlike a treadmill or roadwork, an exercise bike will not jar your joints, the workouts are very low impact. In addition to the basic types, a dual action bike is available. These bikes have handlebars linked to the drive system so you get an arm and upper body workout at the same time as your lower body workout.

Deals on exercise bikes can be found both on and off line. Make sure to do a little homework on the party you are buying from. Used bikes can be found on auction sites like Ebay, or specialty stores like Second Wind. Another source to consider is buying used bikes from a fitness center when they upgrade. You may be able to get a club quality bike for a good price.