e-bikes and managing type 2 diabetes

[WallisOnline]

An interesting view of e-bike riding and managing diabetes type 2 - granted it was a small sample size (only 16 people) but e-bikes are a great choice for people who want to exercise but struggle without assistance. Would be good if a bigger study of this was done and if the findings were similar then the NHS eventually gave the possibility of doctors being able to "prescribe" e-bikes or a similar kind of scheme to make them available to people who wanted/needed it once diagnosed, in the same way I believe they can give help with accessing certain weight loss programmes etc.

A University of Bristol study into the enjoyment levels of e-bike riding among adults with type 2 diabetes has found that “engaging in e-cycling was perceived as an easier way of managing their diabetes than diet or other types of exercise, largely due to the enjoyment of riding”.

Link to the media article summarising the study

E-bike riding helps adults manage type 2 diabetes, study finds

A University of Bristol study into the enjoyment levels of e-bike riding among adults with type 2 diabetes has found that “engaging in e-cycling was perceived as an easier way of managing their diabetes than diet or other types of exercise, largely due to the enjoyment of riding”. The...

ebiketips.road.cc

Link to the study for a more detailed output for those interested:

Frontiers | ‘‘I felt marvellous e-cycling. If I had long hair I would have flicked it”: a qualitative investigation of the factors associated with e-cycling engagement among adults with type 2 diabetes

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is a key component in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, this population have low rates of PA engagement. Electrica...

www.frontiersin.org

 

[RichardA]

E-bikes are very good once you get older, been cycling for years, but in 2016 my right knee started hurting on long hills so I bought a recumbent trike later I put a motor on it and a new world opened up again no more pain on hills and as long as there is power in the battery I'm OK for longer rides.
What is sad is that abled bodied people are buying these now which I think is wrong as they could get more benefit in a normal bike without the expence, but each to their own and when the battery dies and they do will just get left in the shed to rust-in-peace. My batterys are £400 a time and since 2016 to now have gone though four of them, but covered thousands of miles.

 

[helli]

What is sad is that abled bodied people are buying these now which I think is wrong as they could get more benefit in a normal bike without the expence,

I disagree.
I currently have a "normal" bike but as I live in a very hilly area, I do not cycle as much as I would like.
I am able bodied and pretty fit but considering an e-bike. This will make my cycle trips more enjoyable whilst still providing plenty of exercise: the motor on a legal e-bike provides assistance but not you still have to pedal. This is why you do not need a driving license to ride an e-bike.

I certainly do not consider this sad.

 

[Val1133]

I disagree.
I currently have a "normal" bike but as I live in a very hilly area, I do not cycle as much as I would like.
I am able bodied and pretty fit but considering an e-bike. This will make my cycle trips more enjoyable whilst still providing plenty of exercise: the motor on a legal e-bike provides assistance but not you still have to pedal. This is why you do not need a driving license to ride an e-bike.

I certainly do not consider this sad.

I think you will not be disappointed if you do go ahead and get an e-bike.

Since June I have cycled more than 700 miles on mine and I absolutely love it.

I have even got a spare battery so that I can go for longer distances. It is by far the best thing I have bought in a long time.

Go for it !

 

[Barrowman]

I totally agree with @Val1133 I wouldn't be without mine now with the arthritis in my right knee and hip, I'm fine
peddling on the flat but when it comes to hills I need that extra power of the motor to get me up without any
pain. You won't be disappointed if you get one I'm sure.
.

 

[MrPixels]

An interesting view of e-bike riding and managing diabetes type 2 - granted it was a small sample size (only 16 people) but e-bikes are a great choice for people who want to exercise but struggle without assistance. Would be good if a bigger study of this was done and if the findings were similar then the NHS eventually gave the possibility of doctors being able to "prescribe" e-bikes or a similar kind of scheme to make them available to people who wanted/needed it once diagnosed, in the same way I believe they can give help with accessing certain weight loss programmes etc.

A University of Bristol study into the enjoyment levels of e-bike riding among adults with type 2 diabetes has found that “engaging in e-cycling was perceived as an easier way of managing their diabetes than diet or other types of exercise, largely due to the enjoyment of riding”.

Link to the media article summarising the study

E-bike riding helps adults manage type 2 diabetes, study finds

A University of Bristol study into the enjoyment levels of e-bike riding among adults with type 2 diabetes has found that “engaging in e-cycling was perceived as an easier way of managing their diabetes than diet or other types of exercise, largely due to the enjoyment of riding”. The...

ebiketips.road.cc

Link to the study for a more detailed output for those interested:

Frontiers | ‘‘I felt marvellous e-cycling. If I had long hair I would have flicked it”: a qualitative investigation of the factors associated with e-cycling engagement among adults with type 2 diabetes

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is a key component in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, this population have low rates of PA engagement. Electrica...

www.frontiersin.org

I have one, but have to admit I've never switched it on since I got it...

 

[Val1133]

I have one, but have to admit I've never switched it on since I got it...

Go for it! Pick a dry day (if you can find one, ) and try it out. Go to the end of the drive/street and back to get a feel for the difference between an e-bike and an ordinary bike.

When I first got mine, I hadn't cycled for about 12 years and was apprehensive about going out in the traffic.

The first time I went out, I cycled to the pharmacist and back.... a round trip of 15-20 mins. The next time I cycled to the pharmacist, but took a slightly longer route home. The next time I went further. My longest journey has been about 40 miles - this is when the spare battery comes in handy.

I wear a high viz jacket and have panniers on my bike which are also high viz. So there is no excuse for other road users not seeing me.

Get out there and enjoy the freedom and fresh air 🙂