Yes — e-bikes are good exercise. Studies consistently show e-bike riders reach moderate-intensity cardio, burn real calories, and ride more often and for longer than they would on a regular bike. You’re still pedalling; the motor just removes the dread of hills and headwinds.
Are e-bikes good exercise? Here’s the evidence
They genuinely are. A widely cited University of Colorado Boulder study had non-exercisers ride e-bikes about 40 minutes, three times a week — within a month their cardiovascular fitness and blood-sugar control measurably improved. Research from Brigham Young University found e-bike riders’ heart rates sat in the moderate-intensity zone, around 90% of what they reached on a conventional mountain bike. Pedal-assist lowers the effort per metre, but you cover more ground, so the total workload stays genuinely healthy.
Why an e-bike can be better exercise than a normal bike
The best exercise is the one you actually do. In NSW, legal e-bikes cut their motor at 25 km/h (pedal-assist, up to 500W (dropping to 250W with EN 15194 certification from 1 March 2029)), so above that speed and on every climb you’re powering yourself. Because the barrier to riding is lower — no arriving at work drenched, no dread of the hill home — people on e-bikes ride more days each week and take longer trips. Frequent moderate movement beats the occasional punishing ride you skip half the time.
- Low-impact: easy on knees and joints — ideal for returning to fitness or riding through a niggle.
- Scalable: dial the assist down for a harder workout, up when you’re tired.
- Consistent: riders commute and run errands by bike instead of driving, stacking up incidental exercise.
Getting the most exercise from your e-bike
Use the lowest assist level you’re comfortable with, pick hillier Sydney routes — the Bay Run, Cooks River path and the inner-west backstreets around Leichhardt are great — and let the motor help on the way home rather than the way out. Over a few weeks that becomes a real, sustainable fitness habit, not a one-off heroics ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still get exercise on an e-bike if you use full assist?
Yes. Even on high assist you’re pedalling to move, and the motor cuts out at 25 km/h in Australia, so you contribute effort the whole ride — just at a gentler intensity.
Are e-bikes good for weight loss?
They can be. E-bike riders burn fewer calories per minute than on a normal bike but tend to ride far more often and for longer, so weekly calorie burn is often similar — and much easier to stick to.
Are e-bikes good for older or less fit riders?
Absolutely. Adjustable assist makes cycling accessible for people returning to exercise, managing joint issues, or building fitness gradually — without overstraining.
Want to feel it for yourself? Come in for a test ride at Cyberbikes, 281 Parramatta Road, Leichhardt, or ask about our rent-to-own plans from $99.99/week. Our team will match you to the right Centauro e-bike for your fitness goals and your commute.
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