Electric bikes have seen a meteoric rise in popularity across the UK, celebrated for being an environmentally friendly, convenient form of transport.
They combine human pedal power with an electric motor, making them appealing to commuters, fitness enthusiasts, and people looking to reduce car use. But not all experiences with e-bikes are positive, and not all benefits come without drawbacks.
Many people, including those who’ve worked closely with e-bike consumers, have found the downsides too significant to ignore.
A former bike shop employee recalls seeing repeated faults, safety hazards, and questionable long-term value. So, why are e-bikes bad? Let’s examine the broader picture, from cost and environmental concerns to psychological and infrastructural challenges.
What Are the Safety Risks Associated With Electric Bikes?
E-bikes, especially cheaper models or DIY conversions, pose serious safety risks. Many entry-level options use fragile components not built to handle the added stress of a motor. Improperly installed motors can warp frames, damage spokes, and even break brake calipers hazards that can cause severe accidents.
Professionally manufactured e-bikes are safer but come at a much higher cost. Even then, quick acceleration and added weight make them harder to control, particularly for inexperienced riders or in emergency scenarios.
Are E-Bikes Too Expensive to Be Practical?
Electric bikes can cost anywhere from £1,000 to over £5,000, with premium models climbing even higher. What’s more, the battery alone may account for nearly half the total cost, and it remains a frequent target for theft.
For comparison, a decent standard bicycle can be purchased for under £500 and has fewer parts that require expensive repairs or replacement.
When factoring in long-term battery replacements, maintenance, and insurance, the cost of ownership often outweighs savings on fuel or public transport. The question arises: how many miles must one ride to break even?
Do E-Bikes Discourage Physical Activity?
One of the most under-discussed downsides of e-bikes is their psychological and physical impact. Traditional cycling offers clear health benefits cardiovascular exercise, calorie burning, and mood improvement through endorphin release.
E-bikes, by design, reduce the effort required to ride, thereby reducing these benefits.
For many, the appeal lies in making travel easier. But by doing the work for the rider, e-bikes can foster a false sense of achievement.
Riders may feel they’re exercising, but in reality, their physical engagement is minimal. This “shortcut” approach can promote a sedentary lifestyle in disguise.
How Environmentally Friendly Are E-Bikes, Really?
E-bikes are often presented as eco-friendly, but their environmental credentials require a more nuanced review.
- Battery Production: Lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes rely on resource-intensive mining for lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
- Manufacturing Emissions: Producing an e-bike emits around 134–165 kg of CO₂e, compared to 96 kg for a traditional bike.
- Energy Consumption: Although cleaner than cars, e-bikes require electricity, which may be sourced from fossil fuels.
- Battery Disposal: Many e-bike batteries have a lifespan of 2–5 years, and improper disposal poses environmental hazards.
How Do E-Bikes Compare to Other Transport Modes?
Let’s look at the environmental and operational impact of e-bikes vs other modes:
| Transport Mode | CO₂ Emissions (g/km) | Cost per Mile (£) | Energy Use (Wh/mi) |
| E-Bike | 14.8–22 | <0.01 | 11 |
| Petrol Car | 104 | 0.23 | 1,500–2,500 |
| Electric Vehicle | 0 (tailpipe only) | 0.06 | 250–500 |
| Public Transport (Bus) | 68 | Varies | Moderate |
E-bikes sit in a favourable spot for short-range travel but are not emissions-free when considering production and energy sourcing.
Do Different Types of E-Bikes Present Unique Challenges?
There are several categories of e-bikes, each with its own issues:
- City/Commuter Bikes: Often used daily, making them more vulnerable to theft and battery wear.
- Folding E-Bikes: Compact but have limited range and comfort.
- Mountain E-Bikes: Expensive and can encourage risky off-road riding with less skill needed.
- Cargo E-Bikes: Useful but cumbersome and very expensive.
- Fat Tyre E-Bikes: Resource-heavy to produce, increasing their environmental footprint.
Each type suits a niche but brings compromises in comfort, safety, or sustainability.
How Much Energy Do E-Bikes Really Use?
An e-bike typically uses 200–750 watts per charge, depending on terrain and rider weight. A 400Wh battery can offer 40–100 km of range, but heavy usage and hills reduce this.
With the average UK grid mix, this equates to 3.2–8 g of CO₂ per mile — significantly lower than cars, yet not entirely clean.
Charging from solar sources offers a better solution, but availability remains limited. The true environmental cost depends heavily on how that energy is sourced.
Are E-Bike Components Recyclable or Biodegradable?
While the aluminium frames and tyres can often be recycled, most e-bike components especially lithium-ion batteries, are not biodegradable.
These batteries must be handled by specialist facilities like Velorim Recover in the UK to prevent environmental harm.
Some innovations are emerging, such as biodegradable seat materials made from pineapple fibre and recyclable flaxseed panels. However, these are not yet standard in the industry.
| Component | Material | Biodegradable | Recyclable |
| Frame | Aluminium | No | Yes |
| Battery | Lithium-ion | No | Yes (specialist) |
| Motor | Mixed metals/plastics | No | Partial |
| Seat Panels | Pineapple/Flaxseed | Yes | Yes |
Are E-Bikes a Sustainable Transport Solution?
E-bikes offer sustainability benefits only when replacing car trips. If used to substitute walking or cycling, their advantages diminish.
Still, studies suggest that switching from cars to e-bikes could cut UK emissions by 50%, and they’re 10–30 times more energy-efficient than electric cars.
That said, infrastructure and battery recycling will need to evolve quickly to support widespread e-bike adoption sustainably.
Can the Average Rider Justify the Cost and Carbon Footprint?
Let’s compare lifetime emissions and expenses:
| Aspect | E-Bike | Car | Electric Vehicle |
| Annual Cost | £200–£1,000 | £2,730 | £720 |
| CO₂ Production (kg) | 134–165 | 5,500 | 5,500–17,500 |
| Emissions per Mile | 3.2–8 g | 240 g | 0 (tailpipe only) |
Only when replacing daily car journeys can the investment in an e-bike truly be justified, both environmentally and financially.
Who Truly Benefits from Using E-Bikes?
A former bike shop assistant observed that most e-bike buyers fell into two categories: those chasing convenience and those with legitimate physical needs. Only one rider, a man with a spinal injury, truly needed an e-bike to experience the joy of cycling.
While there’s no doubt e-bikes have their place, many people who opt for them could instead ride a traditional bicycle and gain far more physical and psychological benefits.
For the majority, the e-bike may do more harm than good by removing the very essence of what makes cycling transformative: the effort.
FAQs About Why E-Bikes Might Be Bad?
Do e-bikes require more maintenance than regular bikes?
Yes, due to motors, sensors, and software, e-bikes demand more frequent and technical servicing.
Can e-bikes actually harm your health?
If used as a substitute for walking or manual cycling, yes. E-bikes can reduce physical activity, impacting cardiovascular health over time.
Are e-bikes worth the cost for everyday commuting?
Only if replacing car travel regularly. Otherwise, the high upfront and ongoing costs may outweigh the benefits.
How do e-bikes impact the environment during disposal?
Batteries pose significant waste challenges and must be recycled through specialist services to avoid environmental harm.
What makes e-bikes attractive despite their flaws?
Ease of use, speed, and accessibility make them appealing, especially for those with limited mobility or long commutes.
Can I charge an e-bike using solar energy?
Yes, solar-powered charging stations exist, though they’re not widely available in most UK towns and cities.
How do e-bikes affect urban infrastructure?
They place additional demands on bike lanes, parking facilities, and require updates to road-sharing policies to ensure safety.
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