TY - JOUR

T1 - Impact of electrically assisted bicycles on physical activity and traffic accident risk

T2 - A prospective observational study

AU - Haufe, Sven

AU - Boeck, Hedwig Theda

AU - Häckl, Sebastian

AU - Boyen, Johanna

AU - Kück, Momme

AU - Van Rhee, Clara Catharina

AU - Graf Von Der Schulenburg, Johann Matthias

AU - Zeidler, Jan

AU - Schmidt, Torben

AU - Johannsen, Heiko

AU - Holzwart, Dennis

AU - Koch, Armin

AU - Tegtbur, Uwe

N1 - Funding Information: This study was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (Grant number: VB1609A).

PY - 2022/10/11

Y1 - 2022/10/11

N2 - Background Electrically assisted bicycles (e-bikes) have become increasingly popular and may facilitate active commuting and recreational cycling. Objective To evaluate the physical activity levels and usage characteristics of e-bikers and conventional cyclists under real-world conditions. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study in Germany to examine the effects of e-biking compared with conventional cycling on reaching the World Health Organization (WHO) target for physical activity-at least 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week. Study participants (1250 e-bikers and 629 conventional bike users) were equipped with activity trackers to assess the time, distance and heart rate during cycling over four consecutive weeks. Questionnaires were used to assess any traffic accidents incurred over 12 months. Results The proportion of participants reaching 150 min of MVPA per week was higher for conventional bike users than for e-bike users (35.0% vs 22.4%, p<0.001). In a multiple regression model, the odds of reaching the physical activity target were lower for e-biking than for conventional biking (OR=0.56; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.72) with age, sex, comorbidities and bike usage patterns as confounding factors. No significant differences were observed between bike groups for traffic accidents, yet when controlled for cycling time and frequency of cycling e-bikers had a higher risk of a traffic accident (OR=1.63; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.58). Conclusion E-bikes are associated with a lower probability of reaching WHO targets for MVPA due to reduced duration and a reduced cardiovascular effort during riding. However, e-bikes might facilitate active transportation, particularly in older individuals or those with pre-existing conditions.

AB - Background Electrically assisted bicycles (e-bikes) have become increasingly popular and may facilitate active commuting and recreational cycling. Objective To evaluate the physical activity levels and usage characteristics of e-bikers and conventional cyclists under real-world conditions. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study in Germany to examine the effects of e-biking compared with conventional cycling on reaching the World Health Organization (WHO) target for physical activity-at least 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week. Study participants (1250 e-bikers and 629 conventional bike users) were equipped with activity trackers to assess the time, distance and heart rate during cycling over four consecutive weeks. Questionnaires were used to assess any traffic accidents incurred over 12 months. Results The proportion of participants reaching 150 min of MVPA per week was higher for conventional bike users than for e-bike users (35.0% vs 22.4%, p<0.001). In a multiple regression model, the odds of reaching the physical activity target were lower for e-biking than for conventional biking (OR=0.56; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.72) with age, sex, comorbidities and bike usage patterns as confounding factors. No significant differences were observed between bike groups for traffic accidents, yet when controlled for cycling time and frequency of cycling e-bikers had a higher risk of a traffic accident (OR=1.63; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.58). Conclusion E-bikes are associated with a lower probability of reaching WHO targets for MVPA due to reduced duration and a reduced cardiovascular effort during riding. However, e-bikes might facilitate active transportation, particularly in older individuals or those with pre-existing conditions.

KW - accelerometer

KW - cycling

KW - environment

KW - physical activity

KW - prevention

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85142002564&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001275

DO - 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001275

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85142002564

VL - 8

JO - BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine

JF - BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine

SN - 2055-7647

IS - 4

M1 - 001275

ER -