Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 001275 |
| Journal | BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Oct 2022 |
Abstract
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.
Keywords
- accelerometer, cycling, environment, physical activity, prevention
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Health Professions(all)
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, Vol. 8, No. 4, 001275, 11.10.2022.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
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 -