Exercise & Fitness
What you need to know about electric bicycles
An e-bike can provide the boost you need to stay in the saddle.
- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter
Bicycle riders are abuzz with the latest advances in pedal power, called electric bicycles or e-bikes. Sales have been brisk, with the number of e-bikes sold annually in the United States quadrupling between 2018 and 2022 (to 1.1 million), and still climbing.
What's the big deal? The two-wheelers operate on pedal power and an electric motor, making them handy on hilly terrain and helpful for people with physical limitations. But e-bikes have certain risks. Here's what you need to know about the souped-up cycles.
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter
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