An e-bike is the must-have summer sporting equipment. Spend the long, sunny days exploring with friends and family, creating memories for a lifetime. You'll be able to stay fit and active without worrying about the sweat factor, taking advantage of the perfect weather. Plus, it’s also a great way to de-stress after a long year and is an excellent activity for the whole family, regardless of skill, age, or fitness. If you're lucky, Santa might even leave one under the Christmas tree if you’re on his Nice List! These are the 10 Best Reasons Why An E-Bike Is Great for Summer.

1. It’s a social time of year

Summer tends to be a much more social time of the year, when people spend more time with friends and family. As such, having different activities to enjoy is ideal. Going for an e-bike ride is the perfect way to spend quality time together, regardless of age, skill, or fitness level. The pedal assist modes create an equal playing field, and make cycling accessible for everyone, regardless of physical limitations. That means, even if you’ve not been on a bike the rest of the year, or grandma is joining the journey, you’ll still be able to keep with the kids or that one friend who consider 100 kilometres to be a casual ride. Pack some water and a picnic lunch, and you’ll be able to spend a full day exploring with your loved ones.

2. You’re on holiday, so there’s more time to explore

A lot of people take holidays over the summer, especially during the Christmas period. Having more than just the weekends free not only gives you a chance to relax and recharge but also allows you the opportunity to get out and explore. If you’re sticking around home for the holidays, grab your e-bike and explore the surrounding suburbs, bike paths, and trails. It’s the perfect opportunity to be a tourist at home, find a new favourite park for the kids, or discover a great new café. If you’re heading away, you can always travel with your e-bike using bike racks for convenient and safe transport. Again, it makes getting around a breeze, lets you explore further and for longer, and reap the benefits of incidental and fun exercise.

3. You can explore further and for longer

Traditional bikes are great, but unless you’re training for an endurance race, it’s unlikely you’ll want to spend hours in the saddle, working your quads and calves to exhaustion. That’s where an e-bike can provide a sweet reprieve from some of the hard work. Employing the pedal assist mode lets you explore further, faster, and for longer, because you won’t tire so quickly. Plus, you can adjust throughout the day, using less assistance in the morning when you’re feeling fresh, then cruising home with more help in the afternoon. Get out of your comfort zone and take on a journey you wouldn’t normally consider because it’s “too far” or “too long”, knowing help is there if you need it..

4. You don’t need to worry about being a hot, sweaty mess

Summer is synonymous with hot, sunny days. However, with an e-bike you don’t need to worry about the sweat factor! To start, you can increase your assistance level, so you don’t have to exert as much energy. Then, as you cruise along, take advantage of the natural air-conditioning with the breeze on your face, cooling you down. You’ll reach your destination feeling fresh as a daisy, and ready to continue the adventure.

5. The weather is great

Australia’s summer weather is postcard-perfect, with long, hot sunny days. As such, it’s the ideal time to take advantage of this country’s blessed weather and take your e-bike for a ride. Head to the beach for a picnic, explore the local mountain bike trails, visit the farmer’s market for some fresh veggies, or café hop around your local area. While summer does see the wet season arrive in the north, an e-bike is a fantastic way to combat the high humidity that accompanies the summer storms. You won’t sweat as much and will enjoy a cooling breeze as you cruise along. Plus, if inclement weather is heading your way while you’re out, an e-bike will get you home faster before the rains arrive!

6. It will help reduce end of year stress

Everyone knows the end of the year can be a bit stressful. It’s been a long 12 months, you have deadlines to meet, and Christmas is fast approaching. Taking your e-bike out for a spin in the summer sun is therefore a wonderful way to destress and relieve some of that end of year pressure. Exercise has been shown to improve your mental and physical health, plus release the happy hormone, endorphins. Plus, it can also improve your cardiovascular health, increase muscle tone, and boost your immune system, so the stress is less likely to leave you run down. In addition to the exercise, vitamin D and fresh air are also shown to help reduce stress. Even just 10 minutes in the sun, will give you the recommended daily dose of Vitamin D (though if you’re out for longer do slip, slop, slap for sun safety). Then, take a few deep breaths of fresh air as you ride to clear your lungs, improve your energy, lower your blood pressure, and increase oxygen intake.

7. You’ll be doing your bit for the planet

Hot summers are great, but from the planet’s perspective, scorching summers aren’t. As such, it’s good to consider what can be done about global warming on a personal level. E-bikes are a great, environmentally friendly transport alternative, that produces far fewer carbon emissions than cars. According to a European Cyclist’s Federation (ECF) study commuter e-bikes produce 22 grams of CO2e per passenger kilometre travelled, compared to 271 grams for a car. While lower emissions is a significant benefit, so is a reduction in traffic congestion, less physical impact on existing road infrastructure, and less waste with long-lasting batteries. Plus, if you charge your battery off-peak, you can save money and reduce the impact on the electricity grid.

8. It’s a great way to stay fit and healthy during the silly season

Summer and the silly season often mean more socialising, Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and general catchups with friends and family. Consequently, it can also mean more drinks than usual, deliciously indulgent food, and less routine. If you’re concerned about your health this time of year, adding a couple of e-bike cycling adventures to your week is an easy way to maintain your fitness, while still having fun and enjoying something different. Keep it chill with pedal assist turned on high or get the blood pumping for a more intense workout, by setting it on the minimum level.

9.Choose your own adventure with different kinds of e-bikes

Regardless of how you like to spend your free summer days, there’s an e-bike to suit your lifestyle. Adventure seekers can hit the off-road trails with an electric mountain bike, while urban dwellers can kick around the CBD on an electric folding bike. Follow the bike paths and suburb hop with a road e-bike or cruise along the coastal boardwalks on a step-through hybrid style that has plenty of storage room for a picnic basket. Whatever you choose, you’ll create blissful summer memories full sunshine, laughter, and fun.

10. An e-bike is a great Christmas gift idea

If you're stuck on Christmas gift ideas, why not consider an e-bike? It makes an excellent gift for both kids and adults and is a practical present that keeps on giving through fun, fitness, and convenience. Plus, you can get away with not wrapping it – all you need is a giant bow on the handlebars! If your giftee already has an e-bike, then accessories are also a great option! Choose a handy backpack, useful tool or repair kit, water bottle and holder, or a pair of Aftershokz wireless headphones. Alternatively, you could also book their bike in for a professional service and tune-up, so it feels good as new next time they’re in the saddle.