Geof Harries

After more than a year of commuting mainly by e-bike, I've not gotten stronger.

I've actually become weaker, lost fitness and lost power.

I've come to realize that this is my own fault; I've been using my e-bike wrong.

First, the reason I went electric

Last April, I got my e-bike because after than more than 20 years of commuting 3 to 5 days per week by regular bike, I was tired of grinding up the same series of hills at the end of a work day.

With my e-bike I can instead ride 4 to 5 days of the week, whereas just a few years ago the maximum was 3 days.

Why have I got weaker if I'm riding more?

I think it's because I've been riding about the same route and distance I always have - with some minor variations - but assisted by a motor. I've not changed the length of those rides, just made them easier on myself.

Instead, what I should have been doing is increasing the distance and riding in harder modes, not keeping the distance the same while reducing the time spent and energy output.

This is obvious in hindsight.

I also want to say that if you've not regularly commuted by bike before, switching from driving a motor vehicle (gas guzzling or electric) to an e-bike will most certainly improve your health and fitness, and is an amazing lifestyle change!

I just happened to be coming from a place where I already had a moderate level of fitness, and instead dropped because I didn't change my patterns.

Looking back on my use of modes

My Kona Dew-E has three power modes - Eco, Norm and High - and most of the time I ride it in Norm.

Upon reflection, I should have more often used Eco. The problem is, it's just so easy and convenient to use less energy!

I recognize that I don't always want to push myself. Sometimes I like a bit of free power if it's cold, rainy, snowy or I'm late for an appointment. Maybe I just feel lazy. Sometimes I just want to get there as fast as possible.

Regardless, being able to arrive home in 30 minutes vs. 1.5 hours is pretty incredible.

Using my e-bike more often as a motor vehicle replacement

I also realize I've been treating my e-bike more like a regular bike, but not as a motor vehicle replacement.

I should use my e-bike more than I do: instead of just commuting, I can also ride it for more errands, to go more often to the grocery store, hardware store, pet store, garden centre, you name it.

My e-bike can carry me and I'd guess probably another 50 pounds without much extra effort.

Riding a bike, no matter the type, is always better than driving

I want to make it crystal clear that, at the end of the day, every person who chooses to ditch an oversized motor vehicle for any other type of modality is a win for humanity and the earth.

When you see people in droves driving large non-commercial vehicles by themselves you are smacked with how wildly inefficient those behemoths are at moving humans around. They are big, loud, dangerous, polluting and often encourage aggression.

I am thus overjoyed by the increased presence of more e-mobility devices - e-bikes, e-scooters, one wheel skateboards, fat e-bikes, long tail cargo e-bikes - on our paths and roads. This increase gets more people used to interfacing with others outside of cars and trucks, and is a political win for active transportation infrastructure.

Of course, this isn't without some growing pains from inconsiderate riders and increased negative conflicts with vehicles, but overall it's a net positive.

Life is going to make you old, no matter what

It’s just a question of how I want to grow old.

Everything gets harder, which in my experience to date, actually causes me to appreciate the little things - the moments when I recognize how privileged I am to be able to do what I do - all that much more.

It's time to again, embrace the suffer and rejoice in the effort.