Nowadays, there seems to be no distance we can’t cover. We have cars to take us from towns to nearby cities. Ships to carry heavy cargo across oceans. We also have airplanes to take us from one country to another. We even have rockets to reach the celestial bodies surrounding our planet.
Unfortunately, our current transportation systems do not seem to have a path to a pollution-free world. In fact, the transportation sector remains one of the most polluting agencies we have right now.
At worst, our modern transportation systems may no longer provide us with any livable future.
Our current transportation systems are not as sustainable as we need them to be. For one thing, travel and commuting alone contribute about 20% of global CO2 emissions.
Not only that. Commuting has become even more complicated. More and more people are moving into already congested cities, bringing more and more cars to already traffic-laden streets.
And as traffic continues to worsen, fuel waste also continues to increase. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 1.3 billion gallons of fuel are wasted because of traffic. Such wasted fuel only contributes to more toxic emissions without even serving any purpose.
All of these problems require green and sustainable solutions. Fortunately, ingenuity has resulted in the creation of several sustainable transportation alternatives. Let’s start with the basic alternative that is readily available to us.
Walking and biking are the most obvious compromise for sustainable transportation. They can get you to nearby places without having carbon emissions.
For most of us, these skills feel like second nature. Within a few months, we’re already being taught to walk. And while riding a bike is a much more difficult skill to master, most of us learn it by the age of toddlers.
Plus, both of these options are very convenient. They don’t require a lot of maintenance. If you plan to walk, you can simply wear appropriate walking shoes and clothing. On the other hand, if you want to ride a bicycle, you simply need a bicycle to ride and cycling clothes to wear.
However, these options are only suitable for short distances. We still need transportation alternatives that can get us from one place to another without breaking too much of a sweat, which brings us to the next alternative.
Electric vehicles, such as cars and buses, cover longer distances with minimal or no carbon emissions. This transportation option runs solely on electric power stored in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. So, as long as you use clean energy to charge your vehicle’s battery, you can certainly reduce your carbon footprint.
While electric cars and buses solve the distance problem, they still do not solve traffic and congestion. Cars can only carry a maximum of five people, but they already take up a lot of space on the road. The more cars on the road, the denser the traffic and the more electrical energy is wasted waiting.
You can argue that at least the wasted fuel will not contribute to any carbon emissions. But the wasted energy is still a financial loss to you.
And speaking of financial issues, you should also know that electric vehicles require high maintenance. From purchase to maintenance, electric vehicles are quite expensive.
Fortunately, there remains an option to solve exhaustive daily commuting and traffic congestion.
Electric bikes are modified bicycles that allow you to cover longer distances without breaking too much of a sweat. It has its own battery-powered motor, which provides additional power for every pedal you make – this extra power can even get you moving at speeds of up to 20 mph on a bike!
Because you can rely on battery power for extra speed, you can still cover long distances without exerting too much effort. So, you can commute to work on your electric bike without worrying about getting your clothes dirty or getting tired before you even start work.
Like electric vehicles, electric bicycles also rely solely on electric energy stored in batteries. Therefore, as long as their charging stations use green energy, your trips will not generate any carbon emissions.
In addition to getting you places, electric bikes also solve traffic congestion. Electric bikes can transport more people while taking up less road space than cars. One study even shows how transporting 60 people in cars versus bikes already makes a big difference.
By solving the problem of long-distance commuting and traffic congestion, electric bikes are the most efficient green option for traveling throughout the city.
The best part about having an electric bike as a transportation companion is that there are a variety of styles to choose from! So if you’re thinking about getting one of your own soon, we’ve put together a list of the most common types of e-bikes available today:
Electric mountain bikes : perhaps the most popular type of bike worldwide, an electric mountain bike or eMTB features a durable frame, grippy tires and a powerful electric motor. Designed to triumph over rugged mountain trails, an electric mountain bike is your best choice when you’re looking for extra fun and adventure.
Electric road bikes : This type of electric bike features a pair of slim tires and a sleek, sturdy frame. Most electric road bikes have high-capacity batteries that can go up to 80 miles on a single charge. So, if you need a reliable mode of transportation for work, school or any kind of activity, electric road bikes are worth considering.
Electric step-through bikes: with a classic step-through frame, this particular type of electric bike is a crowd favorite. Its low step-through frame makes it more accessible for riders with limited height and women in skirts or dresses. A step-through electric bike is a good choice if you fancy a short, casual ride around town.
Folding electric bikes : living in a crowded city can be a challenge, especially when you have problems with limited apartment space. But worry no more because folding electric bikes know exactly how to solve that problem. With its convenient folding mechanism, a folding electric bike can save you a lot of storage space. In addition, it also features a lightweight frame for easy transportation.
Electric cargo bikes: electric cargo bikes are here for you if you need an electric bike that can carry your extra luggage when you travel. Each electric cargo bike features an extra powerful electric motor, extended rear luggage rack or a spacious front basket for storage. Compared with other electric bikes, electric cargo bikes have a larger carrying capacity that can reach 300 pounds.
Today, countless types of electric bikes have emerged to meet the diverse needs of cyclists. Knowing how each of these works is critical to choosing the best type of electric bike for you.
Since the beginning of time, movement and travel have always been a part of our lives. Unfortunately, if we continue with our current transportation systems, we may not have a healthy future for continued travel.
Fortunately, we can walk or bike to minimize carbon emissions. We also have electric vehicles in the form of passenger cars and buses to cover commuting and long-distance travel. And to truly solve excessive carbon emissions, commuting problems and traffic congestion, we can use electric bicycles.
But to make a truly positive impact, we must welcome these changes together as a community.