No, on average 25-30% less.
How many kcal do you burn with an electric bike?
Many people think of electric bicycles above all as an easy way to pedal: you activate the assistance and move forward without any apparent effort. But that doesn't mean there's no physical effort involved. Your legs keep moving, so you do burn calories. But exactly how many? And is there a difference between men and women?
Do you really burn calories with an electric bike?
Yes, the amount of energy expended depends above all on the intensity of the effort. On a conventional bike, this varies widely: from around 200-300 kcal per hour on a leisurely ride, to over 800 kcal during a sporting outing.
With an e-bike, the motor helps and the effort is reduced. But it's not free: you still have to pedal. A study by the University of Basel shows that e-bike cyclists burn an average of 24% fewer calories than cyclists on conventional bikes.
What influences energy expenditure?
Several factors come into play:
- Assistance level: the lower the mode (eco), the greater the effort required. In turbo mode, almost everything is taken care of.
- Conditions: headwinds or hills force the body to work harder.
- Weight: a heavier cyclist needs more energy to move forward.
- Muscle mass and gender: on average, men burn slightly more calories than women.
How many calories per hour?
Based on MET values and various studies, we obtain approximately the following:
Classic bike (leisurely pace, 16 km/h)
- Woman (70 kg): 250-300 kcal/h
- Man (80 kg): 300-350 kcal/h
E-bikes, same rhythm
- Female (70 kg): 175-210 kcal/h
- Male (80 kg): 210-245 kcal/h
E-bike in eco mode, 18 km/h
- Female: ± 200 kcal/h
- Men: ± 240 kcal/h
E-bike in turbo mode
- 120-150 kcal/h
E-bike versus walking or cycling
| Activity | Female (70 kg) | Men's (80 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Running 5 km/h | 210 kcal/h | 240 kcal/h |
| Classic bike 16 km/h | 280 kcal/h | 330 kcal/h |
| E-bike 18 km/h (eco) | 200 kcal/h | 240 kcal/h |
| E-bike (turbo mode) | 130 kcal/h | 160 kcal/h |
So you burn less than on a conventional bike, but much more than behind the wheel or on a scooter.
Why it's not just about calories
Many people focus on calories, but physical activity has other benefits:
- Regularity: with assistance, it's easier to get on your bike every day.
- Health: even light exercise improves fitness, circulation and mood.
- Comparison with the car: 10 km by car = almost no effort. The same distance on an e-bike = around 200 kcal and a breath of fresh air.
The figures may seem modest, but because we pedal more often and further, the effect adds up.
Example: commuting
Suppose you drive twice 7.5 km a day, i.e. 15 km daily.
- Woman (70 kg): approx. 150-170 kcal/day → ± 850 kcal/week.
- Man (80 kg): approx. 180-200 kcal/day → ± 1000 kcal/week.
And for long outings?
Many of them go on weekend rides of 40-50 km. That's a quick 3 hours on the bike.
- Female (70 kg): ± 600 kcal
- Male (80 kg): ± 720 kcal
Comparable to a sustained sports session, but often much more enjoyable.
What do bicycle manufacturers have to say?
Manufacturers often give optimistic figures. In reality, the values are a little lower, but still significantly higher than no effort at all.
In a nutshell
- Men (80 kg): 200-240 kcal/h (eco), 130-160 kcal/h (turbo).
- Female (70 kg): 170-200 kcal/h (eco), 120-150 kcal/h (turbo).
- Daily commutes add up fast.
- It's not just about calories, but also about health and regularity.
Frequently asked questions
Do you burn as much as with a conventional bike?
Which mode burns the most?
In eco mode, because you make more effort.
Does the e-bike help you lose weight?
Yes, as long as you do it regularly and watch what you eat.
What burns more: walking or riding an e-bike?
Per hour, it's comparable. But with an e-bike, you generally cover longer distances, so you often burn more in total.
How many kcal for a 10 km journey?
On average 120-150 kcal for a woman and 150-180 kcal for a man, depending on speed and level of assistance.