HMN 2026: How E-biking boosts health, physical activity levels

Participants in a New Zealand e-bike pilot program say cycling has improved their physical and mental health and helped in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma, a study from the University of Otago, Wellington–?t?kou Whakaihu Waka, P?neke has found.

The researchers explored the impact of e-biking on the 26 M?ori and Pacific people who signed up to participate in the HIKO e-bike pilot program in Wainuiomata, in the Wellington region in 2023. Their findings are published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Those who joined the program were provided with e-bikes, helmets and high visibility clothing, and given cycling skills training and mechanical support. They were interviewed at the start of the program and then at six- and 12-month intervals.

Lead researcher Dr. Emma Osborne, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Public Health, says participants found riding their e-bikes improved their mental and physical health overall as well as helping with chronic health conditions including type 2 diabetes, gout, hypertension, insomnia, asthma, and joint pain, most commonly hip and knee pain.

For many of those involved, the mental health benefits were particularly significant. One commented, “You have a moment in time where you are not thinking about work, not thinking about problems of the world … obviously you get the physical benefits, but … it’s what it does for me mentally.”

Some participants had specific health goals in mind when joining the program, such as losing weight or quitting smoking.

One found riding their e-bike enabled them to give up smoking without putting on weight. “[It has] introduced a healthier lifestyle and a way to get rid of your cravings.”

Many found e-biking to be a good way of remaining active in middle and older age. One rider said, “[My] knees are just about shot, so this is [a] way to keep that momentum going without thrashing your body too much.”

Others described e-biking as being well suited to the needs of older riders, “bigger” riders and people with joint pain.

A senior author on the research, Associate Professor Caroline Shaw, also from the Department of Public Health (Wellington), says despite government moves to increase New Zealanders’ levels of physical activity, the amount of exercise people are getting continues to decline.

“In 2011/2012, the New Zealand Health Survey shows that 54% of adults had sufficient levels of physical activity, but by 2023/2024 this had declined to just over 46%, and Ministry of Health—Manat? Hauora officials expect this to decrease further.”

She says switching to e-bikes for commuting or running errands is an easy way to boost physical activity levels and improve health and well-being.

“Most people travel every day, and the way they choose to travel becomes a habit, so a change to e-biking is likely to be a more sustainable form of exercise than going to the gym or playing sport.”

Associate Professor Shaw says health professionals could play an important role in recommending e-biking to their patients, as many of those who signed up for the pilot program were willing to take part when it was suggested by someone familiar with their health needs.

But she says local and central governments will need to take action if cycling is to increase to a level at which it will impact the level of physical activity among the general population.

“We need more investment in high quality, safe cycling infrastructure and financial support in the form of loans or subsidies to improve access to e-bikes among low-income communities. The people in our study enjoyed riding with others and so a support package which included organized group rides and training and mechanical assistance would be helpful.”

Associate Professor Shaw says support could be directed towards those who would benefit most, such as those holding community service cards, or through “green” prescriptions.

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