---
title: "Electric bike versus normal bike, a heart rate test"
language: en
topics: ["Amsterdam", "Durable", "Freedom", "bike", "design", "environment", "experiment", "health", "heart", "lifestyle", "minimal", "mobility", "people", "review", "sensors", "sport", "work"]
full_article_url: https://willem.com/en/2017-12-02_commuting-by-bike/
---
# Electric bike versus normal bike, a heart rate test

*Measured on the same circuit at the same speeds.*

> Yes, at speed you do. In my 2017 heart rate test the e-bike cost me 110 BPM against 130 on a normal bike at 20 KM/H, and 150 against over 180 at 30 KM/H.

I compared the VanMoof Electrified S with a similar VanMoof without a motor, wearing a waist mounted heart rate monitor. The circuit had roads in all directions to compensate for wind, and between laps I rested until my heart rate returned to rest. Each bike got one easy lap at about 20 KM/H and one full speed lap at about 30 KM/H.
Results: normal bike 130 BPM on the easy lap and over 180 BPM at full speed, where I peaked at 195. Electrified 110 BPM easy and 150 BPM at full speed.
So riding an e-bike slowly is not much of a workout, but at higher speed your body is still genuinely working. The motor only supports your own pedalling, it never moves the bike by itself.