“But isn’t that cheating?”
We hear this question at least once a week. Someone walks into the shop, curious about electric bikes, and before they’ve even finished looking, they feel the need to justify their interest. As if wanting motor assistance somehow makes them less of a cyclist.
Let’s address this directly: e-bikes aren’t cheating. That framing misunderstands what cycling is, what e-bikes do, and why people ride in the first place.
Over the past five years, we’ve sold electric bikes to hundreds of customers across Northern Ireland. Their stories have convinced us that e-bikes might be the most significant development in cycling since the derailleur gear. Not because they replace effort, but because they make cycling possible for people who’d otherwise be stuck in cars.
The Cheating Myth and Why It Persists
The “cheating” accusation assumes cycling is primarily about suffering. That the point is to struggle, and anything that reduces the struggle diminishes the experience.
But ask yourself: why do people actually cycle? For transport. For fresh air. For mental clarity. For time with family. For exploring places cars can’t reach. For the simple pleasure of movement.
None of these require maximum physical exertion. A cyclist enjoying a gentle spin along the Lagan Towpath isn’t cheating compared to someone grinding up Cave Hill. They’re just cycling differently, for different reasons.
E-bikes extend cycling to people and situations where it wouldn’t otherwise happen. That’s not cheating — that’s inclusion.
How E-Bikes Actually Work
Understanding the technology helps dispel the myths. E-bikes don’t ride themselves. You still pedal. You still steer. You still balance. The motor simply assists your effort rather than replacing it.
Most quality e-bikes, like those from Gazelle or Specialised, use pedal-assist systems. Sensors detect when you’re pedalling and add proportional motor support. Pedal harder, get more assistance. Stop pedalling, the motor stops.
You choose the assistance level. On flat ground with a tailwind, you might use minimal support. Facing a headwind on the Castlereagh hills, you might dial it up. The control remains entirely with the rider.
The legal speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph of motor assistance. Beyond that, you’re on your own power. This isn’t a motorbike — it’s a bicycle with a helpful push.
The Fitness Reality
Here’s something that surprises people: e-bike riders often get more exercise than traditional cyclists.
That sounds counterintuitive, but research from several European studies supports it. Why? Because e-bike owners ride more frequently and cover longer distances. The reduced barrier to getting on the bike means more time actually cycling.
A customer who bought a Giant electric bike from us last year put it well: “On my old bike, I’d talk myself out of riding because I knew the hill home would destroy me after a long day. Now I ride four or five days a week because I know I’ll make it back without arriving completely shattered.”
More rides, even with assistance, beats fewer rides at maximum effort. The heart doesn’t know whether electrons helped — it just knows it’s working.
Who’s Actually Buying E-Bikes?
The demographics might surprise you. While e-bikes appeal across all ages, we’ve noticed several distinct groups gravitating towards them.
Returning cyclists. People who loved cycling in their twenties and thirties but drifted away as life got busier. Careers, children, and creaking joints made traditional bikes feel impractical. E-bikes bring them back.
Couples with fitness mismatches. One partner cycles regularly, the other doesn’t. Without assistance, riding together becomes frustrating for both — one bored, one exhausted. E-bikes level the playing field. We’ve fitted several couples where one rides a traditional Specialised road bike while the other keeps pace on an electric model.
Commuters facing hills. Belfast’s topography isn’t extreme, but it’s not flat either. The climb from the city centre towards the Antrim Road, or up the Lisburn Road towards Finaghy, is enough to deter casual commuters. E-bikes remove that barrier entirely.
People managing health conditions. Arthritis, recovering from surgery, heart conditions requiring controlled exertion, respiratory issues — e-bikes allow cycling within limitations rather than being excluded from cycling altogether.
Parents with cargo. Anyone who’s tried cycling with a child seat or trailer knows how much harder the bike becomes. Motor assistance transforms the school run from ordeal to pleasure.
Real Stories From Real Riders
A customer in his late sixties came to us after a heart attack. His consultant recommended gentle exercise, and he’d always loved cycling, but the hills around his home in Holywood made it impossible. He now rides a Gazelle e-bike three or four times a week along the coastal path. His cardiologist is delighted.
A woman in her forties bought an e-bike after years of watching her husband disappear on weekend rides she couldn’t join. She’d never considered herself “a cyclist.” Now they explore the Mourne coastal roads together, stopping when they want, going as far as feels good.
A teacher from south Belfast uses her electric bike for the daily commute across the city. She’d tried cycling before but arrived sweaty and frazzled. With assistance, she arrives fresh enough to face a classroom of teenagers. The bike paid for itself within a year through saved parking and fuel costs.
These aren’t stories of cheating. They’re stories of lives expanded by technology that makes cycling accessible.
Practical Considerations
If you’re considering an e-bike, a few things worth knowing:
Range varies significantly. Most quality e-bikes offer 40-80km of range depending on assistance level, terrain, and rider weight. For typical use around Belfast and beyond, that’s more than enough. You’ll likely recharge weekly rather than daily.
Weight matters less than you’d think. Yes, e-bikes are heavier than traditional bikes — typically 20-25kg versus 8-12kg for a road bike. But the motor compensates completely when riding. The weight only matters when lifting the bike, which is worth considering if you need to carry it up stairs.
Battery life is excellent. Modern lithium batteries last for years of regular use. Expect 500-1000 full charge cycles before noticeable degradation, which translates to many thousands of kilometres.
Maintenance is straightforward. E-bikes need the same care as regular bikes — chain lubrication, brake adjustments, tyre pressure checks — plus occasional battery management. Our workshop handles both aspects.
The Cycle to Work scheme applies. Since the £1,000 limit was removed, e-bikes have become the most popular category for scheme purchases. A bike costing £2,500 becomes far more accessible when you’re saving 30-40% through tax efficiencies.
Choosing the Right E-Bike
Not all electric bikes suit all purposes. The range has expanded dramatically, and matching the right bike to your needs matters.
Gazelle builds practical city and touring e-bikes with upright riding positions and integrated lighting — perfect for commuting and everyday use. Specialised offers everything from urban commuters to electric mountain bikes for serious trail riding. Giant provides excellent value across multiple categories.
For women cyclists, Liv e-bikes are designed specifically around female geometry and proportions, with frame shapes, handlebar widths, and saddles that actually fit properly.
Proper bike fitting matters just as much with e-bikes as traditional bikes — perhaps more so, given that riders typically cover longer distances. Getting your position right prevents the knee pain, back ache, and hand numbness that plague poorly-fitted cyclists.
The Bigger Picture
E-bikes represent a shift in what cycling can be. They’re not replacing traditional bikes — enthusiasts will always want the pure experience. But they’re extending cycling’s reach into populations and situations that were previously excluded.
Every e-bike on the road is likely a car journey not taken. That’s less congestion, less pollution, less noise, less strain on parking infrastructure. It’s better public health outcomes and happier individuals.
If that’s cheating, we need more of it.
Eamon McConvey is co-founder of McConvey Cycles, Belfast’s independent bike shop since 1986. The shop offers a wide range of electric bikes with expert fitting and servicing. Visit us at 183 Ormeau Road or browse online at www.mcconveycycles.com.
