Electric bikes are sometimes diminished as “cheating”.

But for many people they make travelling by bike far more accessible.

And it enables them to start incorporating more exercise into their daily routine.

Electric bikes are fast becoming more mainstream. You may have even started to see them on the road or on cycle routes.

But why are they so popular?

Whether you are thinking about buying an electric bike or you’re simply curious about the benefits, here are a few reasons to start riding an electric bicycle.

Being outdoors on a beautiful day can be one of life’s most enjoyable and relaxing experiences.

One of the big draws of long-distance riding is you are able to experience more views and sights than if you were walking.

With an electric bicycle, you can enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about the impact on your legs.

A short journey can turn into a mini-adventure which spans a bit further than it usually would.

E-bikes are a fantastic gateway into cycling for fitness.

Of course, this may not be why you cycle.

But if it is, the assistance provided by an electric bike can be reassuring if you are concerned about your fitness levels.

Despite the added boost you will still be pedalling throughout the course of your ride.

This movement means that you burn almost as many calories riding an electric bike as you would on a manual bicycle.

Although an electric bike may be more expensive than a conventional push-bike the costs are minimal when compared to a car.

If you already own a car you will be very aware it is not the cheapest form of transport while public transport can cost between 10p and 30p per mile.

It only costs a few pence to fully charge the battery on an electric bike.

Depending on your bike and battery, this could take you as far a 30 to 90 miles.

An absolute bargain.

If you are an everyday commuter, you may find yourself regularly sitting in traffic daydreaming about being anywhere else other than in your car, on the bus or dealing with train delays.

That dream can become a reality.

Cycling to work is a great way to include more exercise into your daily routine and you will arrive at work more alert and ready for the day.

Check out our map of the National Cycle Network to see if you can plan your new route to work.

The thought of cycling uphill against the wind is one of the most off-putting reasons for not cycling.

An electric bicycle almost eradicates this issue.

Just tap into your electric motor and you will handle those hills with a lot less stress.

Plus you will be on the receiving end of some envious glances from those people struggling on a manual bike.

Electric bikes not only have less impact on your knees and thighs.

But they can also have less of an impact on the environment.

If sustainability is important to you, an electric bike may be a perfect alternative to driving.

As you charge the battery yourself, you have complete control over how eco-friendly your bicycle is.

Having more acceleration from a standing start can make traffic junctions feel a lot safer than on a traditional bike.

You may also find you are more aware of your surroundings as you will not spend as much time with your head down or standing up in an attempt to build up speed.

Another safety bonus of an electric bicycle is having a silent motor means you will be more aware of the sounds around you than you would on a motorbike or scooter.

Cycling with a heavy load of groceries can be exhausting.

Packing your panniers with products means you will be carrying extra weight on your way home.

Using an electric bike for your shopping means you can use your battery power on the way back to help with the added weight.

Electric bicycles require more exercise than driving so you can still justify a few treats for the week ahead.

US President John F Kennedy once said “nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike”.

This rings true for electric bikes as well.

To put it simply, riding an electric bike is fun.

The dread of hills is eradicated and you can smile and wave as you pass other riders who toil behind.

As the frames continue to change and the technology improves, the joy of riding an electric bike is only going to increase.

Chris Bennett is the head of behaviour change at Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity which promotes active travel.