Biomechanical analysis confirmed that the straddling structure significantly optimized cycling safety for the elderly. The median saddle height of the step through electric bike is only 52cm (≥68cm for traditional models), and the threshold for crossing heights is reduced by 15-18cm, reducing the knee bending Angle for users over 65 years old when getting on and off the bike by 40° (from 102° to 62°). Effectively prevent 72% of the risk of falls (based on the 2023 biomechanical model of the American Journal of Geriatrics). According to the ergonomic test by German TUV, the 12° tilt Angle design of this type of frame reduces the peak pelvic pressure by 35% (from 280kPa to 182kPa), and the riding posture is more in line with the natural curvature of the spine (the deviation of lumbar pressure is only ±5%). In practical applications, the Rotterdam Senior Cycling Project in the Netherlands shows that the user satisfaction rate of models equipped with such frames has reached 96%, and the incidence of hip joint strain has decreased by 68%.
The power system precisely matches the muscle strength attenuation characteristics of the elderly: The 250W hub motor equipped with a torque sensor (response time 0.1 seconds) can output a smooth 50Nm of power, maintaining a stable speed of 18km/h on an 8% slope section (fluctuation standard deviation <0.8km/h), with an energy efficiency improvement of 30% compared to traditional power-assisted vehicles. Data from the Transport Research Laboratory in the UK shows that the intelligent assistance system of the step through electric bike can identify the pedal force within the initial 0.5 seconds of riding. When the rider’s leg output is only 15N, it can activate 80% of the auxiliary power (traditional systems require 30N), reducing the joint load by up to 45%. The battery is equipped with a Samsung 40V 10Ah low center of gravity module (weighing 2.3kg), providing a range of 55km on a single charge (with a load of 90kg in a 25℃ environment), meeting the distance needs of 92% of elderly users for weekly shopping and social travel.
The safety configuration is specifically designed to address the physiological characteristics of an aging population: The front and rear hydraulic disc brakes (disc diameter 160mm) achieve a braking distance of 3.8 meters from 20km/h to 0 (the performance on slippery roads is 30% better than the limit value of the EU EN 15194 standard). According to statistics from the US CDC in 2024, models equipped with similar brakes reduce the rate of elderly cycling accidents by 41%. The key integration of the LED lighting system (with a headlight luminous flux of 200 lumens and a taillight visible at 270°) reduces the probability of collision during night cycling by 65%. A safety research report from Stockholm, Sweden, pointed out that the low-pedal design of the step through electric bike (28cm above the ground) increased the success rate of emergency foot support to 98%, significantly reducing the risk of imbalance.
The economic efficiency of use is in line with the budget structure of the retired group: The whole vehicle is priced at 1,099 (at the industry median level), but the average daily usage cost is 0.4 (including 0.03/km of energy and an average annual maintenance cost of 85), saving 68% of the transportation budget compared to private cars. A survey by the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan found that the return on investment for users over 70 years old reached 140% within three years (mainly due to reduced medical expenses and public transportation costs). The frame has passed the ISO 4210 fatigue test (deformation <0.3mm after 100,000 load cycles), and the lifespan of the core components exceeds 8 years (annual depreciation rate 11%), significantly optimizing the long-term holding value.
The necessity of social value verification: The EU White Paper on Elderly Transportation points out that the weekly activity radius of the 65-75 age group using this model has expanded to 15 kilometers (an increase of 120% compared to non-electric models), and the social frequency has increased by 47%. A follow-up study by Boston Medical College shows that elderly people who regularly ride step through electric bikes have a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and a 24% slower rate of cognitive decline. In the “Silver-Haired Cycling Program” implemented in Copenhagen, such vehicles enabled 84% of the participants to gain the ability to travel independently, saving an average of 5.2 hours of commuting time per week. These pieces of evidence jointly indicate that straddle-type electric bicycles can systematically address the mobility challenges in an aging society.