The rise of the electric bike has clear health and environmental benefits, particularly when car journeys are replaced, public health institute RIVM said on Thursday.

The institute analysed existing surveys on exercise and accidents on behalf of the transport ministry to assess the impact of the growing popularity of e-bikes.

For older people and those with a disability, obesity or a chronic condition, the e-bike can encourage more physical activity, the RIVM said. Almost a quarter of people with obesity and around 20% of those with a physical disability or condition said they would not cycle at all without one.

However, there are also downsides, the researchers said. Youngsters who use an e-bike are not getting as much exercise as on a normal bike, for example, and are more likely to be involved in serious accidents.

While the increase in the accident rate is partly down to e-bikes covering more kilometres, “e-bike users were more likely than ordinary cyclists to be admitted to hospital with a serious injury,” the report said.

The environmental gains depend largely on whether e-bikes replace car trips, which in turn cuts pollution.

The RIVM said further research is needed to fully assess the long-term health and environmental effects of the e-bike’s growing popularity.