When my family told me about an upcoming trip to Boracay, I didn’t expect to do much apart from eating, drinking, and sleeping. Biking wasn’t on the list.

However, since there was a nearby e-bike rental service, I was able to tour myself around the island.

If you’re the type who’d rather be on the move than sitting still (doing nothing), I highly suggest you give this a try.

Currents Café is located a kilometer away from Discovery Boracay, where I stayed. Aside from serving coffee, it also has electric bikes for rent.

The rate starts at P300 for an hour, and it goes up to P800 for four hours. There are special rates also for couples, groups, and 24-hour rentals. In addition to the rental fee, you’ll need to show a valid ID and leave a deposit.

There’s no need to worry about biking gear since the shop will lend a helmet and a cable lock for quick stops. Also, the e-bikes have lights for night riding.

The GerWeiss e-bikes might seem big and intimidating. But they have the right features for island touring.

The powerful motor is capable of conquering steep climbs; the fat tires and the suspension fork ensure maximum ride comfort on rough roads; and the mechanical disc brakes provide enough stopping power (if you squeeze the levers hard enough).

The battery lasts long enough to get you around the whole island. But if you somehow manage to run out of juice, you can return to the shop and swap the battery for a new one.

With an electric bicycle, Boracay was my playground, an open-world video game for me to explore. There was no specific route in mind.

I just opened Google Maps and searched for points of interest across the island. The excitement came from not knowing what lay ahead as I ventured around an unfamiliar place.

The idea of biking around Boracay doesn’t sound as exciting as other attractions. But it sure is therapeutic.

The island life is much simpler. And I really felt it as I wandered around the quaint rural roads, hopping from one beach to another.

With no sense of distance, I was surprised at how far I had traveled in such a short time when I checked Strava. And because I had pedal-assist, my legs weren’t screaming in agony during the many climbs.

Travel is more fun when you’re actively moving instead of being shuttled around. This experience has taught me that e-bikes have great potential for tourism.

They provide the convenience and the efficiency of cycling, minus the sweat and the strain of having to pedal manually. This is perfect when you care more about the sightseeing than getting a workout.

And unlike a motorcycle, anyone can ride a pedal-assist bicycle because it is safer with no license required. It doesn’t burn gasoline, too, so it’s better for the environment.

The one thing that never grows old with biking is the sense of freedom, being able to go to places with just your own two legs. Electric bikes don’t negate the experience. Rather, they enhance it.

I remember seeing a quote on social media that goes: “Good tourism is good transportation.” The key to enjoying a place is being able to move freely. That’s why I believe that e-bikes are good for the travel industry. More establishments should seriously consider them.