In my opinion Rideing the a bike with the engine is better than walking, but not as good as a bike without one. I think it is the drag from the chain. I pedal with the engine running at the same pace as pedaling for a little work out. If I pedal hard it reves the engine which is not good. I just help the engine out a little especially when I have to slow down keep the engine from bogging which isn't good for your engine. I have rode the bike to the gym and then gotten on the stationary bike. The logic is all of the people there drove their car there anyway.