Respiratory ventilation and inhaled air pollution dose while riding with a conventional and an electric-assisted cycle along routes with different elevation profiles

•Sex, cycle speed, cycle type and height gain are predictors for ventilation.•Cycle type is the main predictor of ventilation and the inhaled dose of pollution.•The electric assisted cycle lowers ventilation and the amount of effort required.•The electric assisted cycle increases cycling speed.•The electric assisted cycle reduces the inhaled dose of pollution.