Absolutely, but BMR is not taken into account for transportation efficiency calculations for good reason I think, they are “simple” leveled calculations of how much energy is used per passenger per distance for transportation energy comparison purposes, so yes we still have the same BMR energy use simply to exist no matter what transport system we use, or even if we just stay home.
The need for exercise is usually also not factored in to efficiency calculations either, but it’s one of the reasons I like all bikes, and e-bikes would certainly help more people get more daily intensity minutes than they otherwise might get using a more sedentary mode. It’s a win-win! Even as you age or if you are relatively unfit, you can still cycle 7 days a week at commute speeds, for commute distances, and never push yourself into an over training scenario, which is a pretty awesome advantage. I’m a long time rural cyclist, and with the greater average distances, only the most well-trained athletes might be able to do the distances required at average speeds sufficient to make it practical on a daily basis otherwise.
Yes! I even considered attending a full PDC at one point as I’m a gardener and a farmer and I was very intrigued by the concept when I learned about it. The way we grow food is very much a problem, that is a big part of the argument that Michael Pollan makes in his books and lectures, he’s where that 10:1 calorie ratio comes from. Changing the food system to be sustainable without fossil fuels while feeding billions will be a monumental task.