The Safety tips guide for riding an e-bike

E-bikes are becoming more and more popular. Electric bikes are a great alternative to cars when you typically travel short distances and don’t want the hassle of driving a car. They can be beneficial for those with limited mobility or those who live in a place where biking is impractical.You can also carry more luggage on an e-bike, so they are great for shopping and commuting.

Riding an e-bike is similar to riding a regular bike—all the safety rules that apply to bikes also apply to electric bikes. In addition to standard bike rules, there are a few extra precautions an e-bike rider should be aware of to help them remain safe on the road.

Read your E-bike manual

Get to know your e-bike first by reading your manual. Learning how your e-bike works and its extra power will help you be a more informed rider.

Be careful mounting and dismounting

Because of the extra weight of the e-bike, it's important to get on and off your e-bike carefully, so you don't tip it over and injure yourself. When purchasing your e-bike, try different frames to make sure you can easily mount and dismount the e-bike.

Be Aware of Your Speed

If you are new to e-bike riding or exploring a new area, don’t make the mistake of turning your speed setting right up to maximum straight away. Get used to the differences in handling between a manual and an electric assisted bike and remember to slow down and get used to your surroundings if you are navigating new streets. When you have a bit more experience under your belt you can notch the dial up to turbo and feel the wind in your hair with more confidence!

Brake Earlier

Electric bikes move faster and are heavier than regular bikes, so you need to get used to braking earlier at road crossings and stop signs. Braking sharply at the last minute, especially in wet weather conditions, could cause you to lose control of the bike.

The braking power of each e-bike will vary depending on the manufacturer, the level of wear and the weather conditions, so make it your mission to become familiar with your e-bike’s braking pattern. The better you know it the safer you will be.

Practice before heading out

Practice riding your e-bike in an empty parking lot or another open space. This will help you learn how to control your e-bike and to travel at a speed you will be comfortable with on busier streets.

Be visible

Equip your e-bike with lights in addition to reflectors that come standard on an e-bike. To be seen at night, use a white front light and a rear red light. You may also consider purchasing a light for your helmet.

Install warning devices

Make sure your e-bike has a bell and a horn. To alert cars to your presence, use your horn and to warn pedestrians, use the bell. These warning devices could help save you from potential collisions.

Add a mirror

Using a mirror in addition to turning your head is another way to stay safe. It can help you make adjustments based on seeing how fast and close cars are coming up from behind you.

Keep your tires at the right pressure

Because e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes, it's important to keep the tires at the right pressure as indicated in your e-bike manual. With the right inflation, you'll have better control over your e-bike.

Slow down ahead of time

As you approach intersections or hazards, because you are traveling at higher speeds, you'll want to be mindful of braking and slowing down ahead of time.

Protect Your Head

Protect yourself as best you can by always wearing a well-fitting e-bike helmet, even if you are just dashing down the road for a pint of milk.

It is worth investing in a purpose-built e-bike helmet, as opposed to a standard cycling helmet, as these are similar in construction to the helmets worn by professional cyclists and are designed to withstand harder impacts. Some even offer nifty integrated features such as built-in lights and bone conductor headphones.

Pay Close Attention to Both Wheeled and Foot Traffic

Most motorists and pedestrians are unused to sharing the road with e-bikes. They expect all two-wheeled traffic to be traveling at the speed of a manual bike. Your higher top speeds may well take them by surprise and this dangerous assumption could lead to risky scenarios. Motorists may wrongly assume that they have plenty of time to nip out of a side road into your path and pedestrians may think they can cross safely in front of you before you reach them. With this in mind, be extra vigilant about the traffic around you and if in doubt, slow down.

Stand Out From the Crowd

The majority of e-bikes are used in urban environments where cyclists are competing with a host of other road users and external distractions, all of which are vying for a driver’s attention. Give yourself the best chance to be spotted early by wearing colours that clash with your environment. Choose high-viz colours during the day and remember to include reflective elements in your kit if you are likely to be riding after dark, as these will glow brightly in car headlights and help to alert drivers to your presence.

Limit Distractions

Whether it’s a stunning rural vista or a billboard advertising a discount at your favourite shop, bike rides are full of potential distractions. Try not to let anything take your attention away from the important job of cycling safely to your chosen destination. Put your phone on silent and don’t look at it until you are safely off the road.

Obey All Traffic Laws

Standard electric bikes are subject to the same traffic laws as regular bikes and you must remember the following:

Stop at traffic lights – they aren’t just for cars. Some have a designated spot for cyclists at the front of the queue, but you still have to wait for the green light.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Due to the pedal assistance offered by e-bikes, you are less likely to get hot and sweaty riding them, which is one of the reasons why they are so handy for commuting. Due to the higher speeds you can reach, the average wind chill on an e-bike is higher too. The combination of these factors means that you need to dress slightly differently to ride an e-bike than you would to ride a regular bike. Layering up and wearing a lightly padded jacket on top, with close-fitting clothing on your bottom half that won’t tangle in the chain or pedals is appropriate for all but the hottest and coldest days in the UK. It’s also worth protecting your extremities with gloves, warm socks and a buff on colder days.

Stick to cycle tracks and lanes where possible and join the cars in the road where there is no special provision for cyclists. Never cycle on the pavement.

Unless specially designed to do so, you should never carry passengers on your electric bike.

Carry Out Regular Maintenance Checks

Depending on how regularly you use your e-bike, you should get it serviced ever 6-12 months with a reputable service provider. In addition, you should carry out regular checks at home to ensure that the tyres are properly inflated, the brakes are in full working order, the chain is properly oiled and that all the key nuts and bolts are sufficiently tight.

We hope these tips will help you get even more joy and safe during riding your e-bike!

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