Electric bicycles have surged in popularity recently, with their sales skyrocketing in the US from 2020 to 2021. Industry data shows over 800,000 e-bikes were purchased in 2021 alone, indicating these battery-powered bikes have become mainstream.
The appeal of e-bikes is the pedal assistance from a small electric motor and battery. This allows riders to go farther with less effort at higher speeds versus traditional bikes. However, with these benefits comes a greater need for safety awareness and precautions. E-bikes can reach 20 mph or more, increasing risks if proper safety isn’t followed. Their quiet operation also makes it harder for pedestrians and cyclists to hear them approaching.
While e-bikes offer various advantages, including empowering those with limitations, riders must educate themselves and take proper precautions to prevent injuries and collisions. Learning key safety guidelines is essential for responsible and defensive e-bike riding.
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Buy an Affordable Yet Safe E-bike
E-bikes are more expensive than regular bicycles, so buying one within your budget is understandable. However, don’t compromise too much on quality – cheaper e-bikes often skimp on safety features and use lower-quality components.
Look for reputable brands with adequate safety ratings. Consider Heybike e-bikes that have garnered positive reviews for their quality and safety features. Ensure the brakes are high-quality and the battery is from a trusted supplier. Spending a little more upfront, perhaps on trusted brands like Heybike, will help prevent accidents and give you peace of mind when riding.
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Understand Your E-bike’s Power and Speed
Learning the power output and maximum assisted speed of your e-bike model is extremely crucial to ensure safety. Most e-bikes assist up to 20 mph, but some can reach 28 mph or higher. The greater power and speed capabilities of e-bikes mean you can unintentionally exceed the conditions of bike paths and roads.
Obey all local speed limits, be cautious of your speed when passing pedestrians, and take care when accelerating. The handlebar display can help monitor your speed.
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Wear a Properly Fitted Helmet
Always wear a helmet when riding an e-bike. This is the most important safety rule there is. As e-bikes can reach higher speeds than regular bicycles, the risk of injury in a crash is greater. Your helmet needs to meet safety standards and fit properly – it should sit level on your head and low on your forehead, with the chin strap fastened snugly.
When buying a helmet, opt for one with extra coverage at the back to protect your head if you fall backward. In case of an injury or accident, if there’s any significant impact on the helmet, make sure to replace it. Investing in a quality helmet drastically reduces the risk of head injuries, which can be severe or fatal when riding an e-bike.
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Inspect and Maintain Your E-bike Regularly
Regular inspections and maintenance on your e-bike are a must to ensure that there are no issues with it before you head out.
- Make sure to check the tire pressure and tread depth.
- Ensure the brakes are functioning properly.
- Inspect the chain for tightness and lubrication.
- Look for any loose parts that need tightening.
- Make sure lights and reflectors are clean and working.
- Keep your battery charged and stored properly when not in use.
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Increase Your Visibility
As e-bikes are faster and quieter than regular bicycles, make sure that you maximize your visibility to others around you. How can you do that?
- Use flashing front and rear lights, even during the daytime.
- Wear bright and reflective clothing so you’re easily noticed.
- Install additional reflective strips on your bike frame.
- Ride where you’re most visible on the road.
- Be aware of blind spots around parked cars and at intersections.
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Learn and Obey E-bike Laws
Familiarize yourself with the classification system and local laws for e-bikes in your state or region. Different classes have specific rules regarding speed limits, minimum rider age, licensing requirements, and riding locations permitted.
Obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings while riding. Ride defensively and predict how car drivers may react to you. Adhering to the law keeps you and others safe while preventing you from being penalized.
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Use Caution at Higher Speeds
The electric motor allows e-bikes to reach higher speeds than regular bikes, so additional precautions are required.
- Brake earlier when approaching intersections or traffic lights.
- Maintain control over uneven surfaces that can throw you off balance at high speeds.
- Be extremely cautious of wet, icy, or slippery conditions that reduce traction.
- Avoid high speeds on crowded bike paths or areas with pedestrians.
- Slow down and announce yourself when passing other cyclists.
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Limit Distractions
Minimize distractions to stay focused on safety while riding your e-bike. Avoid listening to music through headphones, which reduces your awareness of surrounding traffic sounds. Also, refrain from using your phone for texting, emailing, or social media when riding. Your focus and attention should completely be on the road and your surroundings.
If you need to use your phone, safely pull over and stop first. Stay alert, and don’t ride while overly tired or impaired. Distracted riding significantly increases your chances of an accident occurring.
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Practice Emergency Braking
Practice braking hard in an empty parking lot to get a feel for your e-bike’s stopping distance at different speeds. Emergency braking is a useful skill all e-bike riders should master.
Squeeze your brakes hard without locking the wheels, and shift your weight backward. It’s important to understand that wet conditions increase braking distance. You need to be able to get comfortable stopping rapidly to avoid potential collisions and react to sudden road hazards. Improving your emergency braking skills gives you greater control over your e-bike.
Conclusion
E-bikes provide many advantages for commuting, exercise, and recreation. However, their additional power and speed capabilities require extra safety awareness from riders.
Follow these tips to protect yourself and responsibly share roads and paths with others. Prioritize wearing a helmet and maintaining your e-bike. Obey local laws and don’t exceed sensible speeds. Remember to ride safely and limit distractions.
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