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Credit: Stephen Johnson
The Definitive Guide to E-Bike Safety
It’s estimated that a million e-bikes were sold in the United States in 2023, and the holidays have no doubt brought an army of excited new riders to the fold. If that’s you, congratulations on your new ride and hobby! But please read this before you ride off into the sunset. E-bikes are faster and heavier than normal bikes, making them more dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. The following tips will lessen your chances of breaking your fool neck on your new ride.
If you didn’t get an e-bike this year for Christmas, show Santa that you can take care of yourself by buying one these awesome e-bikes.
Suggested products
Five Ten Freerider DLX Mountain Bike Shoes
AstroAI Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor Pump
Before you go on your first ride
Read the manual
Don’t take your first cruise around the neighborhood until you’ve read the manual. Most e-bike controls are easy to understand but some have unusual quirks, and it’s better to learn about them before you’re on the road.
Safety First
Wear a helmet
The benefit of wearing a helmet in preventing serious head injuries during bike accidents is obvious, but it’s even more important to protect your brain if you’re riding an unfamiliar, motorized vehicle. All helmets are not the same, so make sure yours is solid, comfortable, and properly fitted. While any helmet is better than no helmet, the best solution is a helmet designed for the faster speeds of e-biking.
Wear the right shoes
When it comes to safety, your shoes are not nearly as important as your helmet, but they still matter. You could pick up a pair of stiff-soled shoes specifically made for biking, but for casual riding, you can get away with a pair of tennis shoes, as long as they fit snugly enough to stay on your feet and don’t have anything that winds around the pedals or chain—watch the laces. Never ride barefoot, in flip-flops, or in sandals. If you get more serious, a decent pair of mountain biking shoes and some good pedals will keep your feet in place while you ride.
Wear brightly colored clothing
Wear brightly colored clothing to stay as visible as possible to drivers and other bikers. Make sure nothing you have on can get entangled in the pedals or in the chain. Bike shorts aren’t mandatory, but they do a lot to keep your bum from hurting.
Install a mirror
I confess, I hate bike mirrors, but I recognize the wisdom of not having to take my eyes off the road to glance behind me.
Check your ride
Before you head out, check the following on your bike: