Before you hit the open road on your electric bike, you must consider several best practices. Because an e-bike differs from a traditional bike, it isn’t safe to assume you can manage it on your own. The motor, tires, and chain system all require specific care and maintenance to ensure rider safety and the bike’s health.
Read the Manual
You should always make it a habit to read the manual and refresh your knowledge of it. This can ensure you can help yourself in a pinch if you need to reference something while on a ride.
Additionally, the manual will help you learn best practices around bike care, proper maintenance, and parts specifications. Every e-bike requires a specific chain style, and it’s vital to get this feature correct and learn how to maintain it per the manual.
Learn the Brakes Well
Take yourself for a ride through the neighborhood to get a good grasp of how to brake. Practice different braking scenarios, from abrupt to planned ones, to ensure you’re ready for any situation. It’s best to start slowing down ahead of time if you predict a stop. This can ensure your safety and the safety of others.
Practice Turns
While practicing your braking, practice the turning. The weight of an e-bike varies drastically from a standard bike due to the motor and distribution of energy. Don’t force a tight turn but get comfortable handling misguided turns and dodging unexpected bumps in the road. This best practice can help you ride your e-bike with confidence.
Always Wear Safety Gear
After you graduate from practice to reality and take on more commuter rides, you should always wear the proper safety gear. A helmet, a reflective garment, and a headlamp at night can help you travel safely and make your presence known to those you share the road with.
Check the Tires
Regardless of bike style, you should always check the tires’ health. An imbalanced bike can lead to avoidable safety hazards while riding. Refer to the manual for the best PSI ratings and ensure the pathway you ride is compatible with the tire shape and size. There are alternative tires available for varied terrain.
Staying safe while riding a bike is always a concern for many. But with a few measures and basics, you can ride in peace knowing you did your part to protect yourself.
