Electric bikes are a thrilling way to explore the outdoors and get around town during the warm summer weather. While you may be eager to hop on your e-bike and ride, it’s important to be aware of the mistakes first time riders often make, so you can avoid them yourself. Today, we’ll go over the five most common mistakes people make while riding an electric bike.
Ignoring Safety Gear
One of the most critical errors you can make is not putting on the appropriate safety gear before you head out. At minimum, you need to be wearing a helmet to protect your head in case of a crash or any kind of accident. You should also consider wearing gloves, knee pads, or elbow pads. Visibility is also key: reflective vests and other bright accessories are a must, especially if you plan on riding in low-light conditions. Safety takes absolute priority, so don't compromise when it comes to the protective gear you wear.
Neglecting Battery Maintenance
If you don't have a functioning battery, your high-power e-bike just becomes a much heavier standard bike. Most e-bikes can still act as a regular bike without the battery, but they become more difficult to pedal, and you lose access to the ever-helpful pedal assist that defines electric bikes. That’s why you need to take proper care of your battery. Avoid overcharging your battery or completely draining the battery to zero. This can affect the battery’s overall lifespan, thereby lowering the bike’s effective range. In addition, avoid temperature extremes, as well as exposure to contaminants and moisture. For more information on how to keep your battery in the best shape, check out both our battery care guide and our cold weather maintenance guide.
Improper Tire Pressure
Don't deal with a bumpy ride just because you forgot to inflate your tires. A majority of riders don’t check their tire pressure as frequently as they should. This leads to reduced traction, poor handling, and a greater risk of your tires popping or becoming punctured. Reference your e-bike’s manual or the sidewall of the tire to find the correct pressure before you ride. Make sure that you also avoid inflating your tires to pressures over the recommended PSI, as this will put unnecessary stress on the tire and tire tube. Furthermore, when you ride, try to steer clear of construction zones or areas with a lot of debris: nails, sharp rocks, and other hazards can damage your tires, meaning you’ll need to replace them. If you want to keep your rides smooth and make the most of your tires, be sure to pay attention to your tire pressure and the condition of the road.
No Preventative Maintenance
Just like a regular bike, e-bikes require regular maintenance to preserve their performance. Simple things like checking your brakes, cleaning/lubricating the chain, and shifting gears properly can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches in the future. We recommend establishing a routine and performing key maintenance checks periodically: the longer an issue goes unnoticed, the worse it will be to fix. If you encounter any problems while you're examining your ride, be sure to consult our Troubleshooting Guide, and don't ride until you've resolved the issue you found. By making a habit of checking your bike’s condition and maintaining its different parts, you’ll be able to keep your e-bike going as long as possible.
Breaking Traffic Laws
While e-bikes are subject to different rules and regulations than cars and motorcycles, that doesn’t mean you can ignore the rules of the road. You must follow the appropriate laws and guidelines set out by your county, city, or state regarding electric bikes. Ignoring them gives e-bike riders everywhere a bad name and, more importantly, puts you in harm's way. Avoid riding on sidewalks and in areas where pedestrians are usually present. Whether you’re riding in the street or the bike lane, you’re operating a vehicle, just like everyone else on the road. Observe traffic signals, use hand signals for turning, and yield when you are required to do so. You should also be aware of your surroundings, riding conservatively and defensively to protect yourself and others. Cars are often unaware of or outright ignore bike lanes if they aren't separated by a barrier of some kind, so please ride with caution when going on the road.
Following these guidelines can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle, letting you make the most of your e-bike adventures. Just remember to ride safely, follow the rules of the road and always wear a helmet!
