Simple Tips for Riding Your E-Bike For The First Time

In recent years electric bike sales have soared because they have proven to be an effective alternative to car travel over short distances. So maybe you are thinking of getting one, but worried about that first ride!? Today we will look at a few simple tips for that first ride on your brand-new e-bike…

Pedaling Harder Doesn’t Necessarily Make You Go Faster

On a traditional bike, the harder and faster you pedal the faster you will go. With an eBike, the motor is either designed to assist in the ease of pedalling or propel you to speeds up to 20 miles per hour. eBike motors are typically equipped with a regulator that prevents you from travelling higher than 28 miles per hour. This is a safety precaution to help prevent more severe accidents. Pedalling faster will only tire you out with the desired result of travelling faster. At times riders experience accidents because they attempt to accelerate before the motor begins to assist the rider. It is also important to note, e-bikes can be significantly heavier than traditional bikes increasing speed without the rider’s effort in downhill travel.

Pay Attention To Your Speed

As mentioned before e-bikes allow you to ride as fast as 28 mph. At the pinnacle of speed, you are going as fast as a car. E-bikes fit in the space between traditional bikes and mopeds. Often e-bike riders choose to ride on the sidewalk or in the bike lane. If you are not careful, you can cause an accident by not properly vocalizing your location to others on trails and paths. Without close inspection, e-bikes resemble traditional bikes, making it difficult for drivers to gauge the rate of speed at which they are travelling while using the bike lane. It may be tempting to ride in the street but is it not safe to do so all the time. It is also worth pointing out that going as fast as a car in traffic can put you at greater risk for collision.

E-Bike Considerations

A few things to consider when purchasing an e-bike are cost, potential use, and where you plan to ride your bike. You should keep in mind that while the average e-bike ride is 5.95 miles it is important to calculate your travel distance for battery life compatibility. Determine if you have access to safe areas to ride and investigate local and state laws regarding e-bike usage or required licenses.

If you’re looking for an e-bike, there are a lot of great options out there and in our shop. Before buying one, it’s important to do your research to make sure that you can be smart about riding your new e-bike once you get it. Knowing how to safely operate them is the first step in making sure your experience is a good one.