The Essentials of E-Bike Road Safety
December 10, 2022Most people who buy an e-bike do so for their daily commute and for most people that means they will be on the road most of the time. This is not a post about UK road laws and regulations as most people already know them. This is a post about general safety and the safety of others as you ride your e-bike to work…
Know At Least The Basics of The Highway code
Do you really know what to do when you come to a yellow light? Do you really know the rules around the cycle box at junctions? What about how to navigate a roundabout? By knowing the basics of the highway code you will be able to read signs, stay safe and avoid causing problems for other road users.
Stay On The Roads and Cycle Paths
The number of e-bike riders I see using the pavements like their own cycle lane is appalling. Under no circumstances should you be riding on the pavement or pedestrian-only paths as it is not only dangerous for other people, but crashing into someone/something could also cause you serious harm as well.
Think About Other Road Users
It’s not just getting from A to B that you need to think about, you also need to think about other vehicles that are using the road. If you are making a turn let people know that you are and slow down for it. Even if you are making small pull-outs to avoid a parked car, let other people know you are doing so.
Make Sure You Can Be Seen
While we are not saying you have to dress up like a glow-in-the-dark pen, you should at least have lights and reflectors, especially on these darker winter days. Even something as simple as LED wheel lights can make a significant difference to your visibility.
The truth is you can put all these road safety tips under one single umbrella and that is “Don’t be an idiot.” At the end of the day, people already think of e-bikes as a bad thing as the press and social media are full of anti-e-bike rhetoric. If you comply with all UK e-bike laws and follow the highway code there should be no reason for people to be annoyed at you and you will be as safe as possible.
