If you are a new rider to an electric bike, a hundred thoughts would be crossing your mind each minute. For your information, electric bikes are a great source of transport and also eco-friendly at the same time. Your safety is equal to ours. Riding an electric bike is Fun but requires a lot of attention when you take your bike on roads with less or no experience. For safe practice, here are 16 tips for you to know how to ride an electric bike safely.
Although standard bikes and electric bikes have many similar precautions, there are some essential tips and guides you must follow before you start your journey. So, follow the precautions mentioned and ride without worrying about casualties. Also, I added some saving money tips; read out the complete article and save your money from it.
Essential 16 Tips to Know How to ride an Electric Bike Safely
Safety first. So, Beginners should always learn every safety rules to avoid unexpected experience. There are many different types of electric bikes, and it can take time to figure out which is best for you. Before riding your electric bike keep in your mind the things listed below:
1. Prepare Your Bike Before You Ride
Make the mechanic stuff done and gather all your riding gear. Get your bike ready before you leave for a ride. During the track, it can be more challenging to inspect if something goes wrong because you will need the inspecting tools to ensure everything is working. Ensure the working condition of your bike carefully before you decide your bike is ready to go for a ride.
2. Protect Your Head, Wear a Helmet
Wearing a helmet is a lifesaver. A well-fitting electric bike helmet helps you protect yourself as best as possible. If your head is dashed off the car windscreen or scraping along the road surface, it’s probably best to cover your head with something protective. The other body might heal, but the injured head might cost you your life. It is said to avoid a standard cyclist helmet, as professionals similarly wear purposely built electric bike helmets to withstand damage.
3. Do Not Wear Slippery Sandals
Cycling shoes are made for enhanced comfort and help grip you perform better with security. Hence there are two main types of cycling shoes, sneakers, which have flat bottoms and rubber bases. Others are clip-in shoes, also called clipless shoes, that clip directly into your pedals. The shoes with stiffer soles make it better to move energy from your legs to your bike, saving effort and preventing you from slipping your foot from the pedal.
4. Use The Headlights And Taillights
Most deadly accidents happen at night. The dark sky makes the roads darker, and vehicles often bump into each other. To protect yourself when the sun sets, turn on your bike lights. Some electric bikes have built-in headlights; others come homely. The dinky reflectors on your bike need to be better in the pitch dark. Though you either need to install headlights and taillights or, if it’s already there, remember to turn them on.
However, using headlights and taillights on rainy days becomes even more critical. Share roads with several types of vehicles, some of which will make it hard to see cyclists. Consider using a blinking light instead, in this case, on either the helmet or handlebars to make you more visible for others to see.
5. Beware Of Your Speed
If you are a new rider to an electric bike, there is a lot you need to learn about and take the most precautions to keep yourself and the bike always on the safe side. Managing speed as a beginner might take a lot of work. Here are a few tips if you think good of yourself and your bike.
Wait to maximize the speed. Give yourself time to get a good grip on the medium level.
Remember to slow down if you are navigating new streets. It’ll be challenging to stop immediately and then take turns you are not habitual of.
Ride defensively. Follow the traffic rules and do not rush on high bumpy roads. It might lose your hold over the bike and leave you injured.
6. Brake Earlier
Electric bikes are relatively faster and heavier than standard bikes. For professional handling, you need to get a lot of experience. Applying brakes at the last second, especially if it’s a wet road, could cause you to lose control. Therefore, you must become used to stopping early.
Although the breaking power will vary from company to company for each electric bike, after a few rides, you will get the idea of braking patterns. The better you know, the better experience you will get. The practice will help you become a professional electric bike rider.
Also, Check Out: Best Time To Buy A Bike: Works Only Under These Conditions
7. Use Bike Mirrors
Although mirrors are the least used object when on a bicycle, you need them for safety purposes. There is undoubtedly a risk of checking behind you by the glance over your shoulder and distracting your focus ahead. Meanwhile, adding rearview mirrors to your electric bike will allow you to put an eye behind you while not moving your neck entirely.
Statistically, you aren’t likely to be hit by a motorcyclist or chased by a stranger from behind. If you get to know any of them a little earlier, you will already take precautions and avoid something on the road.
8. Stay Conscious On Corners
Unarguably, electric bikes are more Fun to ride than traditional bikes as additional power is provided, which enhances the riding experience. However, turns are sometimes tricky. The traffic from all over and if the roads are wet makes the riding more complicated. You need to be more careful on corners to find your way out of such situations.
Other than this, speeding on corners is strictly forbidden. Also, try to prevent yourself from leaning too much around the corners.
9. Do Not Wear Uncomfortable Clothes
Though with the provided pedal assist, you are less likely to get sweaty while riding your electric bike. But as you reach a higher speed, the movement of your legs will cause high blood flow, which continues with a high heartbeat. That made you sweaty and hot eventually.
To feel uncomfortable, dress slightly in a tracking suit or outfit that absorbs sweat and makes you ride comfortably. Close-fitting clothing is appropriate that does not tangle in the chain or pedal. Protecting your palm with gloves and feet with socks is worth protecting your palm with socks, so your grip does not lose.
10. Obey The Traffic Laws
It doesn’t matter what vehicle you drive when you are on the roads. You are objected to following all the traffic laws.
Cyclists are as obedient to traffic rules as drivers in cars and on bikes.
In some countries, there are designated lanes for electric bikes and standard bike riders. If your place does not have it, try to be on the motorbikes lane.
Do not push yourself into spaces where you think you can fix yourself while you have a much narrow vehicle. That is against ethics and laws.
Never cycling as careless will disrupt the road. You will be held responsible.
Pavements are not for cyclists. Those are for the walking person.
It would be best if you did not carry passengers on your electric bikes until one is designed purposely.
Disobeying any rules will charge you exceptionally.
11. Avoid Distractions
Distractions divide your attention and cause damage later. The beer cans, smoking while riding, listening to songs, fixing something unrelated, or possibly your mind isn’t present. These things become a reason for road accidents, and these do not only hurt you but the other person as well.
Keep eye contact with the drivers. Stay focused on the road by watching out your way and the cars coming your way. And you should never ride when drunk!
12. Take The Right Lane and Know The Traffic Rules
Electric bikes are subjected to following the same standard traffic rules as regular bikes and electric cars. Remember the right lane. If there is a designated spot for an electric bike lane, stick there. Otherwise, you can be on the biker’s track but still wait for the green light. Only cycle on the pavements if they are specially designed for so. Disobeying traffic rules may lead you to pay hefty charges and put you under penalty.
In the United States, electric bikes are classified into two categories:
- Electric bikes have a pedal assist system and a maximum speed of 28mph.
- Eelectric bike have a throttle and a maximum speed of 20mph.
The rules and regulations for electric bikes can vary depending on the state, city, and municipality, but in general, electric bikes are treated similarly to traditional bicycles.
13. Plan Your Route
Planning your route before you leave is the best thing a rider can do. It saves time and helps ensure where you are. Find the possible minor routes and get you to the destination safely and fast. It’s also wise to use GPS to know where to take the next turn and get home safely.
14. Watch Out for Drunks
Be extra careful at night and on weekends. Especially on Saturdays and Sundays, you might bump into people who are high and are out in force. You might not want to contact them, but if you win, be careful. The first drunk to get you will claim the prize. You stay away from them, change your lane, speed it, or slow down if this isn’t possible, so they at least pass by you.
15. Have Fun
Enjoying your ride while ensuring the safety measures makes it all in the end. Remember to have Fun as it’s not just a travel carrier but provides you with a chance to exercise and gain fitness goals, get fresh air, refrain from stressful thoughts and save the earth. It’s a pollution-less vehicle that gets you to run quick errands without a bike or car. Nighttime riding is a different feel on silent nights and cold winds. You and your couple of friends are on rides together and discovering new sides of your town.
16. Wear The Right Clothing
Ensure you have the correct clothing for the day when you’re riding. The best way is to wear minimal or fitted clothing. It can prevent your clothes from floating in the air and getting stuck in chains. The wrong or floating outfits can even unbalance you when it tangles your feet or touches your face every time. If your area has frequent rain and shine, bring a full raincoat or armored layers if you plan on using the bike during wet periods.
The gym outfit is the right outfit that is made particularly for sports. Get stuck to your body and give you the most to enjoy.
Conclusion
Riding an electric bike is joyful but dangerous at the same time. Try not to take risks that could damage your electric bike or hurt you. Electric bikes are a great source of transport and also eco-friendly at the same time. So follow the abovementioned precautions and ride without worrying about casualties. Also, choose bikes from a brand like Rad Power Bikes that would give you a joyful ride and keep you safe. You could save money on Rad Power Bikes using Coupon Codes from Saving Says.