In recent years electric bike sales have soared. eBikes have proven to be an effective alternative to car travel over short distances. The variety of eBikes combine different levels of speed and pedal assistance. Some different model types of eBikes include cruiser, hybrid commuter and full-suspension mountain bikes. If you’re thinking of buying your first eBike, here are a couple of smart tips you can follow when riding it.
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 pedaling or propel you to speeds up to 20 miles per hour. eBike motors are typically equipped with a regulator that prevents you from traveling higher than 28 miles per hour. This is a safety precaution to help prevent more severe accidents. Pedaling faster will only tire you out with the desired result of traveling 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, eBikes 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 eBikes allow you to ride as fast as 28 mph. At the pinnacle of speed, you are going as fast as a car. eBikes fit in the space between traditional bikes and mopeds. Often eBike 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, eBikes resemble traditional bikes, making it difficult for drivers to gauge the rate of speed at which you are traveling while using the bike lane. It may be tempting to ride in the street but is it not safe to do so. Going as fast as a car in traffic can put you at greater risk for collision.
eBike Considerations
A few things to consider when purchasing an eBike are cost, potential use, and where you plan to ride your bike. You should keep in mind that while the average eBike 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 eBike usage or required licenses.
If you're looking for an eBike, there are a lot of great options out there. Before buying one, it’s important to do your research to make sure that you can be smart about riding your new eBike once you get it. Knowing how to safely operate them is the first step in making sure your eBike ownership experience is great.
