![]() ![]() “Eye contact is the best form of communication with a driver,” she says. Dewey says that the best way to know if a driver sees you is to make eye contact with the driver. To be clear, drivers should be aware of riders around them-but we unfortunately know that isn’t always the case. If you’re on the road and hit the e-assist and increase your speed suddenly, it can cause confusion for drivers. For cargo bikes, check for anything (straps, bags) flapping around or hanging loose, and make sure nothing is interfering with the wheels turning or the pedals.Į-bikes can potentially be more unpredictable for drivers: Drivers have a certain expectation of how fast a cyclist can ride.Are any quick releases closed/are the wheels mounted securely?.Are the chain, cassette, and chainrings free of debris?.“Before you even get on your bike, do your quick bike check,” says Dewey. In fact, because you’re likely carrying more and going faster, regular maintenance is even more important. (And as Dewey noted earlier, depending on your bike setup, you may accidentally hit the throttle when you mean to brake-so it’s pretty crucial to learn where your brakes are!) Do Your Regular Bike CheckĮ-bikes might feel more like a car or motorcycle, but they do require the same TLC that your regular bike does. This is especially true for cyclists who’ve never been able to push high speeds on the bike before-there are many e-bike riders who’ve never gone over 15 mph on standard bikes and may find the higher speeds intimidating. “You may also need more force in order to stop, especially for abrupt stops.” Because of this, spend time in a parking lot without cars around to better understand how to smoothly stop when going at higher speeds. “Your stopping distance might be a little longer on an e-bike, too,” says Dewey. Sounds simple, but depending on your bike setup, this may take some getting used to! ![]() “Be very aware of the difference between your throttle and the brake lever,” she says. Whatever you do, Dewey adds: “Do not accidentally hit the throttle on your e-bike when you’re initiating the turn!” A handlebar throttle, which you typically engage by twisting the handle (different than pedal-assist), will be near the brakes. This is another good reason to practice in a parking lot, even setting up some cones in order to test exactly how much space it takes for you to make a turn at different speeds. If you’re using an e-cargo bike, Dewey says, it’s also important to understand that your turning radius is going to be wider than the tight turns you make on a road bike. “With the heavier battery, you do need to think about how you’re leaning, because it can change your balance point,” she says. On an e-bike, this is all still important, but Dewey points out that the heavier e-bikes may not be as smooth at cornering as your 15-pound road bike. When cornering on a road bike, you’re often given a few standard cues: Outside foot down, look around the corner at where you want to go, lean into the turn, and don’t brake while in the turn. It would be a bummer to buy a great new e-bike capable of hitting 25 mph only to realize you can’t legally ride it on the bike path you use to commute to work! Dewey suggests checking local regulations around what you can ride on the road, bike path, and the trail near you, as some spots have regulations around electric bikes. That means if you’re buying a new e-bike, make sure you understand what kind of bike you’re buying.īefore you buy, understand what your top speed will be as you ride. “There is such a broad range of e-bike styles, from the type of bike-cruiser, road, mountain bike, cargo bike-to the style of e-assist that it offers,” says Dewey. Understand Where You Can Take Your E-Bike Here, she shares some valuable tips for smart e-bike handling skills. But education around them is definitely key: the faster the speeds, the higher the risk of a more serious crash.” E-bikes are a great addition to the transportation landscape. “There are so many people who never thought about traveling by bike, and now they’re finding it’s easy to get to places without getting sweaty, while carrying more stuff. “E-bikes have really expanded cycling,” says Dewey. Play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play ![]()
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