Battery powered bicycles are becoming more and more popular with both young and older people alike. And why not? They’re easily charged up at home and are an ecological and cost-effective solution when it comes to getting around town. You can use one to run your errands or get to work, and of course, for recreational purposes. You don’t even have to use battery power all the time—the electric battery feature can be switched off, allowing you to get some exercise by pedalling in the ‘old fashioned’ way!
What’s The Buzz?
Electric bicycles are a fun and convenient way to get you where you want to go. They’re a durable transportation alternative which allows you to cover more ground with less physical effort than a traditional bike.
Here are some handy tips on how to get the most out of your electric bicycle – whether you’ve just recently purchased one or are in the planning stage to buy one.
Choosing The Right Electric Bicycle
An electric bicycle can be, as we mentioned, a cost-effective way to both get around town and country and a great way to get some exercise and enjoy some recreation. It’s not necessarily that the e-bike itself is cheap—more so that it replaces using a car (filled with expensive gas), taxi or Uber. Finding the right bike depends on what you need it for and what your budget can handle. Given that there are so many different types of electric bicycles on the market these days, it can be difficult to decide which one will fit you best.
To help you choose the right electric bicycle you’ll want to consider what your needs will be by asking yourself a few questions. Start by thinking about your level of expertise, then read on!
New To Biking?
- Do you want an electric bicycle that’s easy to ride and maintain?
- As a new bike rider, do you think you’d feel more comfortable and safe on an electric bicycle that has more of a cruiser style?
- Do you picture yourself riding a more racing style e-bike?
- Where will you be using your new e-bicycle the most and for what purpose? City streets? Country roads? Trails? Back and forth to work and to run errands? Recreation only? Sole means of transportation?
Seasoned Veteran?
- Are you an experienced ‘traditional bicycle’ cyclist who’s looking to try something new?
- Are you already a seasoned electric bike rider and want to upgrade your existing e-bike to something with a more powerful motor?
- What do you use your existing e-bike to do? Travel to work, running errands? Recreation? Sole means of transportation?
General E-bike Facts
Electric bicycles come in many different styles, so it’s important to find one that meets your needs and preferences.
- Do you want an electric bicycle that is fast or slow?
- Are you aware that an e-bike with a lower centre of gravity will make it easier to ride hills?
- Do you know that an e-bike with a high centre of gravity will make it easier to go faster on flat ground?
- Would you prefer an electric mountain bike?
- Did you know that, just like cars, you need to be aware that the price of an e-bike is contingent on the features it has – the more gizmos and gadgets, the more expensive it will be? There’s a lot of leeway on price should your budget be limited or to the contrary, the sky’s the limit. Shop around.
How To Get Started Riding
If you’ve never ridden an electric bicycle, learning to operate one can be a little confusing at first. The following are a few tips that will help you get started:
- Start by familiarising yourself with the controls on your electric bicycle before you even get on it to start riding. Many electric bicycles come with hand controls, which make it easy to moderate the speed and direction of the bike.
- Take the time to figure out how to turn the battery power on and off, if you wish to ride your e-bike without battery assistance. Most models include a pedalling option.
- Learn how to safely charge the battery of your electric bike.
- Before you go riding off into the wild blue yonder, be aware of just how far your bicycle can travel on a single battery charge. This vital information will determine the type and length of your trips. Factor in round trip distances if you know there will not be an electric charging station or outlet along the way.
And finally, before you take off, buy yourself a proper fitting helmet, install a bell and lights/reflectors, and purchase the best anti-theft lock you can afford. Bicycle theft is rampant just about everywhere, and the other items are the law in most provinces. Safety first!
For more about riding e-bikes, we recommend this website which is full of tips including the pros and cons of e-bikes, how to ride them efficiently, and other worthy information such as caring for your e-bike’s battery, what kind of vehicle rack you’ll need to transport it around, safety checks to perform and so on.
Have fun!
