Ride Your E-Bike Safely by Following These Five Tips

E-bikes offer more speed and convenience, but many riders forget they are still bicycles that present the usual dangers. The same bicycle safety rules in Naples, FL that apply to conventional bicycles are still relevant to e-bikes. You want to avoid crashes due to the mere fact that you move with more speed, which increases injury risk. Here are five tips for a safe e-bike ride:

• Wear a helmet: Head injuries are painful and disabling. Since you move faster on an e-bike, you need a helmet for additional protection. Even if you are super careful, you never know when a driver might cut you off, or another rider crash into you. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially since bicycle riding comes with vulnerabilities. Even if you do not crash, helmets protect you from UV rays and reduce the likelihood of sunburn on your scalp or face.
• Install lights: Good bicycle lighting helps drivers see you. Look for e-bike lights, including warning and strap signals. Reflecting lights help you become less invisible and keep you safe after sunset. If you plan to ride at night often, look into headlights. You will see better in the dark, and most importantly, drivers will see you better. Also, consider adding a horn or bell so you can warn pedestrians to move over and keep car drivers from opening a door in front of you or stepping into your path.
• Ride with traffic: Do not move in the opposite traffic direction. Ride in a bike lane in the direction of traffic. If there is no bike lane, move as much to the right as you can without riding on the sidewalk and pedestrian paths. Only two percent of total accidents are cars hitting bikes from the side and rear; they are far more likely to hit you head-on. Moving against traffic also leaves you more vulnerable to being hit by open car doors or cars swerving to overtake you.
• Maintain a charge: Charge your bike when needed, as well as before long trips. Many riders depend on assistance from the electric motor, and when it dies, they find their bikes difficult to ride. Rather than place yourself in a slower and more vulnerable position, maintain a charged motor and know it is available when you need it.
• Allow more braking distance: When you have a motor assisting your ride, you move quicker. That means your bike needs more time and distance to make a complete stop. Slow down well ahead of time for stops, and start to use the brakes earlier than you would on a conventional bike. If you just purchased an e-bike, ride it in low-traffic areas first so you know how it handles and what to expect with acceleration and braking.

Big Momma’s Bicycles offers e-bikes and bicycles for sale in Naples, FL. We also have accessories, like helmets and other bicycle safety equipment. Visit us today to see what we offer and learn more about staying safe on the road.

Categorised in: E-Bikes