Being excited about your e-bike purchase or about converting your regular bicycle is natural. Of course you want to get right on and ride off, but before you do so, take a little time to make sure you know the do’s and don’ts of E-bike safety. After all, who wants to end up in the ER after only the first ride?
Wearing the right gear and clothing is very important in keeping you safe and adhering to the laws in your area. Safety gear includes:
• Helmet-most states require a helmet to be worn by the rider.
• Elbow and knee pads-not required but highly recommended.
• Sneakers or sports shoes that are in good repair. Make sure they have good tread or they may slip off pedals.
• Reflective patches/light colored clothing when riding at night. Safety vests are specially equipped with reflectors and bright colors.
• Sunglasses designed for motorbike riding to keep the sun and debris away from eyes.
• Gloves
Helmets have saved countless lives and more people could have been saved if they had been wearing one. Don’t buy a helmet just because it’s cheap. You may be sacrificing safety if you do. This holds true for any safety equipment. The best sunglasses are the kind that use polycarbonate lenses because they’re shatter-proof, which will prevent eye injury from a broken lens.
Gloves provide a non-slip grip, giving the rider better control over the E-bike, lessening the likelihood of an accident. They also prevent blisters and protect the hands if there is an accident. Elbow and knee pads are essential for safety. In the event of an accident, they protect you from getting severe brush burns, scrapes, and cuts. They’ll also help prevent joint injuries such as a broken knee cap, torn ACL or meniscus, and various other tendons or ligaments.
Almost everyone who has ever ridden a bike has been warned about taking even more precautions when riding at night. Riding an E-bike is no different and in fact, even more crucial to ensuring your safety but that of drivers, too. This is where reflective patches on clothing or safety vests come into play. Anything that will catch the headlights of oncoming traffic will increase the chances that the driver will see you and be able to avoid you. In addition, bright colored clothing should be worn.
As with any other outdoor sport, the proper footwear is imperative for the rider. Athletic shoes are best since they have the best tread to avoid slippage of the foot off the pedal. Wearing good shoes while riding your E-bike can prevent broken bones and torn ligaments and tendons. Some sneakers are sold with reflective strips, making them great for riding at night.
When we’re young, we think that we are invincible, but we all know that’s not true. It may not be “cool” to wear protective gear when we’re riding an E-bike, but it would be even more un-cool to have an accident and become seriously injured. Remember; safety doesn’t mean keeping just yourself safe, but those around you safe as well.
