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Have you been riding an e-bike all year and now wonder if you can keep it up into the winter months? Don’t worry. You can ride your trusty e-bike all year round. But since the winter months throw extra challenges, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to be prepared.
Winter e-bike tips
As discussed in the previous blog, your ebike battery is one of the most important components of an electric bike. It’s also one of the system’s most expensive and sensitive parts. Cold temperatures call for extra care. It is essential not to leave your battery out in the cold for an extended period. Your battery won’t die if you sit outside one night, so don’t worry if you forget it. It’s not good for its long-term life cycle to let it sit in cold, wet conditions regularly.
It’s important to remember never to charge the battery when its temperature is below freezing (32oF or 0oC).
When it gets freezing, it’s even better to store your bike indoors at room temperature, allowing it to charge more effectively and go farther.
If your e-bike has a removable battery, you can just bring it inside.
When you finish riding your e-bike, be sure to wipe it down to remove any salty mud or snow that may have stuck to it. Although most e-bikes have rust-resistant components, the salty glaze can cause corrosion in some areas. A quick rule of thumb…If you ride daily, clean your bike with soap and water once a week.
Riding in the winter
Winter commutes are not like riding in other seasons. Starting off slow and acknowledging your experience level is essential if this is your first winter ride. For new riders, it’s best to take a test ride without a motor first to get a feel for the terrain. Give yourself more time for braking than you would in the summer. You never know when you might hit a patch of black ice!
Ice can pose a severe problem for e-bikes. E-bikes do not have the advantage of four-wheel stability like cars. On the ice, losing traction usually means going down hard.
Be seen, be safe
Winter’s short days and limited visibility make bike lighting even more crucial. Many e-bikes come with LED lighting that runs off the main battery, but adding extra lights will make you safer.
See all our eBike lights HERE
Dress for the weather:
Have you ever ridden a bike in cold weather without gloves? A word of advice: don’t.
Frostbite occurs when skin and tissue are exposed to freezing temperatures – typically, frostbite can affect any part of your body. Still, the extremities, such as the hands, feet, ears, nose and lips, are most likely to be affected. In the UK, there are around 30 to 60 cases every winter.
Frostbite is a dangerous condition that can happily be avoided with water-resistant gloves, clothing, and shoes.
Your hands are exposed to the air rushing around the handlebars, quickly chilling fingers to the bone. Even good gloves can get chilly after a while. Make sure your neck is protected as well! Old-fashioned scarves are fine, but tube scarves or neck gaiters, or even balaclavas, are better.
Importantly if you don’t use a helmet while cycling, now is the time to invest in one.
See our helmets HERE
Be safe while eBiking in the winter!
If you want to keep riding your e-bike throughout the winter, then go for it! With just a few simple precautions, its both safe and fun!!
