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E Bikes

Date:
By  Ruth Dare
Category: Cycling

Our club welcomes riders with ebikes, and we have separate guidelines to help our ebike riders. It is expected that the number of members with ebikes will continue to grow into the future and the article below may be useful for both members with ebikes and those considering an ebike. This information came from a post on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

A local ambulance officer recently told me that the majority of cycling accidents that they attend to on the rail trail involve ebikes. This could be for a number of reasons, including the high number of ebikes on the rail trail, but another reason could be that ebikes are heavier and more powerful, so they require a different set of skills.

This great article by our friend Chris Foggin from NZ that I'm sharing with his permission might be helpful to anyone less experienced with ebikes.


Scenario:
“I’m a 64 yr old woman and for 30+ years I have ridden a 26” front suspension MTB fairly aggressively and competently. Recently I purchased a LIV 29” full suspension eMTB and at one point I actually thought I’d made a huge mistake because I’ve been having so much trouble adapting to the new riding style. Weight, tyre size and geometry are all contributing factors resulting in lack of confidence, which directly contributes to less skilful riding. I’m still working on cornering with a modicum of swearing because “I should be able to do this!”. But at least I’m beginning to realise I have to adjust my mindset and riding approach when going between my light, agile 26” bike and my 29" eMTB."


EDAPTABILITY describes the need to be adaptable and open to learn the nuances of an e-bike and the skills required to ride one.
The e-bike revolution has been incredibly positive for the cycling industry on many levels; economic benefits for bike retailers and cycle tourism, the physical and mental health benefits for many who have taken up cycling again, or are encouraged for the first time and, of course, a carbon-free transport alternative to the car.
It’s also kept many riders out there on bikes when they may have considered ‘retiring’ from cycling.
‘E’ technology is ever improving and increasing the opportunities for people to go further, and we are seeing thousands of adults coming back to riding having been off the bike for years and many starting out later in life.
After all......it’s just like riding a bike, isn’t it?
Well, no, it’s not really….
The fact is that e-bikes do a great job, but they’re heavier, usually faster, have a different frame geometry and so do not handle quite the same as conventional bikes.
I frequently see folk struggling to handle an e-bike and exposing themselves, or other trail users, to the risk of injury.
However, by taking the time to understand the nuances of riding an e-bike and learning some basic handling skills, such risks can be minimised and also improve your enjoyment of electrified bike riding.
Whether renting an e-bike on holiday, planning to buy a new e-bike or if you’re an existing e-bike owner, here are some tips and tricks to help you stay safe out on the trail.…because it is NOT just like riding a bike!
Horses for courses.
Not all e-bikes are the same. Just like normal, unpowered bikes, e-bikes come in various shapes and sizes, each better suited to different sorts of riding and riders. For example, a city bike with a step through frame and an upright sitting position designed for urban commuting may not be suitable for trail riding on gravel surfaces.
Some cheaper models have surge anomalies - which means they may be fine for getting away from traffic lights, but no good in off-road environments where more refined control is required.
Whether buying or renting, choose an e-bike to suit the terrain and your style of riding.
E-bikes are heavy.
The first thing many cyclists do when checking out a new bike is lifting it to gauge the weight. You’re in for a big surprise if you try that with an e-bike! The battery, motor, extra components, and reinforced frame make e-bikes much heavier than standard bikes, albeit they are getting lighter. Modern geometry and engineering help improve handling despite its weight, and obviously, the motor-assist makes the extra kilos disappear when you start to pedal.
However, you’ll need more muscle to hoist an e-bike onto your car rack or up and down stairs, or even to ‘throw’ into a corner or bend as the extra weight changes the handling capabilities, which in turn requires understanding and skill development.
Weight-associated accidents usually happen when mounting or dismounting e-bikes, especially amongst older or less experienced riders, so take care and take time to practice in a safe environment.

Learn how to operate the bike.
Familiarise yourself with the controls and features of your e-bike, including the motor and battery, before you ride it. Read the manual carefully, or if renting the bike, get instructions from the shop staff. Having the bike properly fitted is also essential for your comfort, safety and to avoid injury.
Take a test ride in a safe area to get comfortable with the bike's operation. Start somewhere with a bit of space and have a go at adjusting the power settings, testing how the bike responds when stopping, starting, and turning, balancing, and negotiating obstacles with different levels of power assist. Think about taking your first ride on an easy trail before progressing to more challenging trails.
Using the pedal-assist mode.
Most e-bikes have a pedal-assist mode that provides electric assistance while pedalling. You can adjust the level of assistance to match your riding needs and fitness level. The harder you pedal, the bigger the boost, the faster you’ll ride…to a point.
E-bikes let you ride along at a good speed, but they aren’t motorcycles. In NSW, the motor is governed to stop propelling you further when you reach 25km/hr, and it must also cut off when the rider stops pedalling and the speed is more than 6 km/hr.
You can also control how much assist you get. Most e-bikes come with a power switch that lets you adjust the boost setting from ‘eco’ (low) to ‘turbo’ (high), for when you want a little more power to help you up a steep hill, for example. But bear in mind that riding on turbo-mode will rapidly drain your battery, versus the economy setting which helps conserve power.
You can also still ride without the power turned on. It then becomes a much heavier conventional bike.
Monitor the battery level.
Keep an eye on the battery level and plan your ride accordingly. Don't run the battery too low, as this can damage the battery and reduce its lifespan. Charge the battery before each ride to ensure it has enough power.
There is also a strange new phenomenon called ‘range anxiety’. This is where riders start to fret over the battery life on a ride.
If you plan well, it shouldn’t be a worry, and if necessary, you can pedal without power. Don’t panic, stay calm and just pedal.
Use the gears.
Most e-bikes have gears that you can use to adjust your pedalling effort and speed. Shift to a lower gear when going uphill or into headwinds and shift to a higher gear when going downhill or with tailwinds. This will help you maintain a comfortable and efficient pedalling cadence. When starting off at an intersection or up-hill, use a low gear. You need to start pedalling before assistance kicks in, so be prepared for the surge in power and acceleration.
Brake carefully.
E-bikes are heavier and faster than traditional bicycles, so it's important to anticipate and brake carefully & gradually. Be aware that stopping distances might be longer than with a conventional bike. Use both brakes at the same time and avoid sudden stops, especially when going downhill. Slow down well ahead of stop signs, hazards and road crossings, and far earlier than you would on a slower-moving, lighter bike.
Get to know your brakes and their relative power, so you can better assess the safest time to start slowing down.
Stay balanced.
Maintain a proper riding posture and keep your weight balanced over the bike's centre. This will help you maintain control and stability while riding.
Corners.
Because you’re likely to be going faster with the aid of the motor, you’ll need to learn how to handle corners differently to a standard bike and inexperienced riders can easily find themselves out of control by accelerating too fast in and out of corners. This is especially likely on trails where there are tight corners and switchbacks.
Avoid overloading the bike.
If you’re on a multi-day trip or bike-packing, don't overload the bike with too much weight or cargo, as this can affect its handling and stability. Be aware that wearing backpacks can change your centre of gravity when mounting, dismounting, and riding in general.
The faster you go, the bigger the mess.
There is the potential that less experienced riders are now travelling faster on their e-bikes, meaning there is a higher risk of an incident…. And as the famous driving safety advert said - the faster you go, the bigger the mess.
Slow down, ride to the conditions and your ability, and respect other trail users.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings while riding. Look out for traffic, pedestrians, and obstacles, and signal your intentions to other trail users. Shared trails are for bike riders, walkers and sometimes horse riders. Your pace should be slower and more relaxed on shared paths, and they’re not the place for racing time trials! Put your e-bike on a low power setting and go slow enough that walkers feel comfortable when you pass. When you’re passing other trail users, you should ring a bell or call out a friendly, “on your right” so as not to surprise them.
Keep a safe following distance.
Leave ample space between your e-bike and other vehicles or cyclists in front of you. E-bikes can reach higher speeds, so maintain a safe following distance to allow for sufficient braking and reaction time.
E-Bike training.
There is a learning curve to riding a bike. You start out slowly and learn the rules of the road or trail as you go. You eventually learn habits such as keeping your eyes up on the trail or road, which lets you constantly scan for obstacles that may impede your way and improve your reaction times.
As you ride more, you also learn how to handle different situations; what to do when a car or fellow cyclist cuts you off, and how to safely avoid hazards like loose surfaces or potholes.
Over time, you tend to get faster, as do your reactions and instincts for handling such situations.
But there’s a problem..............
By putting an inexperienced rider onto a motor-powered e-bike, we’re ‘leapfrogging’ that learning curve. These issues may be compounded when others (motorists or trail users) are not expecting a bike to be travelling at such high speeds.
On top of these safety concerns, there is also an understanding of trail etiquette that’s lost. Amongst good cyclists, there are ‘rules’ to follow on both the road and the trail.
This knowledge and understanding is essential, but often ignored because: “It’s just like riding a bike, isn’t it?”
Let’s face it; you can’t drive a car without learning skills and passing a test, but some people are prepared to risk riding a heavy, wobbly e-bike on a narrow, steep, gravel trail without taking time to develop any new skills.
Take your time to learn the handling capabilities, limits, advantages and disadvantages of your new big e-bike.
Be EDAPTABLE, have fun, stay safe and enjoy your big ‘E’ rides.