Considering an e-bike? What you need to know.
May 23, 2024
Electric bikes have taken the world by storm. and revolutionized the way we commute. They offer an efficient, convenient, eco-friendly, and enjoyable way to get around. Not only are they fun, and easy to ride, they can give you the confidence to go on longer rides than you may not have attempted otherwise.
What is an e-bike?
Simply put, an e-bike, short for electronic bike is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides motorized assistance while pedaling. Unlike traditional bicycles, e-bikes have a battery-powered motor that amplifies your pedaling power, making those dreaded uphill climbs and long distances a breeze.
Should I Buy an Electric Bike?
Whether you’ve been considering upgrading your standard bike to an electric bike or buying a second bike here are some things you should know and consider.
Commuting made easy: Electric bikes offer a great alternative to traditional commuting methods. Especially if you live in an area that has clearly marked bike lanes, an e-bike could be the perfect fit for your ride to work during drier and warmer months.
E-bikes are easy to ride. Riding an electric bike is even easier than riding a conventional bicycle. Some, have no gears or speed controls. Just turn on the bike and start riding: the bike will automatically determine the level of assistance to apply based on the force applied to the pedals. Other e-bikes offer a choice of power settings that you can adjust while riding. This is usually through a control that you can easily reach with your thumb without releasing the handlebars.
Health and fitness: E-bikes can’t be ridden without turning the pedals (also known as pedelecs) so physical effort is still required. With e-bikes, you can enjoy the health benefits of cycling while having the option to rely on the motor when you need it most.
Environmentally friendly: Clean and green transportation. E-bikes are a great way to lessen our negative impact on the environment as they produce zero emissions. E-bikes require significantly less energy to manufacture than automobiles. Additionally, they take up less space on roads and in parking lots. They can help you save money on gas as you reduce your carbon footprint.
Maintenance: As with any bike, it’s important to clean down your e-bike once you’ve finished having fun, paying particular attention to the electrical components. You should not use a pressure washer to clean your e-bike; Most can handle a bit of rain and wet splashes, however, they are not typically designed or rated for high-pressure jets. Check your bike’s manual for specific cleaning and servicing recommendations.
How to choose the right e-bike
Here are a few factors to consider:
Purpose: To narrow down your search first determine the primary use of your e-bike. Most e-bikes are built for city riding, but if you enjoy hitting the trails and getting muddy, then there are options for that style of riding, too. Are you looking for a daily commuting bike, a recreational bike for your weekend adventures, or a mountain bike for off-road trails? There are e-bikes for all terrains.
Range and battery: Most e-bikes range between 40 and 80 miles on a single charge. Consider your typical commuting distance or the distance you intend to cover during leisure rides. Check the range offered by the e-bike’s battery, which indicates how far you can travel on a single charge. Keep in mind that the real-world results will vary depending on the type of terrain you’re riding on, how many hills you’re tackling, the level of assistance you’re using, and how much weight the bike is carrying in terms of rider and cargo. Opt for a battery that suits your needs. You can conserve power by only using the motor when faced with a tough climb, easing off on flatter sections. If the battery is removable, you could buy a secondary power pack and simply swap over when the first battery starts to run low.
Power: The power of the e-bike’s motor affects its performance. Higher-powered motors provide better assistance, especially when tackling hills or carrying heavy loads. Assess your requirements and choose accordingly.
Quality: Although it’s possible to pick up a much cheaper off-brand e-bike online opting for a more expensive model from an established manufacturer has several benefits. First, you’ll likely be protected by a warranty, and possibly benefit from other perks such as discounted insurance and safety accessories like a helmet.
Another pitfall of a cheaper e-bike could be the use of poor-quality parts, which can be dangerous. For example, it can be hazardous due to the increased speeds and forces involved for an e-bike to have caliper brakes and not use disc brakes.
If you buy locally you can also be more confident that it will meet the safety standards of the state that you live in. For example in Washington, the electric motor may not have a power output of more than 750 watts.
Do electric bikes need to be insured?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not cut and dry. It depends on your location and local regulations, how your bike is classified (due to speed), the value of your bike, and how you plan to use it.
E-bikes are expensive which makes them an appealing target for criminals. More specifically the battery which is the expensive heart of the e-bike is targeted for theft because it is usually much easier to steal than the entire e-bike.
Most homeowners insurance policies have specific coverage exclusions for motorized land conveyances. Those exclusions are for both your liability and the property itself and can vary based on the usage, classification, and speed the motorized bike is capable of. So please do not assume your home insurance will cover it because it likely will not. Give us a call, and we can check your home policy wording for coverage.
If you are interested in electronic bicycle insurance, then we recommend that you compare offers & pay particular attention to the following points:
- Are the theft of batteries and other components included?
- How much does it cost?
- How do other customers rate the support of the insurance carrier?
We believe for most high-value e-bikes and their components, a good dedicated e-bike insurance policy is important. However, insurance does not replace using good theft prevention tactics.
Theft Prevention
E-bike
- Use a quality bike lock when not at home. Making it more difficult to steal is a great deterrent.
- Etch your name and address into the bike frame / use a GPS tracker. The former will make thieves far less inclined to risk stealing it; the latter will make reuniting with your lost bicycle far easier.
- Install a bike ground anchor in your home garage or shed. A ground anchor is a secure point embedded into either a wall or the ground that you can lock your bike to.
- Set an alarm. Ground anchors can be paired with garage alarms, which can be connected to your home alarm system – another ideal way of keeping thieves away.
Battery
- Hide the Battery: For example, some resourceful e-bike owners remove the battery and hide it in an old, unsightly bicycle bag. This way it looks like the owner has taken the battery with him. This method costs no money and may work.
- Use Battery Bike Locks: Many frame batteries of modern e-bikes are secured with a lock. This usually consists of a lock cylinder and a pair of keys. Both can be easily purchased and are not expensive. Unfortunately, this combination although a theft deterrent is not really effective. While many conventional bike locks can be picked in no time at all, a well-aimed kick is often enough to remove the battery locks.
- Battery Safe: Purchase a battery safe and attach it to the e-bike. Depending on the safe and the mounting, this type of theft protection can be very effective. However, a battery safe is expensive, and there is still no guarantee that the thief will not just remove the safe.
- Take the Battery With You in a Battery Bag: The safest way to protect an e-bike battery from theft is to remove your bike battery when you park your bike and take it with you. A battery bag/case will also protect against battery accidents.
Happy riding!
Statewide E-Bike Laws in Washington:
Washington State defines three classes of e-bikes:
- Class 1 e-bikes are equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that assistance stops when the bike reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Class 2 e-bikes are equipped with a motor that can be used to propel the bike even without pedaling, but that stops assisting when the bike reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Class 3 e-bikes are equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that assistance stops when the bike reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.
All three classes of e-bikes are allowed on bike paths, multi-use paths, and certain trails in Washington state unless explicitly prohibited by local laws or regulations. However, riders must still follow all traffic laws, such as stopping at stop signs and red lights and yielding to pedestrians.