Electric bikes are great for transportation because they’re environmentally friendly, affordable, and easy to use. They also have many other benefits, which is why they’re becoming more and more popular every day. One of the great things about electric bikes is that they are easy for anyone to learn. This article will show you how easy it is to ride an electric bike.
Basics of Riding an Electric Bike
Let’s start with the basics. These are some of the things anyone who has never ridden before should know when they take their first spin on an e-bike.
Getting Started
Getting started can be done in two ways – pedaling or using a throttle. If you want to get moving quickly, press down on the throttle and go! If you want to conserve battery life for longer rides, pedal away until you get any speed that you like.
You can also switch between pedal modes and choose your desired level of assistance while riding.
Pedal Assist
The level of pedal-assist will change depending on what you choose. This is where things can get a little complicated. You have to make sure that you go through the different levels and pick one that works for you.
Your battery life could drop quickly if you don’t, which means more time pedaling. Pedal modes are great if you want to control how much help your electric bike gives you while riding.
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Torque Sensing Modes
For many riders, a torque-sensing mode will be necessary to ride safely and efficiently. Torque-sensing electric bikes will sense when an individual leg pushes down harder than the other and adjust power levels accordingly. Each leg has a different power source, so this feature allows for maximum torque delivery.
Smooth Riding
Some riders might find that they start to experience muscle fatigue when they first get on their electric bike. Unfortunately, this isn’t an easy fix – many e-bikes don’t come with highly comfortable seats and handlebars.
If you ride for too long without proper support, your legs and back will feel the burn! Luckily, there are ways you can make sure that your electric bike rides smoothly and comfortably.
For example, you can add padded grips to the handles or even upgrade the seat if it’s uncomfortable enough!
Range Extender
If you find yourself needing more distance than what your battery has to offer (and we all know how much that can suck), you should try using a range extender.
A range extender is a unique device that will help you get the most out of your battery life when you need it most.
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How Easy Are Electric Bikes to Ride?
Electric bikes are easy to ride because they have a lot of great features that make them comfortable, smooth, and enjoyable. Some of these features include:
- Pedal Assist: This feature allows riders to choose how much assistance they get while riding. If you want a smooth ride and low battery usage, you can pick the lowest pedal assist mode possible!
- Torque Sensing Modes: Torque sensing modes allow maximum torque delivery while also allowing riders to control how much assistance their electric bike gives them. You can switch between pedal modes depending on what level of assistance you need.
- Range Extender: Range extenders allow riders to go farther than their battery provides without having to worry about being stuck with a dead battery halfway through their trip. These are great for when your chosen mode just isn’t getting the job done or if you need a more extended trip for whatever reason.
These features make electric bikes easy to ride because you can control how much of a workout you get while also choosing your level of comfort.
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Best Places to Learn to Ride an Electric Bike
There are several great places where you can learn to ride an electric bike that will help you get started as fast as possible.
Public Park
Head out to a local park if you want to learn how to ride in a safe, low-pressure environment. There are no cars or traffic lights around – just grass and trees!
You’ll be able to get the hang of moving your e-bike with little difficulty because it will be easy to stop when you need to and you won’t feel pressured to get it right on the first try.
Open Field
If you want to take your electric bike on the open road in the United States of America, head to a field where there are no cars around. This way, you can practice riding at different speeds without worrying about traffic.
It’s also wonderful because it’s not hard to do if you feel like speeding up or slowing down. You can find fields near any significant road (and even some more minor roads) for this purpose.
Empty Parking Lot
Lots of cities in the United States have empty parking lots. Empty parking lots are great because you can work on your turning and braking skills without worrying about traffic.
It is also a safe location for beginners because it’s easy to stop yourself without hitting another car or person if you happen to slip the pedal.
Some of the best parking lots for learning to ride an electric bike include:
- An empty Walmart parking lot
- City Center Parking Lots (there are tons all around cities)
- Convenience store parking lots (like 7-Eleven or Circle K)
- Church parking lots during the week
Be sure to stay clear of people while you’re riding in a parking lot, though! People could get injured if they get hit by your e-bike while you’re learning. You should also avoid areas where there are likely to be other vehicles because this might cause an accident.
It is not the safest practice, so only choose locations where it will be easy for you to focus on yourself and your electric bike without worrying about anybody else.
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Basic Maneuvers for Getting Started
Learning how to ride an electric bike isn’t difficult – it just takes some basic time and effort on your end. You might want to take some time to accomplish some of the following goals before you begin riding:
- Practice turning in an open field until you feel confident in your skills. You can do this by going at a low speed and then speeding up as you become more comfortable.
- Practice stopping in a field until you’re able to stop without any problems. Remember that electric bikes brake just like regular bikes, so you don’t have to worry about anything different from normal bicycling.
- Try using the highest pedal assist mode first if you want an easy ride with little effort on your end. Getting used to your e-bike is essential, especially if you want it to feel “normal” for you. Try going between three and five miles per hour – this won’t be too challenging for beginners but will also help them get the hang of how their bike works a little better.
- Figure out how to decelerate. Electric bikes brake differently than regular bicycles, so try to figure out how to decelerate before you start riding. You will likely go faster on your e-bike than your average bicycle, but the braking system is different. You can pedal backward with your regular bike to brake, but you have to use the handbrake or pull up a lever on your handlebars with an electric bike.
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Riding an Electric Bike for the First Time: Safety First
After working on the above goals, you should be ready to ride your electric bike. Always keep safety in mind when riding a bicycle or a powered two-wheeler.
Even if you’re an experienced rider, it can be easy for accidents to happen when you’re riding around on an e-bike – especially because they might move faster than regular bikes and have more power behind them. You should also take some time to get used to the area you will be riding before leaving.
By doing so, you become familiar with the space and know the best ways to avoid any potential hazards (such as potholes, rocks, trees, or water that could cause problems for your electric bike).
Some equipment you should have to ride your e-bike includes:
- Helmet
- Lights
- A bell or horn that can be used to signal when you are stopping or need help
- Protective eyewear in the case of getting something in your eyes
Glasses aren’t enough to protect yourself – proper eye protection is crucial for riding an electric bike. The glasses should also meet specific standards so that they will protect your eyes from debris, rain, or any other kind of liquid that could potentially get into your eyes while you’re on your electric bicycle.
You might want to consider purchasing some clear glasses that look like sunglasses but offer more protection than regular glasses would.
If you wear contact lenses, consider wearing goggles instead because it would be challenging to see clearly with contacts on if something gets in your eye.
Related electric bike articles:
- How to Convert a Mountain Bike to Electric Bike
- How to Transport an Electric Bike
- Can I Get an Electric Bike on the Cycle to Work Scheme?
- How To Lock An Electric Bike
- Can I Overcharge An E-Bike Battery?
Conclusion
When you learn how to ride an electric bike (and all of the safety standards that go along with it), you will find that this isn’t as difficult as it might seem. It is a wonderful option for those who want to exercise and have the opportunity to ride around town instead of using their car.
Suppose you can accomplish all of the primary goals before navigating through traffic. In that case, you should feel confident in your skills and move on to more complex maneuvers – or enjoy riding around at different speeds with ease.
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.