An electric bicycle is nothing more than a bicycle with a one horsepower motor, a battery pack, and a controller. An electric bike, also known as an E Bike, has a max coasting speed of 20 mph when not being peddled. A typical electric bicycle weighs under 100 pounds. No insurance or registration is required (unlike with an electric scooter) and in some states bike riders don’t even need a helmet when out on the public roadways.
Transportation by an electric bicycle is the preferred method for many individuals in large cities due to the ease of reaching intended destinations. Bicycles can weave through dense traffic or down sidewalks and bicycle areas. They can be used for commutes to and from work or for leisurely activities. Storage is simple. Bicyclists can wear a backpack, a saddle bag, or place some other form of storage onto the rear carrier area. Although electric bicycles don’t come with alarm systems, both young and old can appreciate the benefits of having an active lifestyle.
Can it be Ridden in the Rain?
Most people are aware the electric bicycle can be ridden during warm sunny weather, the E Bike can be specially configured as a Mountain E Bike and taken off of busy city streets. When out in the wilderness there’s no telling what the weather will do and while it is true that the bike is electric, that doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be ridden in most weather conditions simply due to the fact that it’s electric – save for some icy snowstorms which even regular bikes can’t handle. Electric bicycles can actually have the battery pack removed (most commonly done for charging) and used as a regular bike. The only difference is that the bicycle has to be pedaled manually the entire duration of the trip. So if dark clouds roll in overhead and rain is pending, simply remove the battery and store it in a little carrier if desired and peddle through the rain manually until the intended destination has been reached.
Protecting Your E-Bike
As with any bike, storing it outside all of the time will eventually ruin it. However, the occasional trip through the rain shouldn’t do any damage to an E Bike, however there would be more imminent danger to the rider on wet city streets. Cars and trucks always have the potential of sliding in wet weather. The only real possibility of damage that an electric bicycle might receive in rainy weather is to the LCD and twist throttle. The buttons could become compromised if exposed to water. To combat the potential for damage just put a ziplock bag over the display when it starts to rain.
If an E Bike must be ridden in rainy weather, always cover the display and try to dry it off as much as possible once shelter has been reached. Also be sure to lube the chain every couple of months to keep it in good working order. Many companies offer replacement parts in the event an electric bicycle were to become damaged from water although this should never be a problem as long as normal maintenance is performed regularly.
