WARNING:
Do not ride the bicycle until the brakes are properly adjusted. Seek professional help if necessary. Riding
the bicycle without the brakes working accordingly, could potentially result in serious injury or death.
Quick Release Mechanisms
: Make sure the front wheel, rear wheel and seat post quick release mechanisms
are properly adjusted and in the locked positions before setting off.
Handlebar and saddle alignment
: Make sure the saddle and handlebar stem are parallel to the bike’s centre
line and clamped tight enough so that you can’t twist them out of alignment (See Section Three for further
advice), if not set correctly, re-align and tighten them accordingly.
Handlebar ends
: Make sure the handlebar grips are secure and in a good condition. If not, replace them.
Make sure the handlebar ends and extensions are plugged in. If not, plug them before you ride. If the
handlebars have bar end extensions, make sure they’re clamped tight enough so you can’t twist them. If not,
tighten them accordingly.
WARNING:
Loose or damaged handlebar grips or extensions can cause you to lose control and fall. Unplugged
handlebars or extensions could potentially cut your body, causing serious injury or death.
First Ride:
When you buckle on your helmet and go for the first ride on your new electric bicycle, be sure to pick a
controlled environment away from cars, other cyclists, obstacles, or any other potential hazards. It is
important that your initial ride is used to familiarise yourself with the controls, features and performance of
your new electric bicycle.
Familiarise yourself with the braking action of the bicycle (see ‘Section Five’ for further info). Test the brakes
at slow speed, putting your weight toward the rear and gently applying the brakes. Good practice is to start
by applying the rear brake first, then the front brake not too long afterwards.
WARNING
: Sudden or excessive application of the front brake could pitch you over the handlebars. Applying brakes
too hard can lock up a wheel, which could cause you to lose control and fall.
If your bicycle has toeclips or clipless pedals, practice getting in and out of the pedals.
If your bike has suspension, familiarise yourself with how the suspension responds to braking application
and rider weight shifts.
Practice shifting the gears.
WARNING:
Never action the shifter if you’re pedalling backwards (accidentally), nor should you pedal backwards
after having actioned the shifter. This could jam the chain and cause serious damage to the bicycle and may cause
you to lose control and fall.
Check out the handling and responsiveness of the bicycle; and check for comfort whilst riding the bicycle.
Have you set the riding height correctly?
SECTION TWO:
SAFETY
Basics:
1. Always do the Mechanical Safety Check (see ‘Section One’ for info) before you get on the bicycle.
2. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls of your bicycle: brakes, pedals, shifting, electrical control panel etc.
3. Be careful to keep body parts and other objects away from the sharp teeth of the front chainring or rear
cassette, the moving chain, turning pedals and cranks, or the spinning wheels of your electric bicycle.
4. Always wear shoes that will stay on your feet and will grip the pedals. Never ride barefoot or while wearing
open shoes, for example; sandals.
5. Always wear bright visible clothing, which isn’t loose so that it could potentially become tangled in the
bicycle, or potentially snagging objects at the side of the road or trail whilst riding.