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Electric Bikes
Riding an electric bike
components, however, you should avoid
riding in wet weather if possible.
To avoid risk of electric shock and prop-
erty damage, never submerge any of the
bike’s electrical components in a liquid.
Electric bikes are faster and heavier
than normal bikes. When riding in wet
weather, you should use extra caution.
You are more likely to fall from a wet road
surface when traveling at high speed.
Heavy electric bikes also take longer to
slow down, and the required stopping
distance in wet weather is even greater;
be sure to leave ample room for stop-
ping, and brake gently and evenly to
avoid falling.
Riding an off-road electric
bicycle
See “Off-road safety” on page 10.
Riding a high-speed electric
bicycle
High-speed electric bikes are capable
of easily traveling over 20 miles per hour.
The same principles of operation, and the
same safety considerations, apply as with
other electric bicycles. However, even more
caution must be taken because the higher
speed of travel makes accidents more likely.
Only ride at a speed at which you’re
comfortable. Just because the bicycle
is capable of reaching high speed does
not mean you must ride it at high speed.
Make sure you consider how you are
perceived by other road users. Cars,
pedestrians and other cyclists will often
underestimate your speed, and make
decisions assuming you are traveling
slower than you are. Be especially vigi-
lant around driveways and intersections,
or anywhere with cross traffi c.
Use extra caution when overtaking other
cyclists or pedestrians; the greater dif-
ference in speed increases the risk and
severity of a crash.
Local laws may prohibit the use of high-
speed electric bicycles on bike paths
or trails. Be sure you are familiar with
the laws in your area. Even if legal, it
is usually not safe to ride at high speed
on paths or trails around other users.
Always wear a helmet, bright-colored
clothing, and suitable glasses while rid-
ing at high speeds.
Do not tow a trailer using a high-speed
electric bicycle. Higher speeds can
cause instability and lead to a crash.
Riding a center-drive bike
Operation
Since a center drive (like the Bosch or
TransX system) outputs power through the
bike’s normal drivetrain, the rider needs to
be more active in controlling motor output
than on a bike with a hub motor. This is
done by shifting the bicycle’s gears.
Say a rider on a bike with a hub motor
twists the throttle to 100%. The motor in
response spins the bike’s wheel to 100%
of its maximum speed, and the bike travels,
say, 20 miles per hour.
