Coming late to the party but just subscribed. I'm 70 and recovering from cancer surgery so bought an ebike in September 2023. I sold my car and love riding here in Missoula Montana as the town is very bike friendly with shared paths, specific bike trails and bike lanes. Your tips are very welcome. Thank you.
From a safety standpoint, I think one important piece of gear that was over looked is Bike Gloves. They can be half gloves with fingers out and palm pads. Especially for more aggressive riders. Anyone who has ever had to stop suddenly due to unforeseen reasons and goes over the handlebars will be glad they had some sort of protection on their hands since that is what tends to make contact first with the ground and that is usually asphalt. Helps with road rash.
I fell making a u-turn at just 3 or 4 mph fell scraped up my knee real bad but luckily I had gloves on or else my palms would’ve scraped up real bad too
The one time I've crashed recently, despite no real damage, my hands were the part that hurt the most. I didn't even realize that fingerless bike gloves would be for safety, I just thought they were for comfort. Seems so obvious now but it hadn't even crossed my mind, I guess because they're way different than safety gloves I'm used to. I wanted a pair mostly to not get the black from my old handlebar grips on my hands, and couldn't justify the money on gloves when the real solution is replacing my vintage handlebar grips lol. Now that I realize it's actually safety equipment, I'm definitely going to pick up a pair.
As an almost 60 year Motorcyclist there is a term motorcyclists use: ATGAT. All The Gear All the Time. Probably not needed at bicycle speeds (although with eBikes getting a lot faster...) but the two things I will always wear on an bike or motorcycle: a helmet and gloves. You can't amputate heads! And gloves: I would really like to have operable hands and fingers while lashed down in a hospital bed. The worst case examples of course, but I do like having usable fingers and hands. {!-{>
I think of a bell as a notification, i.e., "something is about to happen", whereas a horn is more of an alert, i.e., "something bad is about to happen if you don't respond to it immediately". So a bell is like "i'm planning to go around you" and a horn is "we're about to crash into each other".
I think it's nice to point out glass or sharp stuff in the roadway when you know there's another bike not far behind you. Wave a pointed finger or waggle your hand in the direction of the bad stuff on the road. Maybe say glass.
How do you all feel about bike lanes being next to car lanes? I feel they should be closer to the sidewalk and have a 3 ft gap in between the car lane. I feel like a sitting duck when I ride in a bike lane.
a nice lane is good, but a strip on the road a couple feet away from the curb is awful. cars will ride right along that line instead of giving you a wide berth like they do when there isn't a lane at all.
They don’t even necessarily need to be along the road. I’m the Netherlands they design bike lanes entirely independently of the roads. Sometimes they’re next to roads often they are not and can be a faster route than by car.
They just laid down a nice stretch of bicycle lanes, near my house. The cars put their right tires in the bike lane as if that's what they are for. If going against the traffic, they stare at you until they're coming at you then they wake up. It's a weird world...
I live in honolulu hawaii. I only ride on protected bike lanes(there are only 2 on the island). I dont even know where the unprotected bike lanes are here.
Make sure you have at least 1 mirror so you know what’s coming. Flashing lights front and back. Plan your route for safety, maybe even check it out in a car first. Go a longer way if it doesn’t have as much traffic. Move over when overtaken. Understand what roads to avoid at all costs.
@@miata1370 I wear gloves because they PREVENT accidents. Riding hard on a hot day with bare, sweaty hand, you can lose your grip on the handlebars...which is disastrous!
A mirror is a decent idea for safety - maybe it's not the same for everyone, but I'm not someone who has great balance, and I always have a little trouble going in a straight line if I'm not looking ahead, so looking behind me often makes me pretty nervous. A mirror can help a lot with that. If a big mirror looks too dorky, there's Corky mirrors you can put on the end of your handlebars, which is basically a tiny fold-out wide-angle mirror. I sometimes wish I had a slightly larger mirror to see a little bit better, but it's a lot better than nothing: even on a tiny mirror, cars are very easy to see, and bikes and pedestrians are easy to see if they're close, so in the end I feel pretty safe, and can still look behind me if I don't trust the mirror. I'm sure many seasoned riders are just fine without a mirror; personally I ride pretty often but never felt 100% confident about looking back, so a mirror was a reasonable purchase.
Man, as a retired bike coach I loved this! Your deadpan Woody Allen-style delivery is a welcome change from the over-the-top perkiness of other influencers! 😅
Another great video Chris. I appreciate your sense of humor. One thing I would mention, this fits in the etiquette area, if you are riding on a path and you need to stop, it would be nice if you stop as far right as possible and even get off of the trail if possible. I frequently see someone blocking a path without thinking.
The best advice: > Also, whether on a e-bike or a mechanical bike, learn and use hand signals. Any electrical turn signals on a bicycle *especially during the day* are less noticeable on a bicycle than on a car. We tend to notice the person on the bicycle first.
A great point. I don't bother in broad daylight but I use indicator lights at night or in dull weather along with good mirrors on either side. BUT... I still always look behind to make sure that the vehicle behind make's eye contact and I also use full clear hand and arm signals. Whatever is coming up right behind me when I'm about to make a turn or change my position on the road can weigh anything from one ton to over forty tonnes and if there's any misunderstanding about what I'm going to do or they're not paying attention then we all know who's going to come out of it worse!
I bought one of them new fangled belted, mid drive, automatiq shifting bikes. Added suspension post and fat butt seat. Now its a perfect old guys bike.
Additional point: keep your brakes top notch. E-bikes are faster, heavier and climb more easily than normal bikes. Especially in hilly places, remember to check brake pads often, keep a spare set ready, clean with disc brake cleaners and learn how to bed the pads in.
@@bgate1984 I got a Aventon Commuter Level 2021 in June. And its been great! My odometer is at 1024 miles. But I didnt break?bend in my breaks right. So I have to break real slow and gradually to avoid a harsh sound. If i get the brake pads and disc brakes replaced and I follow the manual on bending them in do you think it will improve? First time rider here! So don't know much but have put the miles in. I have gained the nickname "BikeHawk" here by Lake Michigan. I shine my headlights at prowlers and stoners and honk at em. Bahhaha. I'm only half joking. But I do encourage every rider to choose a nickname. Lets start an E-Bike gang! Except a gang that like helps people. lol.
Prime item for safety: get & use a mirror, on left side at least. You might think you're the leader of the pack, then surprise- what's that blowing by? IOW, the head-on-a swivel thing.
On tyre pressure, this has been a good quality of life discovery. I run 47mm tyres on a 29'... I was surprised at the comfort/grip by going down around 1.5 Bar.
I have read reviews by cyclists saying that nobody reacted to a horn or devises that make electronic sounds. Generally, pedestrians recognize a bell being the sound of a cyclist rather than a horn or other electronic sounds. Great video ..... Thanks!
I ride a Brompton and they have small low volume high pressure tires. I check them once a month. When it comes to lights I like to have lights on my helmet. One because you can point the lights into the face of drivers who seem not to have noticed you but the height seems so much more visable. Having high lights is really good for pedestrians who turn to cross the road and only glance before stepping off the path. High level lights can also been seen better when a car is comming out of a junction and the lights can be seen over parked cars at the side of the road. I am in England and we have much tighter roads than you guys have in the States. I did have an electric bike but I put on too much weight so I got the folding Brompton which is also a great bike.
I would strongly recommend filling your tyres, especially the rear one with tube sealant as fixing a flat on an electric bike can be a real slow and heavy task!
Awesome advice. I'd add that a reflective leg strap is a good way to keep your pant leg out of the chain in winter (rather than rolling up the pants). It has the added benefit of being another reflector.
Absolutely! I was commuting to work, and got all the bike grease on my work clothing. So a simple little strap can save from having to throw out the pants or look like a mess when you get to the office.
I would add a handlebar mounted or helmet mounted rear view mirror for added safety. I use the helmet mounted type as it doesn’t require me having to completely direct my vision away from the foreword obstacles to simply glance to my rear.
Nice and friendly video for the newbies. Didn't make me feel silly for not knowing stuff. Can you please do a video in how to fix a puncture when away from home? And what kit we'll need to do so?
Thank you for making this video. Tips like these are often under spoken and seeing videos like these are refreshing, especially as most of the “cycling tips” videos are generally around the road racer category, and sometimes they don’t often talk about urban utility riding. So nice to see videos from Propel, as you’re channel is often one which is my favourite because of how in depth and well designed the outline of topics the videos often discuss.
Thank you for this video. I’m a very inexperienced bike rider in my sixties. We recently bought ebikes for when we’re travelling in our van. We mostly ride on bike tracks only because I’m not confident for on road. I do find that some of the “real” cyclists to be impatient and some are quite rude. I have certainly learned quite a bit from your video.
@@seanmcglocklin8553 unlike those cyclists who ride next to each other blocking whole streets, we go one behind each other unless there is a long open stretch.
I use the horn from really far away if I know it's going to be a tight pass, to give them extra time to see me coming/prepare or if I am going around a really tight blind corner (mostly applies to multi use trails) I will give a quick beep before I pop around the corner
Great video, thank you. I'm a big fan of bike helmets mostly because in the contest between soft squishy humans and pavement, the pavement almost always wins and heads are extremely fragile when falling on pavement. For urban riding, I believe that it's only a matter of time before you fall off or are knocked off your bike, so be prepared for that possibility.
About the horn: I keep a horn on my left hand and a bell on my right hand. I usually bell to other bikers and pedestrians, but horn to cars and other vehicles.
Top notch content as always. I constantly have to remind my wife to keep shifting down and up as she rides. She often forgets and gets frustrated because the motor is not helping her optimally due to her not being at proper gear.
Apparently, my new e-bike has a function turned on that will tell me when I’m in the wrong gear. I haven’t managed to get it to turn on even when I’m trying, though.
I have both a horn and a bell and you're spot on. The horn is for cars, the bell is for everyone else. The point of the horn is to be loud enough for drivers inside of cars to hear (claimed 140dB) and it does that pretty well. That's painfully loud to be blasting a pedestrian with at close range.
The throttle on my e-bike was the best decision I made with it. Makes it more of a joy to ride in those moments you can't keep pedalling or when you need a boost to get started from a standstill on and incline.
On shifting gears: I've had a traditional bike for many, many years. I changed gears obsessively. I got my first e-bike about 20 months ago and it took me about 4 months to realize there was no need to shift gears so much as it is easier to change the assist level. And to my mind, changing gears less often creates less wear and stress on the de-railing and drive chain systems.
Curiously I assumed that riding in the wrong gear would be a good way to use up the battery but I think you have a good point here. How many gears do you have?
@@sgordon8123 I have 9 gears and four power modes (ECO, TOUR, SPORT and TURBO). I ride in the highest gear and if I need assistance, I will cycle up through the four modes as needed. When I reach TURBO and I need more assistance, I start downshifting accordingly. It seems to me that shifting gears before increasing power modes would give you more time and distance between charges. But (at least for me and I suspect for most non-extreme riders), time between charges is not something that's important. Hope this answers your question. Cheers.
I would like to thank you guys. You are some of my best customers for chains, freewheels and cassettes. The notion that that shifting contributes to the wear of anything other than your derailleur cables is deeply mistaken. 99.99% of your chain's life is spent driving, not shifting, and that's where 99.99% of the wear comes from. Mid-drive customers are the worst. No matter how many times and how patiently I explain to them that using those gears gives their motor and their legs all the benefits of gearing, I consistently see them wearing out the smallest one or two cogs in the back, and the stress on those small cogs is also the hardest on the chain. They also gripe the loudest about the expense. Hub drive riders are not as bad - with hub drives your drivetrain is only subject to the normal stresses that your human legs can put out, but even they tend to avoid using their lower gears and put disproportionate wear on the small cogs - just not to the same degree as the mid drive riders. With both drive systems, the more effectively you can help that motor get up to operating speed, the more of an impact you will have on your range. Accelerating from a stop is where that motor is pulling the most power, far more than the motor uses at cruising speed, and the more of a boost you can give to that motor to get up to operating speed with your legs, the more you will save on your range. But hey, keep doing what you do, because I will be more than happy to put your bike up on my work stand. I'll even give you a 50 cent cup of coffee as you wait while I take another big bite out of one of your benjamins..
@@47f0 That's why I finally started actually using the gears when I got an ebike (citybike). I usually set my normal bike in the highest gear that is comfortable, and forget it, but since I really love my mid-drive bike, I pay more attention to what the motor needs from me.
Only thing I have to say is about HORNs. Riding over 2800 miles this year, my bike has a bell, there have been plenty of times passing pedestrians on paths I wish I had a horn. Why you may ask. Simply because I find quite often people out walking, jogging, etc. are listening to music or whatever and don't hear “On your left” or a bell. With that said, if I can see that a person ISN'T listening to something, I believe voice is best as I find it “carries” better than a bell especially if it is windy.
You must try to find the course of least resistance. I stopped yelling “On your left,” as too many people misunderstood and moved to their left instead! This is on a 2-WAY PATH shared by walkers, rollers and bikers, with posted signs saying, “Pass on left!” Often times, I’ll ride around a corner and people walking in a group will block the entire lane, and not leave room for runners and riders to pass. That’s when I might use my air horn to get their attention! Otherwise , the horn is mostly for car traffic. I also use discretion when ringing my bell because sometimes people get startled and jump in front of me. There are times when it’s easier/ safer to just pass people at a REASONABLE SPEED, and just go on my way. Sure, I like to ride fast. That’s why I bought a Specialized Class 3 that goes up to 28 mph, but I always try to be SAFE and COURTEOUS when riding in public areas.
Typical problem experienced by motorcyclists. Your horn is a "cause other traffic to start behaving erratically" button. That's the last thing you want.
How old am I? Black and white TV and one-to-three gears on adult bikes. I rely entirely on my throttle to get me out of intersections fast and then settle down to 0, 1, or 2 assist. I never change gears; 2 is for uphill. 5 is for ONE time being very very late for work, and I had to concentrate on getting the bike to stay on the ground as much as possible. (I got there on time). I will probably not change my style but will appreciate and respect being clued in about how my bike feels about all this. Thanks.
Very informative video. The only thing I might add would be for those of us who keep a small water bottle on our bikes for our trip, stop your bike to drink from it and don't drink while your riding down your path...I've seen 2 separate accidents occur this way, one with another bike coming towards her and the other with a pedestrian hit. Just a safety issue. Thanks for a wonderful video here.
Another way to mitigate this distraction is to use a hydration backpack. You can have the hose strapped conveniently on your collar or shoulder pad. The only downside to this is the water gets warm from your body heat. I’ve heard of people using ice in them.
Safety/Etiquette -Mirrors on both sides of the handlebars and properly adjusted much like a car. -Bike alarm to go along with a good lock(s) - MIPS helmet for extra head protection. - Would like to see e bikes come standard with visible left/right hand turn signals. Otherwise hold your arm out way before you turn and keep it extended (if possible) until turn is completed. Sometimes it's challenging because everyone doesn't feel comfortable using one hand to steer. -Stay off sidewalk if possible -Try not to go through stop signs and traffic lights. We want cars to respect us on the roads. Show the same respect for pedestrians and vehicles.
It's not so much that I don't feel comfortable steering with one hand, but I'm often braking while turning (like on a roundabout), so the arm goes out until I need it.
Great analogy about when and why to shift gears. I struggle with that too but when you compared it to manual transmission on a car that worked for me. Shifting up and down based on speed (and hills).
Thx for the tips. Just got my Superdelite GX Rohloff. Good lord. What a beast. Heavy as a tank, powerful as a Porsche and comfy like a Rolls Royce. It has nothing to do with a traditional bike or even a common ebike. It’s a new genre.
So if I'm understanding this correctly, one should adjust their saddle height so their knees get very close to locking, but not actually lock? (I've always heard completely locking one's knees is bad, or at least it's bad to do that when you're standing normally.)
Looking forward to your etiquette video! I ride mostly in urban settings, and I find it's easier to be polite with pedestrians on my ebike, compared to a normal bike, as the cost of having to accelerate after breaking is now split between my body and my powerpack 🙂
Yeah, tend to stop more with e-bike than I used to on my normal bike. I think in the 3 years riding e-bike, I've used my bell ones on somebody walking: that was a intocicated guy, really in his own world walking wide on a bicycle road ;)
The thing that gets me is when people acted surprised or have a bad reaction like nobody else can possibly be on the path trying to pass you just expect it pay attention or get off the roads sidewalks and streets. Or at least don’t complain when someone shows up especially if they ride well away from you I mean if your 6ft plus or even off the path when you pass you really don’t even need to bell them if they go all the way off the path to get in your way at that point it’s intentional you know and then say that you cut them off like nope cutting off is cutting off not passing several feet in front of them more than a few so they are no place near you the entire time so that’s their problem then. I’m not going to sit behind someone I’m going faster than either they need to learn to expect to share the public or else they have no point in complaining and probably shouldent even be there if they might be a hazard. People are way too stupid and picky with that stuff it’s like get the hell over yourself and relax realize the reality that you shouldent care. I just ignore bs it’s annoying but at least it’s not constant and that just shows it’s not me.
Great video, thanks! One point on bells ... I find pedestrians hate bells ... They seem to consider that you are demanding they get out of the way. I say "ding ding" instead and that usually brings a laugh. However the exception is school children with their friends. They want to cause issues for amusement. I have discovered that looking as if you are not going to stop (while actually thinking about it in case) causes them to subconsciously move aside without a word. Almost as they would just naturally walk around a tree. Loads of people with headphones don't notice me at all though and I have stopped lots of times for these guys and then been walked into very slowly! Quite funny!!
A lot of good points. Patience as part of riding etiquette is a big one. Everyone, including myself, should keep that in mind I think. The city can be tough and conditions vary so wildly, so we all can become impatient and do dumb stuff sometimes. Thank you!
Some of the preliminary data on E-Bike accidents show a lot of similarities with Motorcycle accidents due to the increased speed over a pedal bike. I'd argue a pair of armoured gloves and shoes would be worth looking into to prevent wrist/ankle breaks (and potentially even a half-face motorcycle helmet)
I ❤️ my IGH. The profoundly absurd intersection at the bottom of my hill has me needing to yield to cross traffic that can't be bothered to signal. When I need to abruptly stop, the IGH means I can get up the hill. The chain guard on my GSD has been sufficient pants cuff protection. Having a pump strapped to my frame was quite handy this afternoon. When I got to the school pick up line, I walked Clementine back onto her haunches and gave the rear tire some air without having to remove the somewhat involved GSD panniers. (I did remove my drink from the cup holder. Learned that one the hard way.) I have a ridiculous neon pink 3/4 zip pull over windbreaker that I wear when biking. I don't think it will keep me from being run over, but I hope the grand jury will find it persuasive when deciding whether to indict.
I’d say the first rule about safety on a bike is paying attention to your surroundings, keeping your eyes open for any vehicles or other elements that might cross your trajectory, and then making sure they’re seeing you by establishing eye contact. As to visibility, one of the most important things to do is taking your position on the road. Of course, by night, or in poor visibility conditions, lights are mandatory!
I ride my eBike to my preferences of having battery last very long so I pedal a lot and notice the 7 gear Hubs you ride of shifting like a Clutch of various speed and terrain. Say I have 9 levels of PAS on 350watt, Im at PAS5 only on 5th gear GOING 21 MPH but I need to slow down so I go to PAS6( 6 TO 9 IS DOWNSHIFTING POWER,but you can go from 4 to 3 ect) with switching to 4th gear, then PAS7 3rd gear, PAS8 I start applying my disc brakes of the speed slow down I safely stop of 7 feet braking to full stop. It is really fun to learn this as it gets me more knowledgeable of how to use besides looking at specs. From there of re start I stay on 3rd to go on PAS1 than at 10mph I go 4th gear, at 15mph I go 5th gear( Ive yet to use 6 and 7 gear on PAS5 because Im new to ebikes) Shifting reduces the blunt power boost of exerting less power as speed picks up , besides that downshifting SEEMS THE MOST OVERLOOKED TIP, EVER. Downshifting controls handling of speed slow down to give safe space to use brakes without wearing them down.
Love your videos - a quick comment. I think bike sellers should offer a "recommended" new bike road kit (customized somewhat for each bike), that includes a patch kit, a spare tube, a lightweight road toolkit (a la CrankBrothers or Topeak), tire irons and a portable pump - all in a small saddle bag. Experienced riders will already have these, but new riders don't know what they need until they need it. Also, I have a couple bikes, and I prefer to have this set for each bike anyway. The key customizations are the toolkit (it needs to have the right tools for the specific bike), perhaps the pump (high/low pressure) and definitely the spare tube. This also saves the new buyer having to search to make sure they order the right size replacement tube - if you send them a spare as part of the kit, they don't have to try to decipher the markings on their rim to figure out which tube they need ;-)
Hubbed bikes have the severe disadvantage of being quite difficult to change inner tubes in case of a flat. While I can change an inner tube in under 2 minutes (or under 40 seconds with CO2 cannisters), on my IGH bike it's a 30-40 minute job if I work carefully with no mistakes with all my tools in my garage.
Tbh all this stuff could be said the same for all bikes minus a few things, but you seem pretty cool and send out the right message so you get a thumbs up:)
When I first started riding an e bike, I had issues getting used to the weight of the bike. I’m a smaller person, and it took me over a few times when I stopped on un level surfaces and leaned wrong.
Ok, this is how I do it. For riding ANY bike... Helmet. Hi-vis vest - mine's bright orange and can fold up into the palm of my hand. Mirrors on each side. Ding ding bell to politely let people know you're approaching. Electronic horn with a very loud and aggressive sound for whenever a car cut's you up and nearly kills you. Good lights for front and back and if you are out at night a lot, carry a spare for each just in case you run out or one gets lost or stolen. I've been there in the dark! Basic tools and pump. And perhaps tyre sealant and inflater for a quick fix if you don't want to spend half an hour fixing a puncture. A bike poncho is very good for keeping you dry even in very heavy rain without sweating too much. But on an ordinary bike facing a strong headwind it can be a hard pedal. Not an issue on an e-bike so I would say get one. Locks. Use more than one and at a minimum Sold Secure Gold and Diamond rated. They need to be only able to be cut with powered equipment. My chain and D locks for my ordinary hybrid bike weigh in at a combined 8kg. And that's still no guarantee. Cable locks aren't worth the cardboard they're packaged in. Trousers/pants band's to keep your clothing clear of the chain area. Or put on a chain guard. A backpack/shoulder bag/re removable pannier to carry your lights, tools, battery, whatever when you park up your bike. Don't leave anything on your bike that your not prepared to have stolen. Bar Mitts or other similar products for keeping your hands warm in winter. I've probably forgotten something obvious but that's my advice. Oh, and a trailer is fabulous for carrying all sorts of large or heavy cargo. And I find that car's actually give me a wider berth when I'm using mine which is a large sized dog trailer so it's actually pretty big. And indicator lights... I don't bother in broad daylight but I use indicator lights at night or in dull weather mostly in winter along with my good mirrors on either side. BUT... I still always look behind to make sure that the vehicle behind make's eye contact and I also use full clear hand and arm signals. Each reinforces the effectiveness of the other. Whatever is coming up right behind me when I'm about to make a turn or change my position on the road can weigh anything from one ton to over forty tonnes and if there's any misunderstanding about what I'm going to do or they're not paying attention then we all know who's going to come out of it worse!
Dude, great channel and I'm glad I found it tonight. I'm 52 and I rode my bikes since I was very young to the point I didn't even care to get my license until I was 20 because I didn't need it. But that aside, I dig your channel because I now have gotten back into biking at 52 and I bought a couple mid drives for the wife and I and we are going full force bike packing this year. I have a Raleigh M80 and she has an M60 from the 1996 year when we got married. Well, they make great ebikes now with new cassettes, brakes chains etc. and all the other gear. I also run a CNC business with the Mechanical engineering consultation. I'm thinking of a few ideas, but if you have any, feel free to contact me. Keep up the great vids. Real men wear helmets by the way...and before ebikes...I'd always say "on your left!" nicely, but take your time in life unless you're on a cannon ball run to cali...otherwise you won't save a second or two...
I got my first ebike on monday, its an older sondors x model, im not sure how old, but theres no lcd screen on the handle bars like all the other ones I see, im still having a hell of a time learning how to avoid sagging the bike and what ratio I should be using the throttle with pedaling, the thing seems to not have pedal assist without a the throttle being engaged, all of that aside, going from an 8 speed bike with narrow tires, Im really glad not having to struggle going up hill any longer.
Hi Chris. Thanks for another great video. I would really appreciate a more in depth video on shoes and clothing generally for longer rides on ebikes. I don't want to wear lycra like racing bikers do but I plan on taking some longer rides soon and am concerned what to wear for shoes and to prevent chaffing from prolonged riding. I would appreciate any information from your experience of maybe good brands to look out for. Thanks. Rob
I've learned if riding with someone to discuss how you try to stay safe on the road you talked about when passing somebody I always announce myself when I'm a fair distance behind them and passing them to tell them coming up behind you on your left and discussing with someone that's your riding with some of your practices if you don't have a bell or a horn and I agree with you your horn should be used at a certain distance with other riders because you can actually spook one Rider
All great tips that are basic yet very helpful and important. Many new riders are actually seniors that haven’t been on a bike for years. We could all use a refresher. Thanks for a great video on safe e-bike riding!
I would recommend adding a helmet mounted rear view mirror to check your “6”. It doesn’t require directing your gaze completely away from foreword obstacles as happens when using a handlebar mounted mirror.
Thanks from the UK for some really useful info! My first adult sized bike when I was 11 had no gears at all! I then fitted a Sturmey Archer 3 gear rear wheel which was great! Many years later I bought a 'Shockwave' full suspension mountain bike with 18 gear twist grips - that was great in summer but in the cold, wet winters I often couldn't grip the twist hard enough to change gear which always happened at the start of a hill (a lot of them in Devon). Today, at 63yrs I have a Shuangye folding, full suspension mountain e-bike, 21 gears via a trigger change with 5 levels of power assist - brilliant! (When I can remember which trigger goes up and which down!) Despite the usual stories of Chinese quality this one is beautifully built with quality gears and disk brakes front and back. I've used it with panniers and also a tow hitch and bike trailer for shopping trips. One word of advice though, if you come across a large piece of polystyrene lying on the cycle path and swerve to avoid it - remember there's a trailer on the back with its wheels sticking out - they don't like bouncing over obstacles!
Thanks for the comment Mate from across the pond on the Shuangye folding mountain bike's quality. I am going to look up a RUclips review to peruse. Be safe Plymouth 57, phil from America👍🍀🇺🇲
Saddle hight: while standing (no forward movement) your leg should be completely 'extented' to touch the ground (obviously only) on one side of the bike. This way while driving your legs will be only slightly bend in the lowest peddle position. Which is ideal. An other important issue (where many people make mistakes); coming to a stop; break until you come to a full stop (please make shure your brakes are awesome), only then AFTER the full stop put a foot on the ground. If you still have forward speed you might fall over or at least you make life harder for yourself. Drive safe! Just some Dutch input.
One of the most dangerous and stupid things I've done is get my shoe lace trapped in the chain ring. At high speeds it will most like snap, but at low speeds it's going to drag you off the bike. I know, I've done it.
And tie back pannier straps. Got one caught in my disk brake when making an emergency stop when a car pulled out. The result was quite a moment of unwanted adrenaline.
I just tested an HSD. I ought to have had the air pressure checked before testing - the tire came off the rim and tube exploded. Needless to say, I'll be checking out the HSD again... at a different shop, and only after ensuring there is enough air in the tire. A bit embarrassed I did not notice at the start of the ride.
great video, as are all your videos I've seen so far. I would add that keeping your line, as you mentioned, is very important, but in doing so, to always beware of riding next to parked cars. I would suggest to ride at a distance from parked cars in a way that if a door swings open that you don't get hit. Better to ride in a consistant line slightly in traffic, than to ride to close to parked cars where you might get doored.
It's a good idea to CHECK the tire pressure with a pressure gauge before every ride. If the gauge indicates the tires are under inflated air should be added.
Two points about clothing: 1: Since your going faster with less effort on a ebike on longer trips your are gonna get cold ( at least if you live at an other place than SoCal 😉 ) , so take a jacket or a sweater with you even if it seems warm. 2: Sandals are ok as long as you don't try to start in an uphill in the wrong gear! The force trying to start will twist your foot in the sandal and you will loose all power and balance and thereby fall into a ditch!
I would like someone to present a video specifically explaining the best riding practices while in traffic. Do I ride as far to the shoulder (right side in the US) and free up more lane for cars to go around me? Or, do I pick a place in the lane, forcing all cars to treat you as a vehicle in the "flow"? Obviously, this method requires higher speeds.
In some states (like Washington State) the first 18 inches of the roadway are considered for bike use. Getting drivers to acknowledge that is something else. Probably ignorance of the law more than anything else.
First thought: He is wearing a hoodie in July. It is 100 degrees where I'm at and it threw my for a loop. Second thought: Great vid - subbed. Good advice on all topics. Third thought: The short shots of bikes are some of the coolest looking ebikes I've seen. Love the variety!
I got a Rad bike and spokes get lose a lot. I have a throttle and use it regularly to take off then I go back to up-shifting but I don’t down shift so much either. Here in WA a bike can be a car or a bike. It’s a big advantage if you want to take the green light or the walk light at a intersection. They are not always in same configuration, I just learned this. Great info, now I have to go check my air pressure.
Bicycles, ebikes and escooters are great options for last mile, short distance travel. Cities need to do more to encourage people to ride bicycles by providing safe, protected bike lanes and trails. Every adult and child should own a bicycle and ride it regularly. Bicycles are healthy exercise and fossil fuels free transportation. Electric bicycles are bringing many older adults back to cycling. Ride to work, ride to school or ride for fun.
Problem is the formed infrastructure in most places is not well suited to do that, it would require a complete overall of streets and types of transportation basically all at once. The streets just dont have enough space, and cant tear buildings down. Would love to see it though.
About saddle height: invest in a dropper post. You can pedal without bending the knees too much while still getting the feet flat on the ground while stopped.
I don't know how it is in the US but here in Belgium the law requires every bike to have brakes in good working condition, a bell, reflectors front, back and sides. You are also required to have lights on (front and back) when it's dark or visibility is bad but those can also be placed on yourself or your backpack,... Personally I think wearing a HiViz vest adds a lot more to safety than wearing a helmet. Studies have shown that yes, helmets provide excellent protection against head injury but ironically they also increase the likeliness of accidents because they give the wearer a sense of safety, resulting in them driving more recklessly. Better to be highly visible and not get hit by cars at all.
My personally preference as a pedestrian is the sound of a bell ring, just to say they are passing. Otherwise it is a shock sometimes as the bike flashes by. As a cyclist. I did have one instance when two large dogs chased me for a kilometre with the owner trying to call them back. Lucky the ebike had plenty of speed to out run any dog/dogs! always take great care when passing anyone, plus here in Australia we get lots of dogs some on a lead and others not, so a ring on the bell a couple of times, one ring at a distance and another as you approach closer.
Good Topics I just received a fat tire bike, I seen most people mentioned getting started with throttle. I'm a heavy rider I have a hunch we had better down shift, I'm thinking that's undo stress on motor, I had to stop at stop sign did not down shift I wasn't sure if the throttle was going to get the job done, I had someone insisting that I cross, that's when I thought you need to prepare to start and stop. When it comes to clothing I was wondering if there is not a reason for spandex, As I mentioned I'm heavy and pants are rather loose, every time I try to get off Bike the crotch area of pants seem to hook on nose of saddle and I can't get free of bike, I have a feeling this will take me down sooner or later. You have a great channel 👍
Another reason for the lycra/spandex clothing is reduction of drag too, loose fitting clothing will require slightly more power to maintain a higher speed, it's the same with being in upright positions, having your hands on the outside of the handlebars, ect. Some people obsess about it all, especially in the sport cycling world. It's a lot less important at lower speeds
Knowing when to change or get your hydraulic brake oil, pads, and/or discs changed. Believe me wish someone had told me about the above before I got my ebike.
Safety with awareness of other approaching bicycles or vehicles, especially if you are riding on a street and not a bike path, would be greatly assisted by the use of a rear view mirror. The two main types are handlebar mounted and helmet mounted. Both have their pluses and minuses with respect to how well they provide rear view visibility, and how easy or hard they are to “get used to”.
My bike shop gave the following most-common error about gears/transmission : when using gears, the rider needs to move the pedals while changing gear. Though the opposite must be done for transmission. You have to change the transmission while keeping still the pedals.
im new as of this weekend to ebiking. Ive been on a few local ease trails. I have a horn ,and ive used it. but more as like a "hey you im like 20ft behind you" kind of pre warning. then do a polite "on your left" when im nearer / passing"
Good points Chris, re: helmets their are e-bike specific helmets out there, I use the ABUS Pedelec 2.0 , as for being seen , FLECTR make great reflectors, they even won design awards.
Fit a rear vision mirror. consider that you are on a powered vehicle and are able to keep up with traffic so it's always good to know what is behind you.
Great Video , I'm 69 and 7 years ago I had a bi lateral knee replacement, it took me 3 years to learn how to ride again, I love my bike riding especially where I live at a Coastal Flat Village, your info is so much appreciated, thank you so much., very valuable sharing of information. At the moment I ride a 28'' Avanti Discovery an excellent bike , but sourcing out an E bike any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Great video even for seasoned riders. We are very lucky in New Zealand in that if we break down on our e-bike we can call AA for assistance. I still always carry a multi too though.
I paid $20 more to get AAA coverage -- pick up in case I have a bike problem I can't fix. It makes me feel very secure. I think mentioning that one should always carry a cell phone is important.
Strangely enough butyl rubber IS slightly porous and will lose air just standing. It does not mean you have a slow puncture. As with all vehicles with pnuematic tyres you need to check your tyre pressures on a regular basis and inflate as necessary. Low tyres pressures make for hard work, more stress on yourself and your motor, reduces battery duration and increases tyre wear.
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Coming late to the party but just subscribed. I'm 70 and recovering from cancer surgery so bought an ebike in September 2023. I sold my car and love riding here in Missoula Montana as the town is very bike friendly with shared paths, specific bike trails and bike lanes. Your tips are very welcome. Thank you.
Very encouraging 👏 👍. Thank you for sharing and keep crushing it.
From a safety standpoint, I think one important piece of gear that was over looked is Bike Gloves. They can be half gloves with fingers out and palm pads. Especially for more aggressive riders. Anyone who has ever had to stop suddenly due to unforeseen reasons and goes over the handlebars will be glad they had some sort of protection on their hands since that is what tends to make contact first with the ground and that is usually asphalt. Helps with road rash.
I fell making a u-turn at just 3 or 4 mph fell scraped up my knee real bad but luckily I had gloves on or else my palms would’ve scraped up real bad too
Underrated comment OP!
The one time I've crashed recently, despite no real damage, my hands were the part that hurt the most. I didn't even realize that fingerless bike gloves would be for safety, I just thought they were for comfort. Seems so obvious now but it hadn't even crossed my mind, I guess because they're way different than safety gloves I'm used to.
I wanted a pair mostly to not get the black from my old handlebar grips on my hands, and couldn't justify the money on gloves when the real solution is replacing my vintage handlebar grips lol. Now that I realize it's actually safety equipment, I'm definitely going to pick up a pair.
I never ride without gloves. I love thin, long finger gloves with no padding.
I've seen some pro DH riders racing without gloves.
As an almost 60 year Motorcyclist there is a term motorcyclists use: ATGAT. All The Gear All the Time. Probably not needed at bicycle speeds (although with eBikes getting a lot faster...) but the two things I will always wear on an bike or motorcycle: a helmet and gloves. You can't amputate heads! And gloves: I would really like to have operable hands and fingers while lashed down in a hospital bed. The worst case examples of course, but I do like having usable fingers and hands. {!-{>
I'd recommend a mirror to keep an eye on your rear, especially riding in traffic. Lights day and night & hivis clothing a must also 🚴
Do you have a recommended mirror brand? Or a link to one you prefer on Amazon?
@@matthew4725 hi - Zefal Espion for the eBike (larger and practical) Zefal Spy for the road & MTB (smaller & sexier) 👍🚴
Agreed, when I finally added a handlebar mirror I wondered why it took so long...
what about rear Brake light, and two sided handlebar indicator light? or do you think they are redundant and just stick to using hand signal.
Haven't tried brake light or indicators, I think other road users expect hand signals from cyclists and may not notice indicators etc.
I think of a bell as a notification, i.e., "something is about to happen", whereas a horn is more of an alert, i.e., "something bad is about to happen if you don't respond to it immediately". So a bell is like "i'm planning to go around you" and a horn is "we're about to crash into each other".
I think it's nice to point out glass or sharp stuff in the roadway when you know there's another bike not far behind you. Wave a pointed finger or waggle your hand in the direction of the bad stuff on the road. Maybe say glass.
How do you all feel about bike lanes being next to car lanes? I feel they should be closer to the sidewalk and have a 3 ft gap in between the car lane. I feel like a sitting duck when I ride in a bike lane.
a nice lane is good, but a strip on the road a couple feet away from the curb is awful. cars will ride right along that line instead of giving you a wide berth like they do when there isn't a lane at all.
They don’t even necessarily need to be along the road. I’m the Netherlands they design bike lanes entirely independently of the roads. Sometimes they’re next to roads often they are not and can be a faster route than by car.
They just laid down a nice stretch of bicycle lanes, near my house. The cars put their right tires in the bike lane as if that's what they are for. If going against the traffic, they stare at you until they're coming at you then they wake up. It's a weird world...
I live in honolulu hawaii. I only ride on protected bike lanes(there are only 2 on the island). I dont even know where the unprotected bike lanes are here.
Make sure you have at least 1 mirror so you know what’s coming. Flashing lights front and back. Plan your route for safety, maybe even check it out in a car first. Go a longer way if it doesn’t have as much traffic. Move over when overtaken. Understand what roads to avoid at all costs.
There really is no better channel for new riders than this one.
Wow! That’s quite a compliment
Great video!
Gloves are important too because when you fall, the first thing that hits the pavement will be your hands.
(And then your head)
Yep...totally agree....am a new e-bike owner and have had my first spill...nothing serious but my bike gloves saved my hands from road rash.....
@@miata1370 I wear gloves because they PREVENT accidents. Riding hard on a hot day with bare, sweaty hand, you can lose your grip on the handlebars...which is disastrous!
I proved that today. Helmet saved my head but gloves would have saved my hands too
A mirror is a decent idea for safety - maybe it's not the same for everyone, but I'm not someone who has great balance, and I always have a little trouble going in a straight line if I'm not looking ahead, so looking behind me often makes me pretty nervous. A mirror can help a lot with that. If a big mirror looks too dorky, there's Corky mirrors you can put on the end of your handlebars, which is basically a tiny fold-out wide-angle mirror. I sometimes wish I had a slightly larger mirror to see a little bit better, but it's a lot better than nothing: even on a tiny mirror, cars are very easy to see, and bikes and pedestrians are easy to see if they're close, so in the end I feel pretty safe, and can still look behind me if I don't trust the mirror.
I'm sure many seasoned riders are just fine without a mirror; personally I ride pretty often but never felt 100% confident about looking back, so a mirror was a reasonable purchase.
Man, as a retired bike coach I loved this! Your deadpan Woody Allen-style delivery is a welcome change from the over-the-top perkiness of other influencers! 😅
Thanks for this! Im a new e-bike rider after a 25 year gap in my pedaling career! A bit scared to be honest. Great video...love your style!
Another great video Chris. I appreciate your sense of humor. One thing I would mention, this fits in the etiquette area, if you are riding on a path and you need to stop, it would be nice if you stop as far right as possible and even get off of the trail if possible. I frequently see someone blocking a path without thinking.
The best advice: >
Also, whether on a e-bike or a mechanical bike, learn and use hand signals. Any electrical turn signals on a bicycle *especially during the day* are less noticeable on a bicycle than on a car. We tend to notice the person on the bicycle first.
A great point.
I don't bother in broad daylight but I use indicator lights at night or in dull weather along with good mirrors on either side.
BUT...
I still always look behind to make sure that the vehicle behind make's eye contact and I also use full clear hand and arm signals.
Whatever is coming up right behind me when I'm about to make a turn or change my position on the road can weigh anything from one ton to over forty tonnes and if there's any misunderstanding about what I'm going to do or they're not paying attention then we all know who's going to come out of it worse!
I bought one of them new fangled belted, mid drive, automatiq shifting bikes. Added suspension post and fat butt seat. Now its a perfect old guys bike.
Additional point: keep your brakes top notch. E-bikes are faster, heavier and climb more easily than normal bikes. Especially in hilly places, remember to check brake pads often, keep a spare set ready, clean with disc brake cleaners and learn how to bed the pads in.
Check your discs also, rotors wear and snap with increased friction from higher speeds/ more force
@@bgate1984 THANKS ~ 120 W - 45 N
I think I need a bike anatomy lesson to pick out the brake pads and other small parts that need attention
@@LisaSchulz88 gmbn have videos on how to do this, same as a normal mountain bike
@@bgate1984 I got a Aventon Commuter Level 2021 in June. And its been great! My odometer is at 1024 miles. But I didnt break?bend in my breaks right. So I have to break real slow and gradually to avoid a harsh sound. If i get the brake pads and disc brakes replaced and I follow the manual on bending them in do you think it will improve? First time rider here! So don't know much but have put the miles in. I have gained the nickname "BikeHawk" here by Lake Michigan. I shine my headlights at prowlers and stoners and honk at em. Bahhaha. I'm only half joking. But I do encourage every rider to choose a nickname. Lets start an E-Bike gang! Except a gang that like helps people. lol.
my 2 cents ... Tire pressure: don't overfill, decrease pressure for riding on rough surfaced roads/trails/gravel. Shifting: anticipate shifts, minimize pedal pressure while shifting, keep ur cadence up. Safety: pay attention, head up/look ahead, avoid trouble
Also decrease the pressure when it's freezing and slippery.
Prime item for safety: get & use a mirror, on left side at least. You might think you're the leader of the pack, then surprise- what's that blowing by? IOW, the head-on-a swivel thing.
On tyre pressure, this has been a good quality of life discovery. I run 47mm tyres on a 29'... I was surprised at the comfort/grip by going down around 1.5 Bar.
I have read reviews by cyclists saying that nobody reacted to a horn or devises that make electronic sounds. Generally, pedestrians recognize a bell being the sound of a cyclist rather than a horn or other electronic sounds. Great video ..... Thanks!
They’ll definitely react to an airzond horn it’s just as loud as a truck horn
@@i-vlog1994 That's true!!
@@i-vlog1994 problem is while they will react you never know how they will react. They might flinch in the most inconvenient direction.
Back in the 80s my buddies got best pedestrian reactions to blasting loud music on a "Ooh, who has such a bad taste? Oh, a bike" base...
I ride a Brompton and they have small low volume high pressure tires. I check them once a month. When it comes to lights I like to have lights on my helmet. One because you can point the lights into the face of drivers who seem not to have noticed you but the height seems so much more visable. Having high lights is really good for pedestrians who turn to cross the road and only glance before stepping off the path. High level lights can also been seen better when a car is comming out of a junction and the lights can be seen over parked cars at the side of the road. I am in England and we have much tighter roads than you guys have in the States. I did have an electric bike but I put on too much weight so I got the folding Brompton which is also a great bike.
I would strongly recommend filling your tyres, especially the rear one with tube sealant as fixing a flat on an electric bike can be a real slow and heavy task!
Even better is products like cushcore. Makes rear hub motor flats non existent and pays for itself every ride
@@flawless7019 Never heard of it, I'll check it out. Thanks.
Great tip! Just received my e-bike and I have 2 bags of flat out waiting to go in when I assemble it.
With my Bosch mid motor, my wheels are just wheels. QR wheels, at that.
Awesome advice.
I'd add that a reflective leg strap is a good way to keep your pant leg out of the chain in winter (rather than rolling up the pants). It has the added benefit of being another reflector.
Absolutely! I was commuting to work, and got all the bike grease on my work clothing. So a simple little strap can save from having to throw out the pants or look like a mess when you get to the office.
I would add a handlebar mounted or helmet mounted rear view mirror for added safety. I use the helmet mounted type as it doesn’t require me having to completely direct my vision away from the foreword obstacles to simply glance to my rear.
Nice and friendly video for the newbies. Didn't make me feel silly for not knowing stuff. Can you please do a video in how to fix a puncture when away from home? And what kit we'll need to do so?
You are a good ambassador to cycling, your shop and to NY.
Thank you for making this video. Tips like these are often under spoken and seeing videos like these are refreshing, especially as most of the “cycling tips” videos are generally around the road racer category, and sometimes they don’t often talk about urban utility riding.
So nice to see videos from Propel, as you’re channel is often one which is my favourite because of how in depth and well designed the outline of topics the videos often discuss.
Thank you for this video. I’m a very inexperienced bike rider in my sixties. We recently bought ebikes for when we’re travelling in our van. We mostly ride on bike tracks only because I’m not confident for on road. I do find that some of the “real” cyclists to be impatient and some are quite rude. I have certainly learned quite a bit from your video.
Are yall riding single file or side by side? If you are side by side and blocking people from passing I would get impatient too...
@@seanmcglocklin8553 unlike those cyclists who ride next to each other blocking whole streets, we go one behind each other unless there is a long open stretch.
I'm only gonna casually ride on bike paths or nearby off-roads
I use the horn from really far away if I know it's going to be a tight pass, to give them extra time to see me coming/prepare
or if I am going around a really tight blind corner (mostly applies to multi use trails) I will give a quick beep before I pop around the corner
Great video, thank you. I'm a big fan of bike helmets mostly because in the contest between soft squishy humans and pavement, the pavement almost always wins and heads are extremely fragile when falling on pavement. For urban riding, I believe that it's only a matter of time before you fall off or are knocked off your bike, so be prepared for that possibility.
About the horn: I keep a horn on my left hand and a bell on my right hand. I usually bell to other bikers and pedestrians, but horn to cars and other vehicles.
Top notch content as always. I constantly have to remind my wife to keep shifting down and up as she rides. She often forgets and gets frustrated because the motor is not helping her optimally due to her not being at proper gear.
Apparently, my new e-bike has a function turned on that will tell me when I’m in the wrong gear. I haven’t managed to get it to turn on even when I’m trying, though.
I have both a horn and a bell and you're spot on. The horn is for cars, the bell is for everyone else. The point of the horn is to be loud enough for drivers inside of cars to hear (claimed 140dB) and it does that pretty well. That's painfully loud to be blasting a pedestrian with at close range.
The throttle on my e-bike was the best decision I made with it. Makes it more of a joy to ride in those moments you can't keep pedalling or when you need a boost to get started from a standstill on and incline.
Absolutely agree
Interesting. Mine broke almost instantly and I have had 0 desire to fix it. To each there own.
On shifting gears: I've had a traditional bike for many, many years. I changed gears obsessively. I got my first e-bike about 20 months ago and it took me about 4 months to realize there was no need to shift gears so much as it is easier to change the assist level. And to my mind, changing gears less often creates less wear and stress on the de-railing and drive chain systems.
Curiously I assumed that riding in the wrong gear would be a good way to use up the battery but I think you have a good point here. How many gears do you have?
@@sgordon8123 I have 9 gears and four power modes (ECO, TOUR, SPORT and TURBO).
I ride in the highest gear and if I need assistance, I will cycle up through the four modes as needed. When I reach TURBO and I need more assistance, I start downshifting accordingly.
It seems to me that shifting gears before increasing power modes would give you more time and distance between charges.
But (at least for me and I suspect for most non-extreme riders), time between charges is not something that's important.
Hope this answers your question.
Cheers.
I would like to thank you guys. You are some of my best customers for chains, freewheels and cassettes.
The notion that that shifting contributes to the wear of anything other than your derailleur cables is deeply mistaken. 99.99% of your chain's life is spent driving, not shifting, and that's where 99.99% of the wear comes from.
Mid-drive customers are the worst. No matter how many times and how patiently I explain to them that using those gears gives their motor and their legs all the benefits of gearing, I consistently see them wearing out the smallest one or two cogs in the back, and the stress on those small cogs is also the hardest on the chain. They also gripe the loudest about the expense.
Hub drive riders are not as bad - with hub drives your drivetrain is only subject to the normal stresses that your human legs can put out, but even they tend to avoid using their lower gears and put disproportionate wear on the small cogs - just not to the same degree as the mid drive riders.
With both drive systems, the more effectively you can help that motor get up to operating speed, the more of an impact you will have on your range. Accelerating from a stop is where that motor is pulling the most power, far more than the motor uses at cruising speed, and the more of a boost you can give to that motor to get up to operating speed with your legs, the more you will save on your range.
But hey, keep doing what you do, because I will be more than happy to put your bike up on my work stand. I'll even give you a 50 cent cup of coffee as you wait while I take another big bite out of one of your benjamins..
@@47f0 Thanks for the lesson
@@47f0 That's why I finally started actually using the gears when I got an ebike (citybike). I usually set my normal bike in the highest gear that is comfortable, and forget it, but since I really love my mid-drive bike, I pay more attention to what the motor needs from me.
Only thing I have to say is about HORNs.
Riding over 2800 miles this year, my bike has a bell, there have been plenty of times passing pedestrians on paths I wish I had a horn. Why you may ask. Simply because I find quite often people out walking, jogging, etc. are listening to music or whatever and don't hear “On your left” or a bell.
With that said, if I can see that a person ISN'T listening to something, I believe voice is best as I find it “carries” better than a bell especially if it is windy.
You must try to find the course of least resistance. I stopped yelling “On your left,” as too many people misunderstood and moved to their left instead! This is on a 2-WAY PATH shared by walkers, rollers and bikers, with posted signs saying, “Pass on left!” Often times, I’ll ride around a corner and people walking in a group will block the entire lane, and not leave room for runners and riders to pass. That’s when I might use my air horn to get their attention! Otherwise , the horn is mostly for car traffic. I also use discretion when ringing my bell because sometimes people get startled and jump in front of me. There are times when it’s easier/ safer to just pass people at a REASONABLE SPEED, and just go on my way.
Sure, I like to ride fast. That’s why I bought a Specialized Class 3 that goes up to 28 mph, but I always try to be SAFE and COURTEOUS when riding in public areas.
Typical problem experienced by motorcyclists. Your horn is a "cause other traffic to start behaving erratically" button. That's the last thing you want.
“On your left.”
I understood that reference.
How old am I? Black and white TV and one-to-three gears on adult bikes. I rely entirely on my throttle to get me out of intersections fast and then settle down to 0, 1, or 2 assist. I never change gears; 2 is for uphill. 5 is for ONE time being very very late for work, and I had to concentrate on getting the bike to stay on the ground as much as possible. (I got there on time). I will probably not change my style but will appreciate and respect being clued in about how my bike feels about all this. Thanks.
Very informative video. The only thing I might add would be for those of us who keep a small water bottle on our bikes for our trip, stop your bike to drink from it and don't drink while your riding down your path...I've seen 2 separate accidents occur this way, one with another bike coming towards her and the other with a pedestrian hit. Just a safety issue. Thanks for a wonderful video here.
Another way to mitigate this distraction is to use a hydration backpack. You can have the hose strapped conveniently on your collar or shoulder pad. The only downside to this is the water gets warm from your body heat. I’ve heard of people using ice in them.
Safety/Etiquette
-Mirrors on both sides of the handlebars and properly adjusted much like a car.
-Bike alarm to go along with a good lock(s)
- MIPS helmet for extra head protection.
- Would like to see e bikes come standard with visible left/right hand turn signals. Otherwise hold your arm out way before you turn and keep it extended (if possible) until turn is completed. Sometimes it's challenging because everyone doesn't feel comfortable using one hand to steer.
-Stay off sidewalk if possible
-Try not to go through stop signs and traffic lights. We want cars to respect us on the roads. Show the same respect for pedestrians and vehicles.
It's not so much that I don't feel comfortable steering with one hand, but I'm often braking while turning (like on a roundabout), so the arm goes out until I need it.
@@theghostofpcs2391
What kind of bike are you riding?
@@joshuaj.2108 A Gazelle mid-drive citybike.
Enjoyed your help. I learned about using the gears from you ! Thanks !!
Great analogy about when and why to shift gears. I struggle with that too but when you compared it to manual transmission on a car that worked for me. Shifting up and down based on speed (and hills).
I think the mirrors are a good idea I noticed lots of times when they are very useful even safer than not.
Thx for the tips.
Just got my Superdelite GX Rohloff.
Good lord. What a beast. Heavy as a tank, powerful as a Porsche and comfy like a Rolls Royce.
It has nothing to do with a traditional bike or even a common ebike. It’s a new genre.
So if I'm understanding this correctly, one should adjust their saddle height so their knees get very close to locking, but not actually lock? (I've always heard completely locking one's knees is bad, or at least it's bad to do that when you're standing normally.)
Looking forward to your etiquette video! I ride mostly in urban settings, and I find it's easier to be polite with pedestrians on my ebike, compared to a normal bike, as the cost of having to accelerate after breaking is now split between my body and my powerpack 🙂
Yeah, tend to stop more with e-bike than I used to on my normal bike. I think in the 3 years riding e-bike, I've used my bell ones on somebody walking: that was a intocicated guy, really in his own world walking wide on a bicycle road ;)
The thing that gets me is when people acted surprised or have a bad reaction like nobody else can possibly be on the path trying to pass you just expect it pay attention or get off the roads sidewalks and streets. Or at least don’t complain when someone shows up especially if they ride well away from you I mean if your 6ft plus or even off the path when you pass you really don’t even need to bell them if they go all the way off the path to get in your way at that point it’s intentional you know and then say that you cut them off like nope cutting off is cutting off not passing several feet in front of them more than a few so they are no place near you the entire time so that’s their problem then. I’m not going to sit behind someone I’m going faster than either they need to learn to expect to share the public or else they have no point in complaining and probably shouldent even be there if they might be a hazard. People are way too stupid and picky with that stuff it’s like get the hell over yourself and relax realize the reality that you shouldent care. I just ignore bs it’s annoying but at least it’s not constant and that just shows it’s not me.
Thank you. I found this informative for a first time e bike rider.
Great video, thanks! One point on bells ... I find pedestrians hate bells ... They seem to consider that you are demanding they get out of the way. I say "ding ding" instead and that usually brings a laugh. However the exception is school children with their friends. They want to cause issues for amusement. I have discovered that looking as if you are not going to stop (while actually thinking about it in case) causes them to subconsciously move aside without a word. Almost as they would just naturally walk around a tree. Loads of people with headphones don't notice me at all though and I have stopped lots of times for these guys and then been walked into very slowly! Quite funny!!
on a similar topic - how often do you lube your bike
I find on neighborhood rides many people don't lube.
A lot of good points. Patience as part of riding etiquette is a big one. Everyone, including myself, should keep that in mind I think. The city can be tough and conditions vary so wildly, so we all can become impatient and do dumb stuff sometimes. Thank you!
If I lived in NY I would buy my e bike at Propel. Great videos. 🇺🇸🇨🇦
Some of the preliminary data on E-Bike accidents show a lot of similarities with Motorcycle accidents due to the increased speed over a pedal bike. I'd argue a pair of armoured gloves and shoes would be worth looking into to prevent wrist/ankle breaks (and potentially even a half-face motorcycle helmet)
I ❤️ my IGH. The profoundly absurd intersection at the bottom of my hill has me needing to yield to cross traffic that can't be bothered to signal. When I need to abruptly stop, the IGH means I can get up the hill.
The chain guard on my GSD has been sufficient pants cuff protection.
Having a pump strapped to my frame was quite handy this afternoon. When I got to the school pick up line, I walked Clementine back onto her haunches and gave the rear tire some air without having to remove the somewhat involved GSD panniers. (I did remove my drink from the cup holder. Learned that one the hard way.)
I have a ridiculous neon pink 3/4 zip pull over windbreaker that I wear when biking. I don't think it will keep me from being run over, but I hope the grand jury will find it persuasive when deciding whether to indict.
I’d say the first rule about safety on a bike is paying attention to your surroundings, keeping your eyes open for any vehicles or other elements that might cross your trajectory, and then making sure they’re seeing you by establishing eye contact.
As to visibility, one of the most important things to do is taking your position on the road. Of course, by night, or in poor visibility conditions, lights are mandatory!
Just got a ebike recently as a way to get around regularly, very much appreciate the tips
I ride my eBike to my preferences of having battery last very long so I pedal a lot and notice the 7 gear Hubs you ride of shifting like a Clutch of various speed and terrain. Say I have 9 levels of PAS on 350watt, Im at PAS5 only on 5th gear GOING 21 MPH but I need to slow down so I go to PAS6( 6 TO 9 IS DOWNSHIFTING POWER,but you can go from 4 to 3 ect) with switching to 4th gear, then PAS7 3rd gear, PAS8 I start applying my disc brakes of the speed slow down I safely stop of 7 feet braking to full stop. It is really fun to learn this as it gets me more knowledgeable of how to use besides looking at specs. From there of re start I stay on 3rd to go on PAS1 than at 10mph I go 4th gear, at 15mph I go 5th gear( Ive yet to use 6 and 7 gear on PAS5 because Im new to ebikes) Shifting reduces the blunt power boost of exerting less power as speed picks up , besides that downshifting SEEMS THE MOST OVERLOOKED TIP, EVER. Downshifting controls handling of speed slow down to give safe space to use brakes without wearing them down.
Love your videos - a quick comment. I think bike sellers should offer a "recommended" new bike road kit (customized somewhat for each bike), that includes a patch kit, a spare tube, a lightweight road toolkit (a la CrankBrothers or Topeak), tire irons and a portable pump - all in a small saddle bag. Experienced riders will already have these, but new riders don't know what they need until they need it.
Also, I have a couple bikes, and I prefer to have this set for each bike anyway. The key customizations are the toolkit (it needs to have the right tools for the specific bike), perhaps the pump (high/low pressure) and definitely the spare tube.
This also saves the new buyer having to search to make sure they order the right size replacement tube - if you send them a spare as part of the kit, they don't have to try to decipher the markings on their rim to figure out which tube they need ;-)
Hubbed bikes have the severe disadvantage of being quite difficult to change inner tubes in case of a flat. While I can change an inner tube in under 2 minutes (or under 40 seconds with CO2 cannisters), on my IGH bike it's a 30-40 minute job if I work carefully with no mistakes with all my tools in my garage.
Tbh all this stuff could be said the same for all bikes minus a few things, but you seem pretty cool and send out the right message so you get a thumbs up:)
When I first started riding an e bike, I had issues getting used to the weight of the bike. I’m a smaller person, and it took me over a few times when I stopped on un level surfaces and leaned wrong.
I think anticipation is key. Always be ready for a car door opening
Excellent job explaining everything here.Especially holding your line and passing and shifting and being in the proper gear/cadence.
Ok, this is how I do it.
For riding ANY bike...
Helmet.
Hi-vis vest - mine's bright orange and can fold up into the palm of my hand.
Mirrors on each side.
Ding ding bell to politely let people know you're approaching.
Electronic horn with a very loud and aggressive sound for whenever a car cut's you up and nearly kills you.
Good lights for front and back and if you are out at night a lot, carry a spare for each just in case you run out or one gets lost or stolen. I've been there in the dark!
Basic tools and pump. And perhaps tyre sealant and inflater for a quick fix if you don't want to spend half an hour fixing a puncture.
A bike poncho is very good for keeping you dry even in very heavy rain without sweating too much. But on an ordinary bike facing a strong headwind it can be a hard pedal. Not an issue on an e-bike so I would say get one.
Locks. Use more than one and at a minimum Sold Secure Gold and Diamond rated. They need to be only able to be cut with powered equipment. My chain and D locks for my ordinary hybrid bike weigh in at a combined 8kg. And that's still no guarantee. Cable locks aren't worth the cardboard they're packaged in.
Trousers/pants band's to keep your clothing clear of the chain area. Or put on a chain guard.
A backpack/shoulder bag/re removable pannier to carry your lights, tools, battery, whatever when you park up your bike. Don't leave anything on your bike that your not prepared to have stolen.
Bar Mitts or other similar products for keeping your hands warm in winter.
I've probably forgotten something obvious but that's my advice.
Oh, and a trailer is fabulous for carrying all sorts of large or heavy cargo. And I find that car's actually give me a wider berth when I'm using mine which is a large sized dog trailer so it's actually pretty big.
And indicator lights...
I don't bother in broad daylight but I use indicator lights at night or in dull weather mostly in winter along with my good mirrors on either side.
BUT...
I still always look behind to make sure that the vehicle behind make's eye contact and I also use full clear hand and arm signals. Each reinforces the effectiveness of the other.
Whatever is coming up right behind me when I'm about to make a turn or change my position on the road can weigh anything from one ton to over forty tonnes and if there's any misunderstanding about what I'm going to do or they're not paying attention then we all know who's going to come out of it worse!
u speak so gently and in relaxed manner, i really appreciate it. thanks for the tips !
Dude, great channel and I'm glad I found it tonight. I'm 52 and I rode my bikes since I was very young to the point I didn't even care to get my license until I was 20 because I didn't need it. But that aside, I dig your channel because I now have gotten back into biking at 52 and I bought a couple mid drives for the wife and I and we are going full force bike packing this year. I have a Raleigh M80 and she has an M60 from the 1996 year when we got married. Well, they make great ebikes now with new cassettes, brakes chains etc. and all the other gear. I also run a CNC business with the Mechanical engineering consultation. I'm thinking of a few ideas, but if you have any, feel free to contact me. Keep up the great vids. Real men wear helmets by the way...and before ebikes...I'd always say "on your left!" nicely, but take your time in life unless you're on a cannon ball run to cali...otherwise you won't save a second or two...
I got my first ebike on monday, its an older sondors x model, im not sure how old, but theres no lcd screen on the handle bars like all the other ones I see, im still having a hell of a time learning how to avoid sagging the bike and what ratio I should be using the throttle with pedaling, the thing seems to not have pedal assist without a the throttle being engaged, all of that aside, going from an 8 speed bike with narrow tires, Im really glad not having to struggle going up hill any longer.
Hi Chris. Thanks for another great video. I would really appreciate a more in depth video on shoes and clothing generally for longer rides on ebikes. I don't want to wear lycra like racing bikers do but I plan on taking some longer rides soon and am concerned what to wear for shoes and to prevent chaffing from prolonged riding. I would appreciate any information from your experience of maybe good brands to look out for. Thanks. Rob
I've learned if riding with someone to discuss how you try to stay safe on the road you talked about when passing somebody I always announce myself when I'm a fair distance behind them and passing them to tell them coming up behind you on your left and discussing with someone that's your riding with some of your practices if you don't have a bell or a horn and I agree with you your horn should be used at a certain distance with other riders because you can actually spook one Rider
All great tips that are basic yet very helpful and important. Many new riders are actually seniors that haven’t been on a bike for years. We could all use a refresher.
Thanks for a great video on safe e-bike riding!
I would recommend adding a helmet mounted rear view mirror to check your “6”. It doesn’t require directing your gaze completely away from foreword obstacles as happens when using a handlebar mounted mirror.
I've asked people I've seen using that type of mirror and they seem to like them just fine.
Thanks from the UK for some really useful info! My first adult sized bike when I was 11 had no gears at all! I then fitted a Sturmey Archer 3 gear rear wheel which was great! Many years later I bought a 'Shockwave' full suspension mountain bike with 18 gear twist grips - that was great in summer but in the cold, wet winters I often couldn't grip the twist hard enough to change gear which always happened at the start of a hill (a lot of them in Devon). Today, at 63yrs I have a Shuangye folding, full suspension mountain e-bike, 21 gears via a trigger change with 5 levels of power assist - brilliant! (When I can remember which trigger goes up and which down!) Despite the usual stories of Chinese quality this one is beautifully built with quality gears and disk brakes front and back. I've used it with panniers and also a tow hitch and bike trailer for shopping trips. One word of advice though, if you come across a large piece of polystyrene lying on the cycle path and swerve to avoid it - remember there's a trailer on the back with its wheels sticking out - they don't like bouncing over obstacles!
Thanks for the comment Mate from across the pond on the Shuangye folding mountain bike's quality. I am going to look up a RUclips review to peruse. Be safe Plymouth 57, phil from America👍🍀🇺🇲
Saddle hight: while standing (no forward movement) your leg should be completely 'extented' to touch the ground (obviously only) on one side of the bike. This way while driving your legs will be only slightly bend in the lowest peddle position. Which is ideal.
An other important issue (where many people make mistakes); coming to a stop; break until you come to a full stop (please make shure your brakes are awesome), only then AFTER the full stop put a foot on the ground. If you still have forward speed you might fall over or at least you make life harder for yourself. Drive safe! Just some Dutch input.
One of the most dangerous and stupid things I've done is get my shoe lace trapped in the chain ring. At high speeds it will most like snap, but at low speeds it's going to drag you off the bike. I know, I've done it.
And tie back pannier straps. Got one caught in my disk brake when making an emergency stop when a car pulled out. The result was quite a moment of unwanted adrenaline.
That's why I like bike shoes that have velcro straps on TOP of the shoelaces!
I've done that as well. Had to wear lace up shoes as I worked for Royal Mail. Caught the shoe lace in the chain cog.
I just tested an HSD. I ought to have had the air pressure checked before testing - the tire came off the rim and tube exploded. Needless to say, I'll be checking out the HSD again... at a different shop, and only after ensuring there is enough air in the tire. A bit embarrassed I did not notice at the start of the ride.
great video, as are all your videos I've seen so far. I would add that keeping your line, as you mentioned, is very important, but in doing so, to always beware of riding next to parked cars. I would suggest to ride at a distance from parked cars in a way that if a door swings open that you don't get hit. Better to ride in a consistant line slightly in traffic, than to ride to close to parked cars where you might get doored.
Great session thanks, I always call out well behind other people letting them know I’m approaching, and then say thank you have a nice day.
It's a good idea to CHECK the tire pressure with a pressure gauge before every ride. If the gauge indicates the tires are under inflated air should be added.
Most e bike reviews I see on you tube, don't have the tester riding at a proper saddle height. You're not alone.
Two points about clothing:
1: Since your going faster with less effort on a ebike on longer trips your are gonna get cold ( at least if you live at an other place than SoCal 😉 ) , so take a jacket or a sweater with you even if it seems warm.
2: Sandals are ok as long as you don't try to start in an uphill in the wrong gear! The force trying to start will twist your foot in the sandal and you will loose all power and balance and thereby fall into a ditch!
I would like someone to present a video specifically explaining the best riding practices while in traffic. Do I ride as far to the shoulder (right side in the US) and free up more lane for cars to go around me? Or, do I pick a place in the lane, forcing all cars to treat you as a vehicle in the "flow"? Obviously, this method requires higher speeds.
In some states (like Washington State) the first 18 inches of the roadway are considered for bike use. Getting drivers to acknowledge that is something else. Probably ignorance of the law more than anything else.
Good video Chris! I definitely try to use my bell but many people end up not paying any attention when on a bike.
First thought: He is wearing a hoodie in July. It is 100 degrees where I'm at and it threw my for a loop. Second thought: Great vid - subbed. Good advice on all topics. Third thought: The short shots of bikes are some of the coolest looking ebikes I've seen. Love the variety!
I got a Rad bike and spokes get lose a lot. I have a throttle and use it regularly to take off then I go back to up-shifting but I don’t down shift so much either. Here in WA a bike can be a car or a bike. It’s a big advantage if you want to take the green light or the walk light at a intersection. They are not always in same configuration, I just learned this. Great info, now I have to go check my air pressure.
Lots of good hints and ideas on safer riding. Good job!
This was well done. Good advice, well presented.
Bicycles, ebikes and escooters are great options for last mile, short distance travel.
Cities need to do more to encourage people to ride bicycles by providing safe, protected bike lanes and trails. Every adult and child should own a bicycle and ride it regularly. Bicycles are healthy exercise and fossil fuels free transportation. Electric bicycles are bringing many older adults back to cycling. Ride to work, ride to school or ride for fun.
Problem is the formed infrastructure in most places is not well suited to do that, it would require a complete overall of streets and types of transportation basically all at once. The streets just dont have enough space, and cant tear buildings down. Would love to see it though.
About saddle height: invest in a dropper post. You can pedal without bending the knees too much while still getting the feet flat on the ground while stopped.
Or a slack seat tube angle like a good Dutch bike
Love these videos, always helpful and often humorous. 🥸
I don't know how it is in the US but here in Belgium the law requires every bike to have brakes in good working condition, a bell, reflectors front, back and sides. You are also required to have lights on (front and back) when it's dark or visibility is bad but those can also be placed on yourself or your backpack,...
Personally I think wearing a HiViz vest adds a lot more to safety than wearing a helmet. Studies have shown that yes, helmets provide excellent protection against head injury but ironically they also increase the likeliness of accidents because they give the wearer a sense of safety, resulting in them driving more recklessly. Better to be highly visible and not get hit by cars at all.
My personally preference as a pedestrian is the sound of a bell ring, just to say they are passing. Otherwise it is a shock sometimes as the bike flashes by.
As a cyclist.
I did have one instance when two large dogs chased me for a kilometre with the owner trying to call them back. Lucky the ebike had plenty of speed to out run any dog/dogs!
always take great care when passing anyone, plus here in Australia we get lots of dogs some on a lead and others not, so a ring on the bell a couple of times, one ring at a distance and another as you approach closer.
Good Topics I just received a fat tire bike, I seen most people mentioned getting started with throttle. I'm a heavy rider I have a hunch we had better down shift, I'm thinking that's undo stress on motor, I had to stop at stop sign did not down shift I wasn't sure if the throttle was going to get the job done, I had someone insisting that I cross, that's when I thought you need to prepare to start and stop. When it comes to clothing I was wondering if there is not a reason for spandex, As I mentioned I'm heavy and pants are rather loose, every time I try to get off Bike the crotch area of pants seem to hook on nose of saddle and I can't get free of bike, I have a feeling this will take me down sooner or later. You have a great channel 👍
Another reason for the lycra/spandex clothing is reduction of drag too, loose fitting clothing will require slightly more power to maintain a higher speed, it's the same with being in upright positions, having your hands on the outside of the handlebars, ect. Some people obsess about it all, especially in the sport cycling world. It's a lot less important at lower speeds
Good topics. What are some of the better shoes to use for e-bikes. I appreciate the style etc will be personal for each rider. Thanks
Thank you for this. Sent to my daughter at college, she's going to need to use an ebike.
Knowing when to change or get your hydraulic brake oil, pads, and/or discs changed. Believe me wish someone had told me about the above before I got my ebike.
So, why are you leaving me in suspense????
which pant you would recommend to avoid the whole in the pant near Crotch
Safety with awareness of other approaching bicycles or vehicles, especially if you are riding on a street and not a bike path, would be greatly assisted by the use of a rear view mirror. The two main types are handlebar mounted and helmet mounted. Both have their pluses and minuses with respect to how well they provide rear view visibility, and how easy or hard they are to “get used to”.
My bike shop gave the following most-common error about gears/transmission : when using gears, the rider needs to move the pedals while changing gear. Though the opposite must be done for transmission. You have to change the transmission while keeping still the pedals.
im new as of this weekend to ebiking. Ive been on a few local ease trails. I have a horn ,and ive used it. but more as like a "hey you im like 20ft behind you" kind of pre warning. then do a polite "on your left" when im nearer / passing"
Good points Chris, re: helmets their are e-bike specific helmets out there, I use the ABUS Pedelec 2.0 , as for being seen , FLECTR make great reflectors, they even won design awards.
Fit a rear vision mirror. consider that you are on a powered vehicle and are able to keep up with traffic so it's always good to know what is behind you.
Great Video , I'm 69 and 7 years ago I had a bi lateral knee replacement, it took me 3 years to learn how to ride again, I love my bike riding especially where I live at a Coastal Flat Village, your info is so much appreciated, thank you so much., very valuable sharing of information. At the moment I ride a 28'' Avanti Discovery an excellent bike , but sourcing out an E bike any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Thank you so much for this! As a recent car to ebike convert, these were super helpful.
This channel is one of the biggest reasons I am a very active e-biker! Important information for both new and experienced e-biker.
Great video even for seasoned riders. We are very lucky in New Zealand in that if we break down on our e-bike we can call AA for assistance. I still always carry a multi too though.
I paid $20 more to get AAA coverage -- pick up in case I have a bike problem I can't fix. It makes me feel very secure. I think mentioning that one should always carry a cell phone is important.
same over here in the Netherlands but that might not be a surprise in our bike loving country :)
Strangely enough butyl rubber IS slightly porous and will lose air just standing. It does not mean you have a slow puncture. As with all vehicles with pnuematic tyres you need to check your tyre pressures on a regular basis and inflate as necessary. Low tyres pressures make for hard work, more stress on yourself and your motor, reduces battery duration and increases tyre wear.