Tips For Riding E-bikes At Night | KBO Bike
There is no reason why you should not hit the road on your electric commuter bike after sundown. However, it is also true that riding Electric bicycle at night or on a dark winter evening or a foggy morning is a tough task that requires a lot of care from you. It is a completely different game from riding during the day. There are so many things to note when you are planning to take your Ebike for a ride during the night. From choosing the right set of clothes to laying out a route plan, so much goes into it. But if you follow all steps and plan out ahead of time, you will enjoy taking your ebike out for a ride at night without any worries.
If you have been looking for some riding tips at night, you have landed the right place. I have brought to you some of the essential tips to help you have a breezy ride at night. If you are a cycling and night activities enthusiast, you will appreciate these riding tips. With these riding tips, you can have quite an exhilarating experience with the moon shining bright and the breeze touching your face.
Here are the riding tips at a glance:
1. Getting the right lights for your bike
One of the foremost things you need to take care of before you hit the ride at night is getting great lights. A headlight, tail light, and brake light are a must for when you want to take your ebike for a ride at night. All these lights help light up your route. But it also serves yet another purpose; these lights help your presence known to others on the road.
Technology has changed a vast deal in the last few years. At a low price, you can get good-quality and bright lights that last for a very long time. If you own a KBO Breeze electric bike with 36V LED headlights, you can ride at night without any worries.
You also need to make sure that all of your ebike’s lights are in perfect working condition. It is also a great idea to carry emergency backup lights with you if any of your lights fail while you are out. After all, it is always better to be safe than sorry, right?
Whether you are going out late at night or on a foggy morning, having bright lights are a must.
2. Get your protective equipment ready
Getting your protective equipment ready when you are planning to go for a ride at night makes the journey extremely enjoyable and comfortable. The protective equipment also ensures your safety at all times.
Carrying a helmet is of the utmost priority. It helps you stay safe in case of an accident. You also need to prepare depending on the weather conditions outside. Carry a warm coat on a chilly evening and a raincoat or umbrella when you think you will have to weather rain. Glasses are also great to keep your eyes safe.
3. Reflective gears - both for you and your bike
Having bike lights are essential. However, that’s not all. You need to have the right reflective gear for yourself and your bike. Never underestimate the value and importance of good reflective gear on a night. This is not essential during the day since people notice you anyhow. At night, however, reflective gear helps catch the attention of others when it is too dark to see.
For yourself, you need to get clothes that will catch the eyes of other riders. This means getting a bright fluorescent jacket or a bright, eye-catching helmet. You can also opt for bright, shining leggings or pants.
I recommend getting a reflective pair of pants since your legs remain in motion while you are pedaling, thus increasing your chances of getting noticed. This is of great importance since others on the road are more likely to notice something in motion rather than a strip of a reflective stripe on your back or arms.
For your bike, I recommend that you add reflective tape to help it get noticed. You can get reflective pedals that help you get noticed in the dark.
4. Planning the proper route
Choosing an extensive route when riding your electric bicycle at night is probably not a feasible option. It is a great idea to plan and prepare some cycling routes at night. To ensure that your riding session goes smoothly, you should learn the route before riding. Whether you are riding at night for a training session or simply covering some miles for a workout, it can be useful for you if you plan and decide in advance.
Since it is not a very practical idea to plan a long and extensive three-hour route for your ride at night, you must plan for a short and focused session. So, before you head out at night with your electric bike, plan a specific route that will help you follow a structured ride that is complete with safety. You can choose a hilly area where you can repeat your ride. It is also ideal to choose a riding location close to your house if something goes wrong.
When planning the route, you must also look for bike lanes that are well-lit and well-paved. You must also choose something not very busy since that will help you avoid difficult and scary situations. It's always a good idea to follow a GPS. You can download some cycling apps with GPS and track your trial.
And finally, you must also avoid riding on streets that have poorly paved bike paths, as there is a possibility that there may be potholes that you may not be able to see in the dim light.
5. Riding with proper attention
One of the essential things to do at night is to ride with proper attention. This is something that you need to follow even during the day. Paying proper attention is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your safety when riding the bike at night.
When riding, make sure you take proper care of the vehicles moving around you. Stop at intersections and look both ways to check for traffic. If you see a car moving behind you, give it space, and let it go ahead to ensure your safety.
Also, I know we all love riding with the music on. However, you may want to avoid blasting music in your ears when riding your ebike at night. You can consider using a Bluetooth speaker so that you remain alert while on the road.
6. Do not ride alone
When taking your ebike for a ride at night, it is a good idea to go with a partner or in a group. Firstly, being a part of a regular riding group works as a motivation for going out at night. Riding together with others also makes the entire journey fun and enjoyable. If you are planning a night ride, you may want to ask your friends or other fellow riders to join you for a wonderful session.
And also, riding in a group ensures safety and protection on the road in an emergency or other difficult situations. You also get a helping hand in case of any mechanical difficulties with your electric bike.
7. Be prepared for a potential mechanical failure
Before you go out on your electric bike for a night ride, the first thing you must do is to check that the bike is in perfect mechanical order. Doing this can save you a lot of time and hassle when you are far from home. However, you can never be too sure with mechanical items, so you must carry with you enough tools to fix any mechanical issues that might come up when you are out. A tool kit can come in highly handy during tough situations. Also, do not forget to carry with a mobile phone if the scenario worsens and you need to contact somebody.
8. Have fun in cycling
And the main thing to take note of is to have fun. While riding at night may not be the safest option, it is still quite fun. It is quite a great adventure to switch up your routine and plan for a fun ride in your Ebike at night. Also, the quiet lanes may make you want to increase the speed of your bike and enjoy the thrill of a fast ride.
Riding your Ebike at night can be quite a unique and revitalizing experience. By following all the essential tips that I have mentioned above, you will surely have an excellent riding experience at night.