Nothing can beat people’s love for electric bikes due to their quick and fast mode of transportation. It is suitable for all your trips, especially in and around towns and cities, or exploring scenic routes. The electric bike is non-polluting, human-powered, small, and takes little space.
All KBO e-bikes have multiple speeds, allowing you to overcome challenges like steep hills and strong headwinds without stress. But, if you wish to experience the health advantages of cycling exercise, you may disable your bike’s powered function and pedal with your feet. To take full advantage of electric bikes, you must become an expert in e-bike handling and safety. We’ll review some essential tips in this article to ensure you stay safe when using an e-bike on public roadways.
Tips for staying safe on streets
Safety is paramount when it comes to riding an electric bike. You need to harness specific tips to ride your bike on your street. Some of the tips include:
● Know your electric bike well:
Before you ride an electric bike in the street, you must understand how it works. You can’t use what you don’t know. Ensure you know the parts of your electric bike well and understand what they do. Know the bike’s power settings, throttle, brakes, and other features, such as pedal-assist modes. If unsure how each part functions, you can read the manual alongside your bike, check the internet, or contact professionals or people who own a bike.
● Understand the laws guiding the street:
All cities have rules governing how vehicles and electric bikes operate. Before thinking of riding your bike in the street, you must understand the rules. Some streets require you to have a license, while some do not. You must attain some recommended age before you can ride on the street. Also, each street has speed levels that bike riders must stay within. Understanding the laws allows you to ride without issues with local police or road agencies.
● Obeying traffic rules:
The way a vehicle obeys and works with the traffic rules, so is the electric bike expected to. Riding an electric bike does not mean you ride carelessly and ignore the basic traffic rules. Respect all traffic etiquette, including red, green, and yellow signals. A red light should only be run through if it is expressly permitted by local legislation because some regions permit cyclists to do so. When a traffic light says stop, you are expected to stop even if a vehicle is not coming. The pedestrian road will be familiar since schools will be in the area. Therefore, you need to stop for pedestrians crossing.
● Be mindful of your speed:
With the help of an electric motor, e-bikes may travel at speeds greater than those of traditional bicycles. Speed is critical when riding; yes, we know that the more speed you take, the quicker you get to your destination. Yet riding at a safe and controlled speed is essential, especially when navigating busy streets or sharing the road with others. Use the throttle and pedal-assist modes wisely to keep your pace appropriate for the road conditions. Maintaining a lower speed helps protect your safety and contributes to overall road safety for all users.
● Use the right safety gear:
It is a thing to use a gear; it is another thing to use the right one. The use of safety gear is significant. To protect your head, use a helmet that fits your head. Depending on the weather, wear the appropriate clothes when riding. If you are the type that cannot hold the handlebar of your bike for a long time, you can wear a glove to protect your hand. Also, when riding at night, ensure your bike has proper lights to remain visible. The essence of safety gear is to minimize injury during accidents or collisions.
● Keep your bike in good condition:
When riding in your street, you are safer with an electric bike in good condition. Frequent maintenance is necessary to guarantee that your electric bike functions safely and effectively. Regularly check the brakes, tires, and other vital parts. Keep the battery charged and the tires inflated properly to improve performance and handling. Also, you need to pay attention to your bike battery level to avoid running out of power unexpectedly.
What To Do If Involved In An Accident
No matter how careful you are, you need to set up measures in case of accidents. Though it might not be your fault, here are some things to do in this situation:
● Make sure you are safe:
You must confirm that you are safe after the incident or collision. Check your body for any signs of injury or cuts. If there are any, and it is severe, call the correct emergency number and wait for the emergency units to arrive. But before they arrive, you can use a cloth to cover the area of the injury to avoid infections.
● Report the incident:
You might need to report the occurrence to the proper authorities, depending on how serious it was. If there are any injuries or severe damages, several cities compel all citizens to make a report to the local police within 24 hours. Get a copy of the report so you have it for your records.
● Take evidence of the incident:
If possible, you would need to take evidence by taking pictures or videos after the incident, including the surroundings, your bike’s damage, the other vehicles’ damage, and your injuries. You can also provide a brief account of what happened, including the date, time, weather, and any meaningful information regarding the incident. If you have insurance on your bike, the evidence will enable you to have the insurance claims.
● Repair or change the bike:
Depending on the accident’s severity, you must plan replacement or repair if your bike is damaged. These expenses may be covered by your insurance or the insurance of the accountable person.
Conclusion
Personal safety is crucial when it comes to riding an electric bicycle. The basis for a safe and satisfying existence is putting safety first through awareness, readiness, and responsible behavior. You can considerably lower hazards and secure your safety by complying with safety regulations, following laws, and being alert. The ability to live life to the fullest while safeguarding oneself and the people around is empowered by safety, a lifelong commitment. A good bike like the KBO’s can help minimize damage even when involved in accidents.
