What You Need To Know About Electric Bikes in Cold Weather

There’s no reason to store your electric bike during the winter—you can ride year-round! You may hit a few snags when taking your bike out in the cold, but we’re here to help. From battery care to bike maintenance, here’s what you need to know about electric bikes in cold weather.

Maintain Your Bike

With snow, slush, and salt, you’ll need to regularly clean your bicycle to prevent rust and grime from building up. After each ride, take a little time to wipe down your bike with a damp cloth, then dry it. Plan to use a bicycle-specific lubricant on your chains to keep them in tip-top shape. As far as maintenance goes, unless something goes awry, that’s all you need to do!

Switch to Winter Tires

Standard tires are made for clear, dry roads and sidewalks. If you try to take your bike out into snowy conditions without switching out your tires, you’ll endure a slip-sliding experience that could result in a crash. Studded tires are a no-brainer when taking your bike out in snowy conditions. They’ll help you maintain traction whether the roads are plowed or caked with ice and snow.

Keep Safety in Mind

Winter riding is different than summer riding, and you should adapt your strategy to reflect that. Take things slower to combat the slippery conditions and remember how much earlier it gets dark during the winter. Never forget your helmet or reflective gear when riding, and especially at night.

Battery Care Is Key

There’s a lot to know about how e-bike batteries work, but the most important thing to keep in mind is that they function just like car batteries in the cold. They can lose their charge much more quickly, so you should remove the battery after a ride and bring it indoors with you. When you’re ready to ride, remove it from the charger and bring it outside to your bike—you’re good to go!

Now that you understand what you need to know about electric bikes in cold weather, throw on a coat and enjoy a crisp ride!