Can You eBike In The Winter?

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Electric Bike

As the days get shorter and the weather starts to cool down, many people stop riding their electric bicycles, opting to store them and bring them back out in the springtime. But if you use your bike to commute to work, or don’t like the idea of just letting the expensive bike you bought sit in your basement, this may not be ideal. Of course, plenty of casual and professional bikers choose to keep the habit going through the winter months. With a few minor adjustments and some extra precautions, it is perfectly possible to continue riding your e-bike during the winter.

Biking in Any Weather

Riding an e-bike is not too different from riding a regular bicycle. During the winter, you need to account for the cold air; commuting to work on your bike will require you to bundle up more than if you were driving a car. Make sure to wear warm enough clothes to make sure you stay warm. Ice is another thing you need to be on the lookout for. It is very easy, especially for new riders, to slip on ice and injure yourself. Make sure to pay attention as you ride to avoid injuring yourself or damaging your bike.

Protecting Your Battery

Overall, most e-bikes are built to be splash and water-resistant, just like normal bikes. But there is one thing you need to make sure you protect: your e-bike’s battery. A mens or womens electric bike has a small motor with a rechargeable battery, which is sensitive to the cold. Fortunately, a neoprene cover, available at any bike shop, can protect it from the cold. However, cold weather, especially subzero temperatures, can limit the capacity of the battery. This means that your bike will have a shorter range. To minimize this, you can remove your battery between journeys, storing it at room temperature and replacing it shortly before heading back out on the road.

Storing Your Bike 

Electric bikes and electric tricycles for adults are designed to withstand cold and wet environments. However, extended exposure to the elements, especially subzero temperatures or ice, can cause issues with your bike, like premature rusting or messing up the gears. Even if you plan to bike regularly, it is advisable to store your bike in a room-temperature basement or garage. This will keep it protected from the elements and give you an out-of-the-way place to store it between journeys. Storing it at room temperature, as previously mentioned, will also help the battery maintain its range. If you live in an apartment or other area that is not conducive to inside storage, covering it with a tarp or other weatherproof cover will still go a long way to keep your bike in shape. Just remember to remove the battery and store it at room temperature.

Depending on where you live, extreme winter weather may not be an issue. But even in cold and snowy locales, it is possible to keep riding your electric bike in the winter, as long as you take the proper steps to keep yourself safe.