Wondering if its ok to ride or drive in the rain with your e-bike? The short answer is yes! Like everything though there are some do's and don'ts that will help you to stay safer and trouble-free.
The electric system on an e-bike is designed to withstand bad weather. Three million + ebike riders in Europe, where it rains way more than here, can testify to that.
However, with the massive, sudden downpours and 'rain events' that we get in Australia it is fair to ask whether electric bikes are safe to ride in our rain.
Fear not. If you have a well built ebike you won't have a problem if you get caught in a storm or need to get home from work in one of our rain events just because you are on an electric bike.
Like everything though there are some do's - and one big don't - that you should bear in mind. There are also some things to consider if driving with your ebike on a carry rack while raining.
Riding an ebike in the rain is the same as a normal bike except...
Do not ride through water that will submerge your motor and battery.
Your battery in particular is susceptible to shorting out if submerged for any length of time. Something to be avoided :). Like any vehicle though, avoid riding through flooded water if you can, particularly fast moving water.
We also recommend that you don't leave your ebike outside in the weather for any length of time. This includes storing it in a dry place at home.
Being more cautious with how and where you ride sounds like a no-brainer however it is worth repeating. The roads are far more slippery, visibility can be poor and there are also likely to be unexpected objects on the roads.
The key things to be more cautious with are:
At a minimum the right gear in the wet can make your life a whole more comfortable, and at the extreme it can help save your life.
We're talking about things such as:
A quick clean of your ebike after riding in the rain only takes a few minutes and will pay dividends on your service bills down the track.
A wipedown cleans it and helps you spot if there is any damage but there are two things that you can do that will really make a difference. These are:
If your bike is really wet and you are concerned that water has gotten into the battery contact points then use a leaf blower to disperse the water after you take the battery out. Leave the battery out of the bike for a few hours to let the system completely dry.
If you are travelling somewhere in the rain with your ebike mounted on an external carrier then take care with moisture getting into your battery or display. This is more of a concern for longer trips however something to be aware of as when on or behind a moving car the force of the rain is multiplied, a bit like a gurney.
Displays and batteries can be susceptible to getting moisture so for longer trips it is recommended to protect them.
There are bespoke covers available that you can purchase and you can also make your own if handy. For example a neoprene cover with velcro.
If you remove your battery and put it in the car then, for some styles of batteries, you can purchase battery plates or pin covers to help keep the weather out.
Rainy weather, even a rain event, is not a reason to stop riding. In fact it can be great fun, especially if you don't have an accident or damage your ebike!
We hope these tips help make your next (rainy) ride just as enjoyable as your sunny ones.
If you have an issue that you would like our service centre to take a look at you can book your ebike in HERE>>
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