Can you ride an electric bike in winter?

Rain, sleet, ice, mud, darkness – even the most passionate cyclist must show determination and endurance in autumn and especially in winter in order not to “throw the bike into the bush”.

Did you know that you can also ride an electric bike in winter?

With the right equipment and a few tricks, you can enjoy riding an electric bike in winter and in those uncomfortable months when the weather is quite bad. What’s more, if you do everything right, cycling will help you stay fit and healthy even during the cold months. This is because riding an electric bicycle in winter makes the heart work and blood actively pumps in the body, strengthens immunity, relieves stress and may even save you from the next cold. Bosch eBike Systems points out some tips to pay attention to before, during and after riding.

Correct clothing and equipment

You’ve probably heard the expression: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.” This principle is still relevant and applies even if you’re a real persistent soul and decide to ride your electric bike even in winter – the darkest months of the year. You are ready for every (weather) occasion in life when dressed in layers. The bottom layer should consist of functional clothing that conducts body moisture to the outside. Wind and waterproof outerwear provides an excellent layer of protection. In order to prevent fingers from freezing and to ensure sensitive handling of the brake levers, proper winter gloves should be purchased. We recommend using a safe and why not a beautiful helmet, but in winter it should be worn underneath also a thinner hat. A good bike helmet is comfortably adjustable, so the hat should fit under the helmet. If the cold winter air makes your eyes water, protective glasses will help. If it rains or snows, there are various solutions for that too: for example, there are capes, rain caps for helmets, various plastic pants and waterproof protectors for shoes. Such equipment will keep you dry until you reach your destination.

Electric bicycle preparation for autumn and winter

Even the best bike equipment is of no use if your e-bike is not in good shape. In winter, there are definitely advantages to such an electric bike with wider tires and they could have a good tread inside. Electra electric bike tires, for example, have Kevlar treads, and thanks to this, the tires are much more puncture-resistant than regular tires. The tire tread must not be excessively worn. Studded tires are very helpful when the road is icy and snowy. When riding an electric bike, you don’t have to worry about rain and puddles, because they will not damage the Bosch motor, battery or other components of the e-bike in any way. For longer rides in minus degrees, it is possible to purchase a neoprene battery thermal cover.

See and be seen

When riding in the dark season in our lovely Maarjamaa, it is especially important that the e-biker is clearly visible to other road users. The law prescribes the following additional equipment for both regular bicycles and electric bicycles to improve visibility: a white reflector at the front, a red reflector at the rear, and a yellow or white reflector on both sides of at least one wheel. When it is dark or when visibility is poor, the bicycle must have a white light on the front and a red light on the back. Electra electric bicycles already have LED lights as standard equipment and additionally reflective strips on both sides of the tires. To improve visibility, you could wear brightly colored clothes with reflectors, because reflectors really improve the rider’s visibility significantly.

Be aware of the power of your e-bike

Careful and attentive driving manner in the saddle of an e-bike on slippery roads is crucial. In difficult road conditions, try to avoid sudden braking and sudden changes of direction. In the case of snow, ice or fallen leaves, the front brake should be used rather carefully. Avoid both braking and cranking the pedals when cornering sharply. On slippery surfaces, never start driving with the most powerful mode of the engine, on Bosch engines it is, for example, Turbo mode. Although you should prefer the bicycle path when riding a bicycle (if it exists), if the bicycle path is not cleared of snow, use the road instead.

Important things after driving

If you have reached your destination with your electric bike in autumn and winter, the first thing you would probably like to do is go indoors. This is completely understandable. However, there are a few things that should be done first:

if you park your e-bike outside in winter, remove the battery from the e-bike and store it indoors (ideally at a temperature of 15-20 degrees). This also applies to the framese about hidden batteries, for example models Townie Path Go! and Vale Go!. Bosch batteries are designed in such a way that they are easy to remove and put back, whether they are attached to the frame or hidden inside the frame.
remove larger dirt such as salt, dirt and snow as soon as possible after driving. This prevents dirt from sticking and drying on the bike, which is quite troublesome to scrub clean later.
so that your electric bike is protected from weather conditions and lasts a long time, you could find a place for it in the garage, storage room or basement. If you don’t have such a storage space, be sure to use bicycle cover.

Preparing the e-bike for the winter holidays

However, if you still decide to leave your electric bike on a rest break for the harshest winter months, we definitely recommend cleaning it and lightly oiling it. A little oil for the chain and a suitable lubricant for the exposed metal parts, and your e-bike will thank you with a smooth start in the spring. The battery and display should be removed from the electric bike and stored in a dry place at room temperature. It is important that the capacity of the battery is in the range of 30-60%.