The challenges of the decade are already numerous with unexpected illnesses, high inflation and extreme energy prices putting strain on everyday families. With gasoline and car prices still climbing, many people are looking for alternative modes of transportation. If your job can’t be done remotely, or if your company is ending their work-from-home policy, this will be doubly important for you as the cost of commuting is now far more than it was just several years ago.
Thankfully, there are more options than ever to get to and from work quickly, easily, and healthily. As a leading e-bike provider, we are going to focus on the electric bike experience today but there are several other inexpensive modes of transportation if you don’t yet have your own e-bike. The best part about using an e-bike is that you can avoid the extreme gas prices at the pump and keep the miles low on your car or get rid of your car altogether. Dealerships are paying top dollar for used cars at the moment so this might be a great way to pocket some extra cash in your savings account, too.
One of the main hurdles to riding a traditional bike to was that you would arrive covered in sweat and need to change your clothes. But thanks to long-range e-bike batteries and new pedal assist technology, this problem is solved! So, for those of us looking to get to and from work on our e-bikes, look no further than this updated 2022 e-bike guide for commuting… let’s dive in:
Understand Traffic and Bike Laws in Your City
The first step to a safe and easy commute is knowing the bike laws in your city and state. We’ve covered e-bike regulations by state here on the Himiway site before, but it’s worthwhile taking an extra moment to research the laws in your specific city, too.
In addition to looking up e-bike laws in your area, you’ll also want to practice a few basic hand gestures and rules of the road. Typically, when turning or changing lanes on a bike, you will hold out your hand and arm straight in the direction you are going. Check over whichever shoulder is appropriate and make your move once it is safe to do so.
Don’t forget to adhere to all traffic signals and speed limit signs. When riding in bike lanes or on city streets, you are required to follow many of the same laws as cars including stop signs, yielding to pedestrians, and keeping your eyes on the road at all times.
Wear Safety Gear and Protect Your Bike
The next step in our guide to safe e-bike commuting is to dress in the proper attire. This usually means bright colors so that you are visible to vehicles. It also means waterproof jackets and snug shoes. Finally, we always recommend a breathable and lightweight bike helmet. Look for a helmet with a light affixed to the top, if possible, especially if you plan on commuting in dawn or dusk when it is hard to see.
While you are busy protecting your body, don’t forget to protect your bike! By putting so many miles on your e-bike, it will become important to perform regular maintenance on your bike and to inspect it before each ride. Finally, lock your e-bike once you arrive at your destination, especially if you are storing it overnight. We do not recommend leaving your bike outside very often, as rain and snow will damage all bikes over time.
Ride Responsibly
It may not sound cool to ride your e-bike responsibly, but many accidents and injuries occur when bicyclists fail to ride courteously and professionally. E-bikes have become very popular over recent years and not all riders are interested in helping the e-bike community.
Riding responsibly on your commute means watching out for pedestrians on sidewalks, following traffic laws, and not cutting across lawns or grass not meant for bikes. In this way, we can continue to legally be allowed to ride our e-bikes to work and further our mission of sustainable transportation.
Keep Your E-bike Battery Charged
An e-bike without a charged battery is really just a bike. Keep your e-bike juiced up with plenty of power so you can reliably get to work and back. With an industry-leading 60-80 miles per range, bikes like the Himiway Zebra have made it easy to get to and from work several times before a charge is needed.
However, monitor your usage and battery levels at the end of each ride. Create a habit or routine and regularly charge your e-bike while you sleep. You may also even be able to disconnect the battery and charge it at your desk or station at work. There is no worse feeling than hopping on your e-bike in the morning only to realize you forgot to charge your battery.
Track Your Savings
In addition to saving the environment from dirty gasoline-powered vehicle emissions, e-bikes are an excellent way to save money. If your primary purpose is to reduce your transportation costs getting to work, track your spending while driving and compare it to using an e-bike. You will be shocked at how much cheaper it is to use an e-bike for your commute than a car.
You might be able to reduce or eliminate fees spent on parking, insurance, gasoline, repairs, and maintenance simply by using your e-bike regularly.
Biking to and from work can be incredibly rewarding and great for your health. By following this e-bike commuting guide you can confidently begin a new routine of getting to work. Be sure to check your local laws regarding e-bikes and road bicycling, wear safety gear and protect your bike, keep your e-bike battery charged, ride responsibly and share the road, and track your savings to prove to yourself just how much of a benefit is going straight to your bank account.
If you’re planning on commuting at night, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Cycling at Night. Stay safe out there and happy riding!
