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Riding an electric bike is a health-friendly activity but can you ride it comfortably even in bad weather? Riding an electric bike in bad weather is not difficult, but it does require some precautions. You can take precautions by wearing a helmet and using fenders to maintain your driving speed. Safety when driving in the rain is paramount.
This article provides some safety tips you need to know before riding an electric bike in the rain.
Check the Manufacturer’s Manual
Before hanging out in the rain, you should first check the manufacturer’s manual to determine if your bike is suitable for riding in the rain. You can verify your eligibility by reading the guidelines brochure or simply calling the manufacturer. If not, we recommend looking for another option.
Use Polyurethane Laminate (waterproof) Clothing
Keeping yourself dry when you are riding during rain is also necessary to protect against cold and flu. For this Polyurethane Laminate clothing is none other than the best choice.
Polyurethane Laminate is a fully waterproof fabric that is breathable and flexible. PUL is a polyester fabric with a plastic lining with a thin waterproof layer.
A lightweight raincoat and jacket made of polyurethane laminate (waterproof fabric) will help you enjoy your ride in the rain. Polyurethane Laminated Apparel can be purchased at your local store or online to improve your as well as your bike’s performance in bad weather. Waterproof goggles and gloves also keep your eyes and hands dry.
Press Brake Early and Smoothly
You can prevent accidents by braking early on wet roads. Due to the wet roads, braking at the 11th hour can make it a little more difficult to stop the bike completely.
When it rains, the water creates a barrier called aquaplaning or hydroplaning between the road and the tires. The liquid film that forms loses traction and can slide on the surface of the water or a hydroplane. In this case, it is advisable to apply the brakes early and carefully.
Vehicles take longer to stop than usual, even on wet roads. Brake a little earlier if necessary to prevent the wheels from locking and skidding.
Keep Your Speed Slow
High speeds in the rain make it difficult for the electric bike to stop in place. This is because there is less friction between the road and the tires due to the hydroplane.
Riding slower than usual gives you time to anticipate and avoid potential problems and helps you stop quickly when needed.
Keep Your Vision Clear
In rainy weather, it can be difficult for a rider to chase other moving vehicles on the road, which can cause serious traffic accidents. It is highly recommended to use headlights or taillights on your helmet or handlebars to protect you in these situations.
An anti-fog visor and clear face shield are important when riding with a full-face helmet, which is recommended on rainy days. Many modern helmets have ventilation devices that help keep the visor clear.
Use Bike Mudguard
Mudguards protect vehicles, passengers, other vehicles, and pedestrians from mud and other flying objects are thrown into the air by rotating tires. It also helps the driver keep himself clean.
On bicycles, the mud flaps are called spoilers which help keep the driver cleaner.
The combination of the mudguard and mud flap not only protects you from dirt and heavy splashes, but also keeps your bike, battery, and other components dry.
Cover Battery and Display
The display and battery can be sensitive to moisture, so it is advisable to protect them during long-distance travel. Moisture can damage the display and battery of the bike, whether in the rain or at other times.
To prevent rusting, the bike’s battery and display should be covered with cloth, sheets, and covers that are readily available at your local store.
Turn On Headlights
It is not only difficult for the rider to see others while riding on a rainy day, but also difficult for others to find an electric bike running around them due to rain. For this purpose, you should turn headlights or taillights on to make yourself visible to others.
Whenever possible, it is advisable to wear neon or bright clothing with reflectors. Also, comply with all traffic regulations and be more careful than usual to avoid accidents, injuries, or mishaps.
Summing Up
The precautions discussed above are summarized below.
It is important to check out whether your bike is manufactured for riding in the rain or not.
Water-resistant clothing helps you to protect yourself from the menacing effects of outside weather.
Smooth and early braking can help your bike to stop completely at the desired place. It can also help to prevent accidents because of hydroplanes.
Low speed helps in effective sudden braking on wet roads.
A clear vision for the rider is not only important during rain but also other times of the year.
Mudguards in combination with mud flaps prevent the vehicle, passengers, other vehicles, and pedestrians from debris and heavy splashes.
Covering battery and display protect them from moisturizer and thus rusting.
You should keep your headlights on so that it should be easy for others to trace you and your electric bike to prevent any mishap.
Riding an electric bike during rain or bad weather is a joyful activity, but it can also be dangerous for you. To avoid any mishap while riding in the rain, you should follow the above-described precautions and precautions like them as well.