Icy adventures: Tips for safe e-bike riding in the cold season
Ready for icy adventures on your SUSHI BIKE? We have the best tips to help you cycle safely and warmly through the cold season. Find out how to make your e-bike winter-ready and what clothing and equipment you need to be well prepared for snow and cold.
- Preparation: Checklist for a safe e-bike
Before you get on your bike in the cold season, you should make sure that it is in perfect condition. A checklist can help you not to forget anything important. Check the brakes, the lights and the tire pressure. Winter tires with a deep tread are particularly important for better traction on snow and ice. Mudguards can also be useful to protect you from mud and splashing water. Also make sure that your clothing is warm enough and protects you from wind and weather. And last but not least, you should take special care of your bike's battery in cold weather to maintain its performance. With these preparations, you are well equipped for safe and fun e-bike riding.
- Winter tires and mudguards: optimal tires for ice and snow
Riding an e-bike in winter is a real challenge. Fortunately, there are a few ways to get through ice and snow safely. One important measure is choosing the right tires. Special winter tires are recommended here, which have a particularly grippy tread and thus offer optimal grip even on slippery surfaces. In addition, mudguards can help to prevent snow or mud from splashing onto the rider and obstructing their vision. So if you don't want to go without your SUSHI BIKE in winter, you should make sure you have the right tires - this way you can reach your destination safely even in bad weather conditions.
3. Safety first: Tips on the right clothing for cycling in winter
When riding an e-bike in winter, the right clothing is an important factor for safety. If you're cold or wet, you'll quickly lose concentration and ability to react and may even get sick. So you should think carefully about what clothes you're wearing before you ride.
- We recommend waterproof, windproof and, above all, reflective jackets and trousers, as well as warm gloves and, for example, thermal shoes or shoes with warming insoles.
- The onion look is it! It is best to wear several thin layers on top of each other. For example, a functional shirt, a long-sleeved shirt over that, a sweater made of merino wool or functional fiber and a water-repellent jacket over that. It is important to make sure that the clothing is not too loose, otherwise it could get cold.
- Did you know that we lose a lot of heat, especially through our heads? A hat protects against the cold and wind. Alternatively, there is also a helmet - which you should wear anyway - with integrated ear protection, which also provides more warmth.
- The face is also very sensitive to cold. That's why it's a good idea to consider a tube scarf or face mask. There are also warming face creams that can protect the skin from the cold.
With the right winter clothing you can enjoy riding an e-bike even in low temperatures.
4. Increase visibility: lighting tips for dark winter days
Good lighting is essential to ensure safe cycling even in the dark season. In addition to the legally required front and rear lights, there are other ways to increase visibility. One simple method is to mount reflectors on the spokes or on the bike frame. These reflect the light of other road users and make the e-bike visible from a great distance. Additional LED lights can also provide greater safety. Models that are attached to the side are particularly effective and are therefore easy to see at intersections or turns. If you often travel on remote roads, you should also consider a headlamp. This not only gives you a better view of the road ahead, but also makes your face more visible to other road users.
With these simple tips, you can ride your e-bike safely and enjoy your adventures even on dark winter days.
5. Battery care in cold weather: How to maintain the performance of your e-bike even in winter
An important aspect of riding an e-bike in winter is caring for the battery in cold weather. Low temperatures can lead to a decrease in battery performance and, as a result, a reduction in the range of the e-bike.
The ideal temperature for the battery of your SUSHI BIKE is between 10°C and 25°C. At all temperatures below 10°C the performance and therefore the range decreases.
To avoid this, the battery should always be kept at room temperature and only inserted into the e-bike shortly before the ride. The battery should also be kept warm during the ride, for example by storing it in a special bag on the frame. It is also advisable to charge the battery regularly and not to discharge it completely, as this can shorten the battery's lifespan.
If you have decided not to use your e-bike in winter, make sure that the battery charge level is between 30% and 90% when you store it. Since the battery discharges itself after a certain amount of time, it is important to ensure that it does not discharge too deeply. On the other hand, the battery should not be stored at 100% either, as this puts unnecessary strain on the cells.
Make sure that your SUSHI BIKE is protected from moisture and snow and that the air can circulate around the bike, otherwise water will accumulate.
By the way, you should avoid storing your bike in a car, as this will transfer dirt and moisture from the car to the bike.
6.Winter route planning: route tips away from icy roads
If you are cycling in winter, you should be particularly careful to avoid icy roads when planning your route. Not only can riding on slippery surfaces be dangerous, but your e-bike can also be damaged. Instead, winter routes away from busy roads are a good option. Here you can enjoy the snowy landscape to the fullest and there is less traffic around you. However, make sure that the paths are well cleared and that there are no sources of danger such as steep slopes or frozen bodies of water on your route. With careful planning and preparation, nothing stands in the way of a safe and unforgettable cycling experience in winter.
7. More tips to make e-bike riding fun in winter
- Safety first – please always wear a helmet !
- When starting off, never use the highest level of support, but start at a low level to avoid the wheel spinning.
- Make sure that you are visible to other road users even in the dark and wear reflective clothing or equip your SUSHI BIKE with reflectors.
- Try to avoid sudden braking or steering movements.
- Please leave your e-bike parked in extreme weather conditions. Even winter tires or special spiked tires do not necessarily protect against slipping.
- If there are leaves on the road, it can be dangerous when turning, which is why you should drive especially carefully in autumn.
- The same applies to tram tracks, which are very slippery even when wet and should therefore always be crossed at a right angle.
- Always keep enough distance from other road users.
8. Emergency preparedness on the road - What to do if the e-bike breaks down?
If your e-bike breaks down while you're out and about, it can be a nuisance. That's why it's important to be prepared for the worst case scenario. You should always have a small emergency kit with tools and a spare battery with you. A cell phone with a fully charged battery can also be helpful in an emergency. If your e-bike is no longer roadworthy and repairs are not possible on site, you can use public transport or a bike rental service.
9.Conclusion
In summary, the e-bike is a great way to stay mobile and enjoy nature, even in the cold season. However, there are a few important points to keep in mind to ensure you are safe on the road. Good preparation, the right equipment and careful riding are essential. Battery care should not be neglected either in order to maintain the performance of the e-bike. It is also particularly important to ensure sufficient visibility in the dark and to avoid slippery surfaces. If you prefer to ride in a group, you can also go on tours together and reach your destination even more safely. With these tips, you can cycle without worry even in winter and explore your surroundings on your e-bike.
