PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST

1. Helmet on. Always wear a certified helmet that is fitted to your head. Make sure the straps are adjusted to keep the helmet snug on your head. Look for helmets which are ASTM or ANSI approved.

2. Battery. Check the indicator on your battery to see the level of charge. Ideally you would have the battery fully charged before your ride, however once you get a better feel of the battery level indicator you can more easily judge if you have enough charge to last through your whole ride. On longer rides (over 60km+), consider taking your charger with you just in case.

3. Lights. Many electric bikes have lights that run off the battery. Ensure yours are working properly. If not included, be sure to attach both a front and back light to the frame of your electric bike. If you don’t have lights, check the E-VéLO accessories page for some good options. Remember: they’re not only for you to see better, but also to be seen!

4. Water. It is always a good idea to have some water with you on your ride. You can carry this on a bottle cage mounted to your bike or in your bag or pannier bags.

5. Clothing. Comfy, loose clothing is ideal or, for more active riders, consider investing in cycling bibs and knicks. Try to secure loose pant legs on your right leg to ensure it doesn’t get caught in the chain. You can also purchase chain guards to minimize this issue. Most importantly, appropriate reflective and high visibility clothing helps other road users to identify you at night on the road. This is an excellent safety measure that you shouldn’t compromise on.

6. Breaks. Squeeze the brake levers of your electric bike to ensure they engage. Visually inspect the brake pads for wear and tear.

7. Tires. Inflate your tires on a regular basis to the recommended pressure as shown on the manual. Check for and replace loose, bent or broken spokes.

8. Seat. Ensure it’s at the right height by sitting on it with the balls of your feet on the pedals. At the bottom of your pedal stroke, your legs should almost be straight with your knees slightly bent.

9. Chain. Inspect your chain. If there’s any rust or if it squeaks when you turn the crank, be sure to lubricate it.

10. Axles. Check the quick release levers or nuts on your wheel axles to ensure they’re tight. This is especially important for the wheel with the electric motor as it exerts a higher force than a normal bike.

11. Phone. Don’t forget to bring your mobile phone. It is a useful safety device and many electric bikes offer USB charging ports in the console to ensure yours can be charged.

12. Bike lock. Remember to bring a sturdy bike lock with you to secure your electric bike when you step away from it while out and about.

13. Let someone know where you’re going. Always try and let someone know where you are heading and what time you’ll be back. A great ride is a safe ride.