How to Commute by Ebike

How to Commute to Work by Ebike

I commute to work every day on my ebike. Here's what you need to know.

Commuting by Ebike is Easier

When I was in college, my bike was a savior. That's because I always woke up late for class, and the only way I would get there on time was if I rode my bike and didn't eat breakfast.

Now that I'm older, I still find a lot of value in my bicycle for getting to work--but as my bike is an ebike, I get there faster and easier than I used to. Because I ride an ebike, I don't sweat it up hills and I don't arrive to work sweaty. Plus, I feel confident riding it every day. There's never any day where I dread getting on my ebike.

Choosing the right ebike for you

You don't have to break the bank to get an ebike that's right for you commute.

Some questions to ask yourself as you're researching...

One of the most expensive parts of an ebike is the battery--the more range the bike has, the more expensive it'll be. That's why it pays to be realistic about how much range you need.

If you're commuting 5 miles a day, and your bike has a range of 25, you'll be fine!

But if you're commuting 20 miles a day, and your bike has a range of 25, that might be cutting it too close for comfort!

The commute for most folks will involve some bike lanes, some streets, and maybe a gravel path.

But thinking about this is important ahead of time--if you know your route is bumpy, you might choose to invest in more suspension to help cushion your ride.

If you're commuting in all weather, you need an ebike with fenders. There's nothing worse than mud and water soaking your back on the way to work!

If you're planning on riding in slippery, wet, or icy conditions, choosing to get an ebike with wider tires is a great choice. The wider tires keep you more stable no matter the conditions. That could mean a "fat tire" ebike, but you could also consider an ebike that just has wider tires.

Where to keep your ebike while you're at work is important. That's why some people consider folding ebikes.

Or you can ask your employer about bicycle parking options that might be available to you.

Thinking about Gear

Choosing the right gear for your commute is important. Here are some things that I've found to be indispensible this year.

Most ebikes come with a rack already in the rear. If it doesn't, you'll want to source one that fits properly and has a weight capacity of at least 15 lbs if you plan to carry your things for work and perhaps pick up anything from the store on the way home.

One thing that doesn't come standard on most ebikes is a front rack, but they're a major consider for commuters. This is because they can double your cargo space.

If it's possible to integrate the front rack cleanly onto the frame itself, that's preferable. This is because then the rack won't bounce around if you hit a pothole or a dip. Look for a rack that attaches to the frame with a capacity of around 20 lbs.

Otherwise, try to find a front rack or basket that has a load capacity of at least 10 lbs.

Fenders are essential to your commute. Even if you don't plan on riding in the rain, you can always be caught out in it, without any other options for getting home.

You should look for fenders that will provide full coverage, and adding on mudflaps can be a good idea.

I recommend some form of panniers attached to the rear rack. These are drop down bags on the sides of the rear wheel.

The best all-in-one bags will have storage space on top, and then drop down panniers on the sides.

Lately, though, I've found that it's better to have two separate styles of pannier. On one side is a grocery-pannier that's easy to drop random items in, like my jacket, hat, or things that I pick up on my way home. Then, on the other side is my business-professional laptop case which attaches and mounts securely to the rack. This protects my laptop, which is something that I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving to any other bag.

I'll also recommend finding some type of netting to help secure strangely shaped items if you have an open basket of some kind.

There are some biking specific backpacks meant for commuters out there. They have some nifty features, but I've found that I'm fine with the backpack that I already have, when I feel like using that instead of my bicycle bags.

My recommendation when it comes to your hands is simple.

Focus on hand coverings that aren't knit.

This is because when you're ebiking, the air is just going to cut right through any holes in the gloves or mittens and you'll get cold very quickly.

Beyond this, mittens are always warmer than gloves because they allow your fingers to stay together and warm each other, but gloves maintain the flexibility of your fingers.

Once it gets below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, I've found that having a good cycling cap is indispensible. You'll need one that fits under your helmet, so make sure to look for that.

Wool is a good fabric for this as it will keep you warm even if it's wet.

One suprising piece of advice is to wear a winter jacket that isn't too long. Don't get me wrong, long winter coats are great normally, but when you're biking they tend to fall down and get coat behind the seat, and make it uncomfortable to get up and off easily.

You'll have to experiment with different jackets at different temperatures and find out what works for you.

Look for a helmet which is ebike certified. Ask about NTA 8776 before purchasing the helmet.

Safety is important, so consider any lights that the helmet has or other safety features.

I've found the ABUS Bordo lock to be indispensible for its versatility. I feel comfortable using it in the locked garage in my apartment building and out and about during the day.

If I know I'm going to leave the bike outside for an extended period, I'll bring a more traditional U-Lock, which is stronger and harder to break into.