There’s no question that eBikes have improved how we commute in Canada. Forget about sitting in traffic and breathing in the idling fumes of cars. Instead, get some relaxing exercise and enjoy the fresh outdoors.
Now you might think that with the dark, grey gloom of winter looming over us that it’s time to pack it in for winter – say goodbye to the endorphin-boosting commute. But we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be so.
Commuting with your eBike is still very possible in the winter; it just takes some preparation and knowledge.
Let’s start with the bike basics. Fat bikes are a popular choice for those who also love to take their eBike into the trails. However, for city commuters, a narrower tire that can cut through the snow and make contact with the pavement is ideal.
Consider too the rubber and pressure of the tires.
“If the rubber of your tire is hard, you’re going to slip more easily,” says Michel Courval of iGO Electric.
Similar to how we change our car tires in the winter to adapt to the cold temperatures, we need to change our bike tires to have a softer rubber with good tread and drop the pressures to provide better control in winter conditions.
To ensure maximum safety in the areas of Canada where snow and ice can pile up, consider adding studs. Courval recommends a stud pattern with the rubber band in the middle and two rows of studs on the side. That way, if you need to make a quick swerve to avoid a car door or other obstruction, your bike won’t slip out from under you.
Now let’s talk about bike care. Salt from the road will eat away at your bike. Although a spring tune-up to fix the corrosion that happened over winter is still remarkably affordable compared to the maintenance of a car, you can mitigate the cost further by ensuring your bike is kept clean through winter. Clean off the salt with water, and grease the components of your bike that dirt and water might sneak into.
We probably don’t need to tell you to dress warmly when commuting on your eBike this winter. But you’re not the only one that needs to stay cozy. If you have a longer commute, consider purchasing a neoprene cover for your bike battery to ensure it performs at the level you need. Cold air can zap the charge.
And finally, it’s winter. It’s cold. It’s snowy. Drivers don’t always expect to see a brave bicyclist enjoying the fresh outdoors, so it’s more important than ever for eBike commuters to be aware.
Photography courtesy of iGO Electric Bikes
You may also like: Winter’s 10 Coolest Outdoor Fitness Trends
Read This Story in Our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide
The best gift-giving ideas this holiday season, stories, and great holiday recipes
