E-Biking for Active Seniors: 20 Useful Tips

Author, Cynthia Ross Tustin – Thursday, July 19th, 2023

E-biking for active seniors? Riding an e-bike is fun and safe for people of all ages. And an “assisted bike” can be just that little bit of extra oomph that you need to get back out there. It still provides the health benefits of physical activity, just with a bit more ease. If you want to sweat and work hard, take an aerobics class!

If you can ride a bike, you can ride an e-bike. But if you are concerned because you have serious health conditions, check with your family doctor first.

E-biking and e-biking tours are becoming wildly popular with senior citizens and active adults. Anyone who wants to ride longer distances without too much exertion will enjoy the e-bike. Who wouldn’t love more miles with less work?

A while back, I wrote a post called E-Bike Tours for Seniors that generated so many questions, it made me realize that I probably should have written this post first.

E-bikes aren’t just for the road, although electric road bikes are the most common. There are electric mountain bikes that are great for hitting the trails. They are also great on the beach and push through the sand easily.

You can use it as a cargo bike when you go for groceries. Baguettes in the basket, how very Parisian of you!

E-Bike Basics

1. Familiarize Yourself with the E-Bike

Read the owner’s manual for your e-bike (a bike with a motor). The manufacturer provides it and will help you understand the specific features and functions of your e-bike model. If you’re renting an e-bike while on vacation, make sure the tour operator gives you a full overview.

At the very least, get familiar with all the essential controls while you’re setting the bike up for your first ride.

2. Mounting the E-Bike

Stand on the left side of the e-bike, holding the handlebars with both hands. Swing your right leg over the saddle and sit down gently. Ladies’ e-bikes let you step through, and then take your seat. From here, you can adjust the saddle and handlebars to fit you.

3. Adjusting the E-Bike

Your wrists should be straight and level while holding the handlebars. It’s designed this way to reduce cramping and strain. This may require elevating or lowering the handlebars, as well as moving the saddle forward or back.

The height of the saddle should be such that you can touch the ground with the ball of your foot while seated on the bike. This is to allow for a full but comfortable leg extension while pedalling.

You may even want to take it for a spin and then readjust it for maximum comfort.

4. Saddle Comfort

E-bike saddles ( seats) are generally made from gel or foam. If you own your e-bike, and have a plan to do a lot of riding, you may wish to buy a saddle with more, different, or extra padding.

If you know you’re going to be e-biking on your vacation, I’d recommend packing a couple of pairs of padded cycling shorts.

Try the women’s Baleaf 4-D Padded Cycling Shorts, they have pockets! And there’s a men’s version too!

5. Charging the Battery and Battery Safety

E-bikes use are powered by a lithium-ion battery (Li-ion). Lithium-ion batteries are used because they have the lightest weight and the longest duration. This combination makes them ideal for powering vehicles.

Not all batteries come fully charged and ready for use. Plug the charger into a wall outlet and connect it to the e-bike’s charging port. Allow sufficient time for a complete charge.

Don’t “tinker” with the battery of your e-bike. They are a sealed unit, to avoid moisture getting in. Handle it with care, don’t drop it or subject it to impacts.

Charge your e-bike battery indoors or in a dry, well-ventilated area away from flammable materials. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight. Always use the manufacturer-approved charger.

Dampness is the enemy of lithium-ion batteries and can make the battery a fire hazard. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends: that you stop using the e-bike or e-scooter if you notice any of these problems with the battery: unusual odour; change in colour; too much heat; change in shape; leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge.

Don’t leave your battery at full charge if you’re storing it for a month or more. It is also best to remove the battery from the bike and store it at 60% of its capacity. You can make use of Liv’s Smart Charger which has a useful 60% charge function to ensure safe storage.

Take It for a Spin

6. Power On the E-Bike

Start the electric bike by pressing a button on the display panel. Or by turning the key, depending on the model.

7. Choose Your Pedal Assist Level

Most e-bikes offer multiple levels of pedal assist (e.g., low, medium, high). Select the level that suits your riding preference and terrain. This is what makes this bike so helpful, regardless of your regular activity level.

If you’re looking for just a little extra “pep”, or perhaps you’re just trying to conserve your battery, ride with a pedal assist level (PAL) of 1 to 2. That should keep you comfortably peddling at around 8-13mph. Gosh, PAL, it even sounds friendly and helpful!

A PAL of 3 is ideal for powering up the hills, or about 15 to 18mph on flat ground.

Remember, pedal assist is different from using the throttle.

8. Pedaling and Engaging the Motor

Start pedalling lightly, and the motor should automatically engage, providing additional power to assist your pedalling efforts. Once you engage the throttle, you won’t be pedalling, and the battery will be doing all the work.

All throttle and no pedalling will reduce your battery life. I know, duh! But it had to be said. E-bikes do not use regenerative technology. That means, while you’re pedalling, power is not being fed back into your battery.

Ease into riding and gradually increase your speed. Get comfortable with the pedal assist and how it affects your ride.

9. Braking and Handling

Practice using the brakes to familiarize yourself with their responsiveness. E-bikes can be heavier than regular bikes due to the battery and motor, so practice handling at slower speeds first.

A general rule of thumb for all bikes is to brake harder at the front and gentler at the back. The reason for this is weight distribution. Weight shifts forward when braking.

When braking downhill, use “intermittent breaking”. It’s better to brake firmly several times than to constantly engage the brakes all the way downhill.

E-Biking for Active Seniors – Safety

10. Observe Traffic Rules

Treat your e-bike like any other bicycle and follow all traffic rules and regulations. Ride in the same direction as traffic, use hand signals, and obey traffic signals and signs.

11. Maintain a Safe Distance

Keep a safe distance from other vehicles and pedestrians while riding to avoid accidents.

12. Uphill and Downhill Riding

When riding uphill, shift to a lower gear and use higher levels of pedal assist if needed. When riding downhill, use lower levels of pedal assist or none at all to conserve battery power.

13. Parking and Storage

Park your e-bike in designated areas, using a sturdy bike lock to secure it. Store the e-bike indoors, if possible, to protect it from weather and theft.

Short-term e-bike rentals may come with a bike cover. Check with the shop you’re renting from to see if they have rules for prolonged rainy periods.

Consider the versatile USHAKE lock, it’s good for bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles.

If you’re renting your e-bike while on vacation, ask the rental company for a lock. If you’re riding an e-bike that has been provided as part of a tour, follow the guide’s directions for securing the bike during breaks and rest stops.

14. Regular Maintenance

Keep your e-bike in good condition by performing regular maintenance. Check tire pressure, brakes, and other components according to the owner’s manual recommendations.

If you’re renting the e-bike for your vacation, or just a day tour, definitely check the tires for wear and side wall bulges. As well as dents and dings.

Returning your rental bike can be a lot like returning your rental car. It’s good practice to take a few photos before you wheel it off the lot!

15. Be Visible and Wear a Helmet

Enhance your visibility by wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially during low-light conditions. Always wear a properly fitting helmet for safety.

Helmets

Your e-bike might have a motor, but that doesn’t mean you need a full-face helmet like on a motorcycle. A regular bike helmet will do.

Zarco makes a great, lightweight, unisex biking helmet with a peak on the front. It’s comfortable and reasonably priced.

Check out the Zarco Bike Helmet here.

If you plan on riding regularly, in a more urban environment with more traffic, or in times of lower visibility, then consider a helmet with integrated rear flashing light. This will make you more visible to approaching drivers.

Smith, originally a mountain bike helmet maker, has a helmet that is MIPS Safety Protection System NTA-8776, CPSC, CE EN 1078 and AS/NZS263 certified; that means it’s certified for e-bikes. Not a requirement in most jurisdictions. But total peace of mind for you and your melon!

Check out the Smith Bike Helmet here.

Let me digress for a moment here, and put on my old ICU trauma nurse hat. The two things that help reduce the severity of injuries to bike riders who ride on roads are helmets and high-visibility clothing. Light reflective clothing, and no dark colours. A Safety vest is even better.

Vests

Tourun makes a lightweight, highly reflective vest that comes with cuffs. I actually wear mine when I walk early in the morning.

Check out the Tourun reflective vest here.

For extra safety and die-hard riders (I mean that you ride a lot, not that you’re hard to kill), try the OMKHE LED Reflective vest. It has a rechargeable flashing light, in addition to the reflective fabric.

Check out the OMKHE LED Reflective Vest here.

16. Stay Alert and Mindful

Pay attention to your surroundings, be aware of potential hazards, and avoid distractions like using your phone while riding.

Don’t text and ride. If you need your phone for navigation or other e-bike-related apps, mount it properly to the handlebars. Andobil makes one that’s bumpy road approved. It’s durable, easy to install, and good for your bike, e-bike, scooter, ATV, or motorcycle.

Check out the Andobil Bike Phone Mount here.

17. Practice Emergency Braking

Practice emergency braking in a safe area to ensure you can stop quickly if needed. Many newer e-bikes have ABS brakes, which can take a bit of getting used to…on a bike. But just like your car, they’re meant for smoother, even braking. They are designed to keep the front wheel from locking, to help you avoid skidding.

But not every e-bike is ABS equipped, best to take a test ride before heading out.

Active Seniors On Your E-Bike

18. Be Courteous to Others

Share paths and trails with pedestrians and other cyclists, announcing your presence when overtaking them. Yes, a bell helps. Many municipal park paths are labelled; one side for walking, one side for riding.

As with any sport or activity, there’s a certain etiquette. Things like yielding to pedestrians and vehicles, knowing where you can ride, and riding with the flow of traffic. There’s also yield before turning or switching lanes, and ride farthest to the right.

19. Plan Your Routes

Plan your routes before setting off, considering bike lanes and paths that can offer a safer riding experience. Don’t underestimate the value of a good when it comes to navigation. Strava, Trailforks, and Google Maps are all free and work on both Android and IOS.

There are also apps that can link to the control panel of your specific e-bike. Those can as both a fitness and navigation module. Strava, for example, will sync with some of your existing fitness/personal wellness apps.

And apps like Bike Doctor and Spoke Tension Gauge help you maintain your e-bike.

As with most things…there’s an app for that!

20. Know Local Laws and Regulations

Be familiar with e-bike laws and regulations in your area, as they may vary depending on the region. Follow all road signage, and make you signal your turns either electronically or with good old-fashioned hand signals.

It’s worthwhile checking to see if there are helmet laws. And I’d recommend wearing one even if the law doesn’t require it. Or get yourself some really good vacation medical insurance. Because flying a head injury patient back home will be super expensive!

I’ll link my two preferred travel insurance options below. One for active adults under 65, and one for active adults over 65. I don’t see the difference between us, but apparently, insurance companies do!

Let’s Sum Up E-Biking for Active Seniors

Remember, riding an e-bike can be enjoyable and environmentally friendly. But safety should always be a top priority. Following these steps and safety tips will help ensure a smooth and safe e-biking experience. And what’s the old saying? Oh yes. It’s just like riding a bike!

Enjoy!

I’d love to see your e-biking pictures, and I’ll do my best to answer any e-bike questions you may have. Just drop me a line. And if you like this post, please forward it to a friend who you think might enjoy it too.

Cheers,
Cynthia

As promised, here are my two preferred travel health insurance products. Yes, I am affiliated with them. And yes, I use them both, and so do my family and friends.

Safety Wing sells what they call “Nomad Insurance”. And it’s great for those working, travelling, or living abroad. Their coverage is for those folks between 18 and 65.

Vistors Coverage is also comprehensive, and very affordable. And their travel medical insurance has o age limits.