Electric bikes are becoming more popular each year. But if you pay attention to who’s riding them, you’ll notice it’s mostly adult riders. Many parents are willing to take their children out with them on traditional bicycles but have more trepidation when riding eBikes with their children. For some reason, many parents believe riding an eBike isn’t as safe as a non-motorized bike.
In reality, riding eBikes with a child is safer in some ways than with a traditional bicycle. That’s why we wanted to share a few ways that eBikes are safer for children than conventional bicycles.
Additionally, we’re listing a few ways you can make your next ride with your kid even safer– and answer a few questions about riding eBikes with kids. If you would like to know anything else about riding with your kids on an eBike, be sure to leave a comment below with any questions you still have.
How eBikes are Safer for Riding with Kids than Non-motorized Bicycles
Heavier Gear Support.
One of the significant draws of eBikes is that their motor power lets you support heavier equipment and accessories. Child bike seats are trendy for cyclists, but they weigh down bicycle frames so that it can be very challenging to pedal effectively with them mounted. Thanks to the motor’s power assistance, you don’t have to be Superman to pedal while your bike carries a child seat.
More Trailer Compatibility
Electric bikes are more popular for tugging trailers behind them. Less powerful cyclists struggle with a child seat and find significant performance loss while towing a child trailer. A child trailer is tough to pull when riding up a hill, limiting where a parent can ride with the trailer. With the eBike motor, you have the protection of putting your child in a trailer without having to compromise on performance or feel forced to go out with the child seat instead.
Less Likely to Feel Fatigued
Even if you are a strong cyclist, the most experienced rider will get worn out quicker when bringing along kids for the ride. The more tired you are, the less attention you’re going to be paying to the road, which can lead to costly mistakes while riding. Crashing by yourself is one thing, but crashing while your child is in the back seat or trailer could lead to far more severe injuries.
With the eBike motor, you’ll get a good workout without getting worn out. Instead of being winded, you will stay more alert while you ride.
How you Can Make Your eBike Ride with Your Child Even Safer
Ride at Lower Pedal Assist Levels
Electric bikes typically have three or more pedal assist modes, with the higher pedal assist settings providing greater power and acceleration. However, rapid acceleration can be scary for young children, feeling a bit more jerky, possibly making your kid sick.
Picking a lower pedal assist mode will slow you down and provide a smoother and more consistent riding experience your child will be more likely to enjoy. Choosing a lower pedal assist mode will also extend your total riding range, which is essential since the added weight will drain your eBike battery quicker than solo riding.
Double Check Your Brakes and Tires before Riding
While performing regular maintenance on your bike, double-checking your brakes and tires before riding can be a lifesaver. Verifying that both are in good working condition is easy and shouldn’t take more than a couple of seconds before you head out. Pull each brake lever to ensure they provide the same feedback level as expected, and make adjustments or check if everything is connected if they don’t.
For the tires, rotate them a few times and look them over to make sure nothing looks off. Give them a good squeeze to confirm they are correctly inflated. It takes less than a minute and can be the difference between having a great ride or finding out that critical components aren’t working after you’ve already left home.
Make Sure Everyone is Wearing Proper Protection Gear
This is one of the most important things you should do on every bike ride. Even if your child is strapped into a heavy, reinforced trailer or child seat, they should never be riding without a helmet.
It’s a good idea for very young children to wear reinforcement pads for their elbows, wrists, and knees. While kids often complain about how uncomfortable helmets and other safety gear are, you’ll appreciate the safety equipment there is a significant crash.
Can I Bring My Child With Me on my Cargo Bike?
Cargo bikes are exceptionally well suited for eBike riding since they’re designed to support additional carrying weight compared to traditional solo riding bikes. There are, however, a few things you’ll want to be aware of when it comes to using a cargo bike when riding with your kids.
Accessory Mount Compatibility
Different electric bikes have varying accessory mounts, which changes the child seats and trailers you can attach to the cargo bike. Some cargo bikes even have unique mounts that are only compatible with accessories made from the same manufacturer (which are the cargo bikes you’ll want to avoid if you already own kid transportation gear).
We note what kind of accessories are compatible with the eBikes we review but take time to ask the manufacturer a few questions if you aren’t sure something will fit.
Different Riding Feel
Cargo bikes usually are longer and heavier than traditional electrical bikes, which means they have a significantly different overall riding feel. You won’t be able to make turns as quickly, it takes more effort to pedal, and your eBike is going to require stronger brakes along with a greater distance to come to a complete stop. If you purchase a cargo eBike, make sure you ride it a few times by yourself before going out with your kids.
Very Difficult to Transport
Cargo eBikes have a different weight distribution, so besides being heavy overall, they typically prove to be very tail heavy as well. While their bigger size makes them harder to transport, they’re often so tail heavy that solo adult riders can’t lift them off the ground by themselves. This can be especially problematic if you suffer a flat tire or other bike issues. Troubleshooting a large cargo bike on the side of the road with irritable children doesn’t make for a fun Sunday drive.
What Should I Know About Specialized Family eBikes?
If you’re interested in riding with kids, a fun and safe way for you to enjoy riding together is with a dedicated family electric bike. Family electric bikes are similar to cargo eBikes, but with a container that features seats, benches, and other components specifically designed for more comfortable riding with your kids.
Performance-wise, we think specialized family eBikes are fantastic for going out riding with your kids, but there are a few traits you should be aware of:
Family eBikes are Significantly more Expensive
Electric bikes have big price ranges, so those on a budget can buy an entry-level eBike and throw on kid-friendly attachments. Even the least expensive family eBikes we’ve reviewed are considerably more costly than the most premium electric bike. The safety and comfort features are worth the money if you plan on riding with your children often. Still, it may be better to go with a traditional electric bike with a kid seat or trailer if you only plan on riding with your kids occasionally.
Family eBikes can Tip-Over Easily
Like cargo bikes, a family electric bike’s feel and performance are significantly different from your traditional electric bike. Something prevalent with family electric bikes is that they are tip easily–especially if you’re making a sharp turn. If you go out riding with your kids, remember to take turns slowly, as the number one accident for family bikes is accidentally turning it over.
Family eBikes are Not Fun without the Motor
Traditional electric bikes can be ridden like a non-motorized bicycle even when the motor is off, and a cargo bike can too–to some extent. While you can ride family electric bikes without the engine, it’s tough and will exhaust you quickly. Family eBikes also have a limited mileage range. So don’t plan on an extended outing with a family electric bike unless you have a spare battery to swap out.
Conclusion: Take it Slow, and Enjoy Family Time!
One of the biggest mistakes many parents make while riding with their children is that they ride too fast. By just slowing down a little bit, you’ll have better handling, more time to respond to obstacles, and have a more relaxing experience.
Riding with your kids is a great way to enjoy the sun and the great outdoors, helping you and your children get fresh air while bonding. If you keep your eyes on the road and show some caution, riding with your kids is both a safe and fun experience that you can all share on an eBike!
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