There are good and some not-so-good bike and e-bike riders. I asked one of our particularly good and considerate e-bike riders to help with a list of “Suggestions of Etiquette for Riding with a Group on an eBike.”
- Zooming along on an e-bike is a lot of fun, but your riding should not adversely affect the comfort and safety of other members of the group. You may still want to have friends at the end of the ride.
- If you want to zoom, do it on your own or with a group of other e-bikers.
- Try riding your e-bike so that no one knows that you are on one.
- Try to ride within the group, as you would if you were on a traditional bike, not using your power to stay up front.
- And if the Ride Leader tells the group to ride at their own pace, don’t desert your friends.
- When climbing up hills, be particularly respectful of those riders on regular bikes; this means not zipping by them, and, preferably, not passing them while spouting snide remarks.
- If you intend to pass another rider, let them know, and do not do it at high speed.
- Try to pedal with the same cadence as those around you; zipping along while barely pedaling might still be exercise, but it is not being a member of the group in good standing.
- As much as possible, avoid the use of throttles. They may be needed at startups on heavy bikes, but to others, as it may seem like you are riding a motorcycle, not a bicycle.
- Again, remember, try riding your e-bike so that no one knows you are on one.
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