I got an e-bike and started commuting to work about a year ago, and I’m sharing what I learned along the way, in case it’s of use to someone considering it.

  1. You will need a lot of accessories. My eyes water in the wind (and going fast creates a lot of wind), so I found that I had to get dorky-looking clear glasses that block the wind. I found I also needed wind-proof gloves, because going fast in the cold morning air was freezing my hands. Same with a windbreaker. A LOUD electric horn was a must, because at e-bike speeds, you need people to hear you from a farther distance away. I needed pants straps for when I wear wide-legged pants. Then of course you’ve got the strong, expensive locks (I have a Litelok and the Kryptonite heavy chain) needed for a multi-thousand dollar vehicle.

  2. You may need to do your hair and makeup at your destination. This is a big one, especially if your routine is complex, although it may not be the case if you live in a flat city. In San Francisco, I sweat going up a steep hill (often against the wind) even if I max the boost and go slowly, and my eye makeup was running by the time I got to work. Now I bring my makeup with me and do it when I arrive.

  3. A surprising number of pedestrians don’t pay attention. When I first started cycling, I was shocked at how many people step out into the bike lane or street while looking the OPPOSITE WAY of oncoming traffic. I’m also surprised by how many people wear all black while walking at night. This is a big reason why you need the loud horn.

  4. If you bike in urban areas, you will probably want to go overboard to be visible. San Francisco has a terrible track record of keeping pedestrians and cyclists safe, and as you ride, you will see how many intersections force cyclists into blind spots and too-narrow, unprotected shoulders. I have a fluorescent yellow helmet, a fluorescent yellow windbreaker that reverses into reflective fabric for night time, a flourescent yellow backpack cover, reflective pants straps, and a bunch of extra lights. The photo at the bottom is what I look like from behind.

  5. You will find you use the e-bike a lot more than you expected. I just bought it for commuting, but in the city, riding a vehicle that goes almost as fast as a car but doesn’t need to find a parking spot (at least in San Francisco, there is bike parking everywhere) makes it my preferred method to get around if I’m not bringing the dogs. I have two wire-basket panniers on the sides, plus a basket in the front, so I can carry a decent amount of groceries or whatever else I need.

  6. Yes, people really do steal e-bikes from inside of garages. I have had more than one friend to whom this happened! Theft is a real problem. I have an insurance policy for my bike that covers theft (our homeowners' insurance wouldn’t cover it), and we also installed a concrete anchor into the garage floor so I can lock it to the anchor at night. I hide the keys in a place that would be difficult for anyone to find if they broke into the house.

  7. E-biking is actually exercise! (At least in San Francisco.) Riding my e-bike feels so easy versus the regular bike, that I assumed the activity level would be roughly similar to walking. Actually, my heart rate gets up to around 110-120: Higher than walking, lower than running, roughly similar to a weightlifting session for me. It’s a nice bonus!