So, you want to commute on an ebike in winter?

Here’s our advice on staying warm and dry on your ebike while you beat the traffic.

We’ve heard a lot of people say:

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothes!” And the Dutch are found of telling their children; “You’re not made of sugar. You won’t melt!” when they complain about going out in the rain.

It’s possible to prepare properly for riding in the cold and rain so your ride is as comfortable as possible, and you arrive at your destination relatively warm and dry. With the right setup and a few simple adjustments, riding through winter can be surprisingly comfortable.

Bike Set-up

Mudguards If there’s one thing we’d recommend for winter riding, it’s a set of full-length mudguards. Good mudguards stop water and road grime spraying onto your clothes, shoes and bike, making a wet ride much more manageable.

Lights & Visibility Most quality ebikes come with integrated lights powered by the bike’s battery, so they’re always ready when you need them. If your lights have a flashing mode, consider using it during the day or in poor weather. You can also add extra visibility with a helmet light, additional flashers, reflective clothing or reflective bags when drivers tend to have their headlights on.

Tyres Check your tyre pressure regularly and make sure there’s still plenty of tread. Well-maintained tyres provide better grip in wet conditions and generally last longer too.

What to Wear in the Cold

The secret to staying warm while riding a bike is to stay dry. While this sounds like a relatively easy thing to do you can work up a sweat, particularly if you’re wearing lots of warm layers. Dress down a little bit when you first set off. Start off a little cool and warm up along the way.

Layers are your friend, try a few combinations to see what works best for you. Avoid cotton as a base layer – cotton t-shirts and singlets hold moisture against your skin. Use merino or poly-based thermals that wick moisture away from the body and dry out quickly.

A few warm extras can make all the difference:

– A warm and windproof pair of gloves or mittens are essential. – A light scarf, a snood, or a thin beanie under your helmet. – Wear good quality winter socks (merino or bamboo socks are excellent). – Warm boots or shoes. Gore-tex equipped shoes can help with waterproofing.

After a few rides in the cold, you will quickly work out the best solution for your body and riding conditions and you’ll easily be able to dress accordingly for each ride. No sweat.

What to Wear in the Rain

Everyone develops their own approach to riding in the rain. Here are a few options worth trying:

– A loose-fitting waterproof jacket that fits comfortably over your layers – Waterproof overpants or cycling rain chaps – Opening ventilation panels wherever possible to reduce sweating – A cycling cape or poncho, which often provides better airflow while keeping rain off your upper body

You don’t need perfect weather to ride comfortably. A little preparation usually goes a long way.

Get out there and give it a go!