There is a lot of innovation in the electric bike (ebike) space right now.  Significant investments are being made by companies in diverse industries as well as individual inventors around the world to improve ebike designs.  While two-wheel transportation has evolved steadily over the past 120 years, the pace of innovation has sped up exponentially as a result of the addition of a motor and battery to a bike.  The electrical components on an ebike and the refinement of these creates new opportunities for features not possible before.  Following is some of the  technology we’ve noticed available in leading edge ebikes today and might be common in the future plus social trends indicating acceptance of ebikes. 

Protein bars are a popular snack food for a ride on a bike and with good reason.  They are a source of nutrition, and their compact size makes them easy to put in a jersey pocket or bike bag to eat along the route.  Protein is considered essential to the growth and repair of virtually all cells and body tissues.  Although there are many protein bars on the market, if you are looking for a bar that meets your preferences and to reduce processed food in your diet, it is easy to make protein bars yourself that are tasty and healthy.  

​If you own an electric bike (ebike) or know someone that does, the most important thing you need to know or tell other ebike enthusiasts about, is battery safety.  Along with the new popularity of ebikes as a clean, efficient, and fun means of mobility for transportation or recreations is, unfortunately, an increase in ebike battery fires.  Knowing battery safety practices will ensure maximum safety, utility and life of you, others around your, your ebike, and its battery.

Wearing a helmet makes sense whenever you ride a bike.  With the variety of styles and prices for new bike helmets you might be confused about how to choose one.  They provide different  head coverage, ventilation, and features, utilize different materials, are available in different sizes and price points and it is valuable to know which of these are important and which are just personal preference.  Here are the things you need to know before selecting a helmet to assure you get the safest coverage of your head for your rides.  ​

​You’ve finally broken out of winter hibernation.  The roads are cleared of ice and snow and your beloved bike has been cleaned and lubed and is ready to go.  Now all that’s left to do is decide where to ride, hop on your bike and roll.  While bikes are legal to be ridden on all streets in Chicago unless marked otherwise, we have a few options for routes on off road paths without cars.  You still need to stay alert for other trail users and when crossing at intersections, but these paths offer a casual stress-free way to kick off your best ever riding season. 

​If you’ve spent your hard earned money on a bike you naturally want it not only to operate good but also to look good.  A bike will look good if it is clean and well lubricated, has the perfect frame style for the type of riding you plan to do, and has clever decals and components.  But another factor for adults is the color of the bike frame.  Does the color of a bike matter and what is the best color for a bike?

​Wearing a bike helmet on every bike ride saves lives and prevents injuries.  Experts say that using this readily available and affordable piece of safety equipment on all your rides is the single most effective way to prevent head and brain injuries in the event you should fall off your bike.  Even if you ride at a slow speed, there is a risk of injury from a fall.  Having a helmet is one thing, but taking steps to make sure it fits properly is also essential for your safety and for maximum protection.    

If you're still riding around with the basic pedals that came with your bike it is time to make an upgrade.  Pedals that come on new bikes are generally designed to meet a low price point and do not take into consideration your unique riding style and requirements.  Due to their constant movement and force placed on them pedals wear out quickly.  Bike pedals come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes and are easy to upgrade so knowing why and when to do this is worth investigating.

When Presidents' Day was celebrated over a century ago it had a different identify than it has today--it was known as Bicycle Day.  George Washington’s birthday, which is now celebrated as Presidents' Day, was made a federal holiday in 1885, and the United States was in the middle of a bicycle boom.   Since many people had the day off of work it became the day for bicycle races and for bicycle retailers to open their doors so the public could see the latest models of bicycles.  During this time in history, mid-February marked the start of the annual bicycle season.

Ebikes are a new form of transportation and recreation and expectations for how and where they are used may be understood differently by people.  Because modern ebikes are new on the scene, the proper way to behave was not something taught to us as children by a parent or teacher.  Currently there is no certification, license, or insurance required for riding an ebike in most states.  But by following general bike traffic rules and common sense ebike etiquette you can ride with confidence and comfort and assure the safety of yourself and everyone else on the road and trail.