Activating Your Electric Bike: A Step-By-Step Guide

Electric bikes are increasing in popularity, but many people feel intimidated when riding one for the first time. However, riding an e-bike is not scary and is very similar to riding a traditional bike. To turn on your electric bike, you must first insert the battery and turn the key to secure it in place. Then, you can remove the key and power on the battery by flipping the switch. Once you're mounted, you can turn on the motor by holding down the power button for 2 seconds. You can then select your desired level of pedal assistance via the LCD display located on the handlebars.

How to turn on an electric bike

Insert the battery

To insert the battery, first check if it is already inserted. If not, you can simply slide the battery in. You will need to use the key to fully insert it—turn the key and then remove it. Make sure you do remove the key, otherwise, it might bounce around and the battery could slip out.

Once the battery is secure, you can move on to the next step of powering it on. There is usually a switch at the back of the battery that you can flip to turn it on.

Now that the battery is on, you can move on to turning on the motor. This is done by holding down the power button until you see the display light up. You will be able to see your battery level and select your preferred pedal assist level.

It is important to make sure that your battery is inserted securely and turned on before you try to turn on the motor of your electric bike.

Power on the battery

To power on the battery of your electric bike, first, ensure that the battery is inserted. You can do this by sliding the battery into the bike and turning the key to secure it in place. Once the battery is secure, remember to remove the key.

Now, you can power on the battery. There is usually a switch at the back of the battery that you can flip to turn it on. Once the battery is powered on, the display will light up, and you can check your battery level. Make sure you have enough charge for your ride.

It is recommended that you mount the bike before turning on the motor. This is because, if you turn on the motor before mounting, you could accidentally hit the throttle and lurch forward, which could lead to an accident. So, it is safer to mount the bike first and then turn on the motor.

Once you are mounted, hold down the power button to turn on the motor. You will usually have to hold it down for about 2 seconds. Now, you can see if your bike is set to pedal assist level one, which is a good starting point if you are a beginner.

Choose a pedal assist level

The choice of pedal assist level on your electric bike depends on a few factors, including the terrain, your comfort, and the bike's battery life.

Firstly, consider the terrain you'll be riding on. If you're riding on flat roads or downhill, a higher gear and a lower pedal assist level can help you maintain speed and conserve battery. On the other hand, when climbing hills, you may want to opt for a lighter gear and a higher pedal assist level to make pedalling easier and prevent leg fatigue.

The speed you intend to ride at is another factor. Lower pedal assist levels are suitable for crowded areas where you don't need to go too fast. If you're on open roads and want to go faster, a higher pedal assist level can help you achieve those speeds. However, remember that higher levels will drain your battery quicker.

Your comfort level is another important consideration. The pedal assist level should be adjustable to match your pedalling intensity preference. You want the assistance to make pedalling more comfortable, but not so much that it feels unnatural or hinders your ability to reach higher speeds.

Finally, the type of electric bike you have may influence your choice of pedal assist level. Some bikes are not suitable for increased levels, so check your bike's specifications before attempting a higher setting. Additionally, some mid-drive electric bikes offer more power for climbing hills, but they may not be designed for high speeds on flat terrain.

By considering these factors and experimenting with the different levels, you can choose a pedal assist level that provides a comfortable and enjoyable riding experience.

Toggle the PAS

The Pedal Assist System (PAS) is a defining feature of electric bikes. It is designed to mimic the experience of riding a conventional bike while significantly reducing the rider's effort. PAS introduces an electric component that augments the rider's effort, with the system activating a motor that provides additional power to the wheels when the rider pedals.

PAS systems come with adjustable settings that allow riders to choose the level of assistance they need. The levels range from 0 to 7, with each level offering a different degree of motor assistance, speed limits, and range. When the pedal assist mode is set to “0”, the bike operates like a regular bicycle without any motor assistance. PAS 1 is the starting level, which provides speeds of up to 8 mph. Between levels 1 and 3, the bike’s speed reaches up to 12 mph.

The most common type of PAS is the Cadence-Based PAS. It consists of a ring of magnets mounted on the pedal crank and a sensor fixed to the bottom bracket. As the rider pedals, the sensor reads the rate of pedaling, known as the pedal cadence. The faster the pedal cadence, the faster the controller makes the motor spin, providing more assistance. However, this system has a design flaw as the speed at which a rider pedals doesn't always correlate with the amount of power needed. For instance, when riding uphill, the pedalling speed is slower due to increased resistance, resulting in the bike being underpowered despite the increased power requirement.

Some riders may prefer a hand throttle over a PAS. Hand throttles allow for smoother control of acceleration and are ideal for those who want to use their e-bike for thrill-riding or utilitarian transportation. Additionally, hand throttles were the original form of motor control in electric bicycles and remain familiar to many riders. However, some countries have passed laws regulating e-bike functions, including requiring that the motor only works when the user is pedalling, which has led to the increased use of PAS systems.

Check the display

After mounting your electric bike, you can turn it on by holding down the power button for 2 seconds. You will know the bike is on when you see the display light up.

The display will show your battery level, which you should check to ensure you have enough charge for your ride. The display will also show your pedal assist level. The pedal assist system (PAS) is a feature of your e-bike that provides extra power with each pedal. The PAS runs through the LCD display located on the handlebars, which you can use to toggle between one of 7 levels of assistance and turn on the PAS.

When you turn on the PAS, the system engages each time you pedal. If you don't press the power button to activate the PAS, the bike will feel like a regular bike. You can always start with the PAS on level one if you're getting used to riding an electric bike. You can easily increase the assistance level when you feel more comfortable and want to try riding longer distances or going uphill.

You can stop pedalling to see if the extra push you feel while pedalling with the PAS activated wears off. You can also turn off the PAS at any time.

Frequently asked questions