Every new motorbike in the UK must be fitted with ABS brakes – technology that’s now being fitted to e-bikes.
The bigger and heavier e-bikes become, the harder disc brakes have to work. And as calls grow for bigger e-bike motors, manufacturers are focussing making their cycles stop as quickly as they go. Bosch claims the addition of ABS system could help prevent 29 per cent of e-bike crashes.
When you grab a handful of brake lever, ABS uses speed sensors and accelerometers to release front brake pressure before the front wheel has a chance to lock – a action/reaction that takes less than a second. It can also help prevent crashes caused by the rear wheel lifting under hard braking.
Bosch ABS is an option on e-bikes using its electric motors, while the Shimano Blubrake system is also available as retrofit upgrade.
e-bikes ABS brakes: Marketing gimmick or valuable safety feature
According to the WHO, the rate of fatal crashes among motorcycles equipped with ABS is 37 per cent lower than those with conventional brakes. A major reason why motorcycle ABS is effective is motorcycle crashes allow only very short time for human pre-crash response. While e-bike speeds are far lower, weight distribution and rider inexperience can increase the likelihood of locking the front wheel in an emergency.
It will be interesting to see if ABS tech can address the increasing number of bicycle crashes in the Netherlands – a country that has seen sales of e-bikes soar over recent years, particularly among older riders.
Insurance for e-bikes
We’ve been providing specialist cycle cover for over 30 years and we’re proud to be rated as Britain’s most ethical provider by The Good Shopping Guide.
We cover all road-legal electric bicycles as standard. If the output of your electric bicycle does not exceed 250 W/15.5 mph, we’ll cover it under our cycle insurance at no additional cost.
We also include Cycle Rescue as standard. If your ebike develops a mechanical fault, you can call on our breakdown team 24/7.
Every cycle insurance policy of ours includes the following as standard:
• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue (breakdown cover for your electric bicycle and you)
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)
Read a full list of everything we include as standard.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
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