Top Safety Tips for Riding Class 3 E-Bikes in High-Traffic Areas
Written by: Rémy Rossi | December 29, 2024 | Time to read 5 min
High speeds and heavy traffic. It doesn’t sound like the best scenario, but, when done safely, riding Class 3 e-Bikes in high-traffic areas is a breeze.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
Call me crazy, but I kind of consider Class 3 electric bikes a privilege. I mean not even the Europeans— the rulers of all things bicycle-related— are allowed to ride Class 3 e-Bikes!
Electric bikes sold in Europe are restricted to a maximum speed of 25 km/h (around 15.5 mph) while the good US-of-A allows e-Bikes up to 45 km/h (28 mph). That’s nearly twice as fast. And in my eyes, such blistering speeds come with increased responsibility. Learn more about are electric bikes street legal and get to know your local area’s rules and regulations around e-Bikes.
👋 Upway says hi!
Ride predictably
Know your limits
When you’re going that fast, braking takes longer and movements can’t be as sudden. You’ll probably be moving with the flow of car traffic rather than being overtaken, so act accordingly. Class 3 e-Bikes max out at 28 mph while Class 1 and Class 2 e-Bikes have a top speed of 20 mph. Some city riders enjoy a fat tire electric bike because of the wider, stable tires and moped-like feel, but that’s up to you.
Use hand signals in traffic
Use pedal assist to your advantage
Browse fast Class 3 e-Bikes on Upway:
Take the space if you need it
Don’t ride distracted
Honestly, this is probably the safety tip I struggle with the most. As an experienced city cyclist, I give myself a false sense of security when doing things I shouldn’t be doing, such as checking my phone or looking at maps while riding. Having only one hand on the handlebars makes it much harder to properly react to traffic and taking your eyes off the road is not a safe habit, even if just for a moment.
From someone who gets it, try not to ride distracted. Try a phone mount instead. These cheap e-Bike accessories are a great solution to see directions or incoming messages without having to fish your phone out of your pocket.
And if you’re in the market for a new e-Bike, check out my recent list of the best Class 3 e-Bikes for commuting in 2025!
Key Takeaways
- Ride Predictably and Use Hand Signals: Clear and consistent movements help communicate your intentions to others on the road, improving safety and flow.
- Know Your Limits and Adjust Gradually: Start with lower assist levels to acclimate to Class 3 e-Bike speeds, braking distances, and traffic dynamics.
- Stay Focused, Avoid Distractions: Keep both hands on the handlebars and use e-Bike accessories like phone mounts for navigation to maintain full control.
