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Do Electric Bikes Work in the Rain?

You’ve been using your new favorite pair of wheels, an e-bike, to commute to work, pick up the kids from school, or run errands on the weekends, but oh no…raining it’s outside! The good news is that practically all e-bikes can be used safely in the rain.

The use of an e-bike in the rain poses no risk to your safety because they function at low voltage levels, or below 60 volts, according to Marco Sonderegger, director of e-bike experience product management at Specialized Bicycles in CITY. Like the majority of e-bikes, specialty bikes are “conceived, vetted, and tested for the outdoors and for genuine bike use,” the author continues.

The Details of E-Bikes in the Rain

The level of defense that electronic equipment have against water, dust, and unintentional touch is defined by the Ingress Protection code (sometimes known as the “IP rating”) by the International Electrotechnical Commission. E-bikes with an IP rating lower than 55 “should not be ridden in continuous rain,” according to Sonderegger. Although a brief ride through a little sprinkle would be acceptable, he advises using a bike with an IP code of 66 or above if you intend to ride in persistent rain.