Ebike Commuting Anxieties? Conquer Your Fears with Simple Planning.

Written by: Joe Borrelli

Published on October 15, 2024

Time to read 6 min

At EbikeCityzen, we're all about empowering riders to embrace the freedom and joy of electric bikes. Through our own personal transition from a car-centric existence to an Ebike Lifestyle, we've found that replacing a majotity of short to medium distance car trips with Ebike rides to have benefits too numerous to list in this article.

But we also understand that safety is a top priority, especially when navigating city streets. There is a fear associated with not having two tons of metal surrounding you on the road. Many prospective Ebike owners are held back by the fear of car traffic. We picture our potential Ebike routes based on how we drive - but cars often choose the busiest, widest streets and highways, which are no place for bicyclists. If the thought of weaving through traffic makes you hesitant to hop on an EBike, we've got you covered. This post will show you how to discover safer and more enjoyable routes using a tool you probably already have in your pocket: Google Maps. And even better news, once you discover these new (often car free) routes to your favorite destinations, you'll wonder why you didn't start your Ebike Lifestyle sooner!

Table of contents

Why Google Maps is Your EBiking Buddy Unveiling the Power of Google Maps for Ebike Riders: A Step-by-Step Guide Decoding the Map: Understanding Bike Route Types Beyond Google Maps: Explore Ebike Apps Power Up Your Confidence: How EBikes Make Traffic Less Intimidating Confidence in Safety: Essential tips when riding your Ebike:

Why Google Maps is Your EBiking Buddy

Google Maps isn't just for cars anymore. It's evolved into a powerful tool for cyclists and EBikers, offering features specifically designed to help you find the best routes while prioritizing your safety. Here's how it can enhance your electric bicycle commuting experience:

Discover Bike-Friendly Routes: Google Maps highlights dedicated bike lanes, paths, and trails, making it easy to avoid busy roads and find safer alternatives. Because these routes are less traveled by cars, you can often get to the same destination faster!

Navigate with Confidence: Clear directions and voice guidance keep you on track, allowing you to focus on the ride and enjoy the scenery.

Explore New Routes: With Google Maps as your guide, you can confidently venture into unfamiliar neighborhoods and discover hidden gems. Highways and main roads bypass neighborhoods by design, but they're not always the most direct route. See all the local neighborhoods you've been missing while stuck in car traffic.

Unveiling the Power of Google Maps for Ebike Riders: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to unlock the Ebike friendly features of Google Maps? Here's how to activate them:

Ebike Maps On Your Computer:

Open Google Maps: Head to the Google Maps website in your browser.
Access the Layers Menu: Look for the "Layers" icon in the bottom left corner of the screen (it resembles a stack of papers).
Activate Cycling Mode: Click on "Layers" and select "Cycling" from the options.
Explore Bike Routes: Google Maps will now display bike lanes, paths, and trails in green. You can even distinguish between dedicated lanes, trails, and bike-friendly roads based on the shade of green and line style.

Ebike Maps On Your Smartphone:

Launch the Google Maps App: Open the Google Maps app on your phone.
Find the Layers Icon: Tap the "Layers" icon, usually located in the top right corner of the screen.
Choose "Cycling": Under "Map details," select "Cycling."
Enjoy E-Bike Specific Navigation: The map will now show you bike-friendly routes, guiding you safely to your destination.

screen shot showing biking feature of google maps

As you see, the highlighted bike routes are not the same as the major roads, but instead run parallel to them on much less busy streets.

* Special Note: Google maps calculates time to destination based on an average biking speed of 10MPH. With your Ebike, you'll likely reach your destination in less time than predicted.

Decoding the Map: Understanding Bike Route Types

Google Maps uses different colors and line styles to represent various types of bike routes:

Dark Green: Off-road trails perfect for escaping car traffic altogether. These trails are often shared with pedestrians and run through green spaces, or along old train routes. We at Ebike have found these paths in places we never expected, and connected to major points of interest.
Solid Green: Dedicated bike lanes separated from car traffic. Some of these will be painted on bike lanes, and more and more, you'll find a physical barrier between the car lane and the bike lane on these streets.
Dotted Green: Roads considered bike-friendly, even without dedicated lanes. We have found these to be primarily residential through streets that cars typically do not use for cross-town driving.
Brown: Unpaved trails for adventurous EBikers. Many of these trails are extremely useful for commuting and pleasure riding. With all terrain tires, you can easily traverse these trails with an Ebike.

Beyond Google Maps: Explore Ebike Apps

While Google Maps is a great starting point, consider adding Ebike specific apps to your digital toolkit. There are many different types of apps designed for various uses. Just searching "bike maps" on the app store reveals hundreds of choices. Most of these apps have a free version, but to unlock more in depth features, a subscription may be required. EbikeCityZen does not endorse any specific apps, but here are some we have used:

Bikemap: Offers route planning, turn by turn directions, and shows detailed maps of bike friendly streets and trails. Also has additional features such as ride tracking, and the ability to save and share your routes.
TrailLink: A great app for finding all the car free trails around you. We at EbikeCityZen have found that multi-use trails are a great way to travel by Ebike. We can get from the city to way out in the suburbs completely car free, and these trails often connect to bike friendly streets near our destinations.
Strava: This is more of a fitness based app that can be used by runners, hikers and bicyclists. By syncing with a smart watch, you can track not only your routes, but your fitness goals as well.
Bike Citizens: Designed specifically for city cycling, Bike Citizens provides optimized routes that consider current traffic conditions, construction zones, and potential hazards. It also offers features like voice navigation and offline maps for seamless urban riding.

screenshot of bicycling app showing how Ebikes can be used to travel on car free trails

Power Up Your Confidence: How EBikes Make Traffic Less Intimidating

Still feeling a bit intimidated by the idea of sharing the road with cars? Even when we can find more bicycle friendly routes, there will still be some traffic to contend with. This is where the magic of EBikes truly shines. With electric pedal assist, you can navigate traffic with a newfound sense of confidence and control. Here's how:

Faster Acceleration: EBikes allow you to accelerate quickly from a stop, helping you merge into traffic smoothly and keep pace with the flow of vehicles. This can be especially helpful when navigating intersections or shared roads.

Maintain Momentum: Effortlessly conquer hills and maintain a consistent speed, even on inclines. This helps you stay in control and avoid being overtaken by faster-moving vehicles. And your legs don't get tired doing it.

Increased Awareness: The extra power of an EBike allows you to focus more on your surroundings and less on strenuous pedaling. Without worrying about your legs giving out, this heightened awareness helps you react quickly to changing traffic conditions.

Pass with Confidence: Need to overtake a slower vehicle or obstacle? An electric bicycle gives you the boost you need to make safe and efficient passes.

Reduced Fatigue: Arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and energized. EBikes take the strain out of long rides, so you can focus on enjoying the journey and navigating safely.

Confidence in Safety: Essential tips when riding your Ebike:

Stay Visible: Wear bright clothing and use lights, especially in low-light conditions.
Be Predictable: Signal your intentions clearly and follow traffic laws.
Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and anticipate potential hazards.
Use Your Helmet: Always wear a helmet for protection in case of an accident.
Control Your Speed: Adjust your speed to the conditions and be mindful of pedestrians.

At EbikeCityzen.com, we believe Ebikes have the power to transform the way we travel. By combining the joy of cycling with the convenience of electric power, EBikes offer a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Ebikes give you the confidence to feel more in control and the power to find new routes.

With Google Maps as your guide and our safety tips in mind, you can confidently explore your city, commute to work, run errands, reduce your carbon footprint, and experience the thrill of EBiking without compromising your safety.

Ready to take the leap? Check out our wide selection of EBikes at www.EbikeCityZen.com and find the perfect ride to match your lifestyle and boost your electric bike riding confidence.

As always, EbikeCityZen is here to help you personally. Simply call or text 773-234-1556 to speak directly to our owner, or use the chat feature on our website. We are your resource for Ebike knowledge.

Happy EBiking!