The right e-bike accessories turn an electric bike from a bare machine into a practical, safe daily ride. UK riding means rain, dark evenings and potholes, and an e-bike is both heavier and worth more than a pushbike, so the kit you add matters more than it would on an ordinary bicycle.
This guide covers the electric bike accessories worth buying, in the order we would buy them: security, lights, helmet, visibility and wet-weather clothing, then tyres, storage and maintenance. Every pick links to our full write-up with specs, pros and cons. If you are not certain your bike meets the UK EAPC rules, start with our UK e-bike law guide, because what counts as road legal decides where you can ride and what kit you are obliged to fit.
Our e-bike accessory picks at a glance
| Accessory | Our pick | Why it earns a place |
|---|---|---|
| Lock | Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 | Sold Secure Gold D-lock with a 13mm hardened shackle and a 4ft cable for the wheels |
| Lights | Ascher USB rechargeable light set | Front and rear set, IPX4, tool-free straps, the cheapest way to be legal after dark |
| Helmet | Bern Hudson MIPS | Certified to NTA 8776 as well as EN 1078, with MIPS and a rechargeable rear light, 370g |
| Helmet, alternative | Smith Dispatch MIPS | NTA 8776 and EN 1078, MIPS plus Koroyd, magnetic buckle |
| Hi-vis | BTR hi vis reflective gilet | Half fluorescent, half reflective, layers over anything all year |
| Waterproof jacket | Altura Nightvision Storm | Fully taped seams and reflective detailing across the body |
| Overtrousers | Endura Hummvee Transit | Seam-sealed, pulls on over shoes and normal trousers |
| Winter gloves | GripGrab RIDE waterproof gloves | Waterproof membrane, fleece lining and gel padding |
| Pump | GPUTEK electric pump | Set a pressure and it stops on its own, 345g, fits Presta, Schrader and Dunlop |
| Frame bag | Lamicall waterproof frame bag | 1.3 litre top-tube bag with a touchscreen window and rain cover |
Must-have e-bike accessories: start with these three
If the budget only stretches to three things, make them a lock, lights and a helmet. Everything else on this page makes riding nicer. These three decide whether you still have a bike, and whether you are legal and protected on it.
A lock that matches what the bike is worth
E-bikes are a prime theft target, and a cable lock on its own is cut in seconds. Look for a Sold Secure Gold rating at minimum, which many insurers also ask for, and lock the frame and a wheel to something fixed.
The Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 is our pick: a Sold Secure Gold D-lock with a 13mm hardened steel shackle and a double deadbolt, supplied with a 4ft KryptoFlex cable so the shackle takes the frame and rear wheel while the cable loops in the front. The mini shackle is deliberate, since less empty space inside the lock leaves less room for a pry bar, though it can be awkward around thicker posts.
Two habits matter as much as the lock. Take the battery and the display with you where they detach, and do not leave an e-bike locked in the same public spot overnight.
Lights, which are the law after dark
Riding in the dark in the UK you must have a white front light, a red rear light, a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors. Plenty of electric bikes ship with built-in lights wired to the main battery, so check what yours has before buying.
If it has none, the Ascher USB rechargeable light set covers front and rear for very little money. Each light has its own 650mAh battery, four modes and an IPX4 rating, and the silicone straps move between bikes without tools. Be realistic about what it is: a set of this kind makes you seen on lit streets. For unlit lanes, add a brighter front light you can actually see by, and keep the Ascher as a backup.
A helmet rated for e-bike speeds
Helmets are not a legal requirement on a road-legal EAPC, but higher average speeds make a good one worth the money. The standard to look for beyond the ordinary EN 1078 is NTA 8776, the Dutch speed-pedelec standard, tested at a higher impact speed with more coverage at the temples and rear of the head.
The Bern Hudson MIPS carries both standards, adds MIPS and a rechargeable rear light, and weighs 370g. The Smith Dispatch MIPS is the alternative, pairing MIPS with Koroyd and a one-handed magnetic buckle at 453g. Neither is a motorcycle helmet, which is what the law requires if your bike falls outside the EAPC limits. Our e-bike helmet guide goes through the standards in detail.
Visibility and wet-weather kit
Assisted speeds close the gap to traffic faster than drivers expect from a bicycle, so being seen matters more on an e-bike. Staying dry is what keeps you riding from October to March.
- Hi-vis layer. The BTR hi vis reflective gilet is half fluorescent yellow for daylight and half silver reflective for headlights. As a gilet it goes over a t-shirt in summer and a waterproof in winter, so it gets worn all year.
- Waterproof jacket. The Altura Nightvision Storm has fully taped seams, so it is waterproof and not just showerproof, with reflective detailing spread across the body.
- Overtrousers. A jacket alone leaves you sitting in wet trousers. The Endura Hummvee Transit is seam-sealed and has wide adjustable leg openings that go on over shoes.
- Winter gloves. Wind chill arrives sooner at e-bike speeds. The GripGrab RIDE waterproof gloves combine a waterproof membrane with a fleece lining and gel padding at the pressure points.
- Mudguards. If your bike came without them, a full-length set does more for comfort in a British winter than any jacket, and keeps road grit off the drivetrain and motor casing. Check the clearance for your tyre width before ordering, as fat-tyre e-bikes need wider guards.
Tyres, pump and puncture kit
Tyre pressure matters more on an electric bike than on a pushbike. The bike is heavier, soft tyres drag on the motor and cost you range, and a rear puncture on a hub-motor bike is a slower roadside repair because the wheel has a motor cable attached.
- Pump. The GPUTEK electric pump lets you set a pressure and walk away, shutting off when it gets there. It takes a 27.5 x 2.2in mountain bike tyre from flat to 38 PSI in roughly 1 minute 45, manages about nine such tyres per charge, weighs 345g and includes Presta, Schrader and Dunlop adapters. It will not seat a stubborn tubeless tyre, which still needs a track pump.
- Spare tube and tyre levers. Carry a tube in your exact size. Fat-tyre and 20-inch folding e-bikes use sizes a passing cyclist will not have.
- Multi-tool. One with the hex and Torx sizes your bike uses, plus a spanner if a hub-motor axle is held by nuts and not a quick release.
- Sealant or puncture-resistant tyres. Worth considering on a hub-drive commuter, where avoiding the puncture is far easier than fixing it.
Storage, bags and phone mounts
- Frame bag. The Lamicall waterproof frame bag is a 1.3 litre rigid top-tube bag that holds a phone from 4.7 to 7 inches under a touchscreen window, with a rain cover and a quick-release bracket. It keeps a phone, wallet and keys dry and in reach, and doubles as a navigation mount.
- Panniers and a rack. For commuting, a rear rack and panniers carry far more than a backpack and keep your back dry. Check the rack's weight limit, and on a bike with a rack-mounted battery, check the pannier hooks fit around it.
- Phone mount. If you would rather have the phone on the bars, choose a mount with a mechanical lock and vibration damping. Check where your display and controls sit first, as e-bike handlebars are often crowded.
- Battery bag. If you carry the battery indoors to charge, a padded bag protects it from knocks. Do not leave a battery on the bike in freezing weather.
Comfort upgrades
A motor means more miles at a higher average speed, so contact points matter. Ergonomic grips ease pressure on the hands, a saddle that suits your riding position is worth more than extra padding, and a suspension seatpost takes the sting out of potholes on a rigid-frame commuter. A mirror is a cheap addition that many e-bike commuters come to rely on in traffic.
Electric bike gadgets worth considering
- A GPS tracker hidden in the frame or under the saddle will not stop a theft, but it gives you something to hand to the police.
- An alarm or alarmed disc lock adds noise as a deterrent alongside a D-lock, never instead of one.
- A second charger kept at work effectively doubles your commuting range.
How to choose accessories for an electric bike
- Buy security and lights first. They protect the bike and keep you legal. Everything else can wait a month.
- Match your riding. A daily commuter needs panniers, mudguards and waterproofs. A trail rider needs a pump, tube and multi-tool, and if you are still choosing the bike itself, see our best electric mountain bikes guide. Courier riders should put a second charger and puncture protection near the top of the list.
- Check the fit. E-bike frames, tyres and handlebars are often wider than standard, so check tube diameters, tyre widths and bar space before buying mounts, mudguards and bags.
- Mind the weight limit. Rider, luggage and accessories all count toward the bike's maximum load.
- Leave the electrics alone. Accessories that bolt on are fine. Anything that changes the motor's power or assisted speed can take the bike outside the EAPC rules.
If you have not bought the bike yet, our best electric bikes under £1,000 guide is the place to start, and you can browse everything we list in the accessories category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accessories do I need for an e-bike? At a minimum: a Sold Secure Gold lock, front and rear lights, and a helmet. After that add a pump and spare tube, mudguards, and a hi-vis layer, then panniers or a frame bag if you commute.
What are the must-have electric bike accessories for commuting? A D-lock, lights, mudguards, a waterproof jacket and overtrousers, and panniers or a rack bag. A portable pump and a spare tube in your tyre size cover the most likely breakdown.
Are bike lights a legal requirement on an e-bike in the UK? Yes. A road-legal e-bike is treated as a bicycle, so after dark it needs a white front light, a red rear light, a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors. Our UK e-bike law guide covers the EAPC rules that decide whether a bike is road legal in the first place.
What is the best lock for an electric bike? A Sold Secure Gold D-lock or chain at minimum, such as the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7. Check your insurance policy too, as some insurers specify a rating for bikes above a certain value.
Do I need a special helmet for an e-bike? Not by law on a road-legal EAPC, where a helmet is optional. A helmet certified to NTA 8776 is tested at a higher impact speed than a standard EN 1078 cycle helmet, which makes it a sensible choice at assisted speeds.
Do normal bike accessories fit an e-bike? Mostly, yes. The exceptions are parts that depend on frame, tyre or handlebar size: mudguards for fat tyres, racks around a rear battery, and mounts on crowded handlebars. Measure before you buy.
Do I need special tools for an e-bike? Standard bike tools cover most jobs. A pump, puncture kit and multi-tool handle the essentials, plus a spanner if your hub-motor wheel is held on by axle nuts. Leave motor and battery servicing to a dealer.
Ready to kit out your ride? Our picks are below.
