Clothing

Dressing for an assisted commute

E-bike riding sits awkwardly between cycling and commuting. You arrive faster and sweat less than on an ordinary bike, so full cycling kit is often overkill, but you are still outside in British weather at 15mph.

What that changes

• You will be colder than you expect. Less effort means less body heat, so hands and face need more than they would on a normal ride
• Windproofing beats insulation at assisted speeds
• Visibility matters more because you are moving faster than drivers judge a bicycle to be moving
• Waterproof gloves are the single most improving purchase for winter riding

Practical over technical

Most e-bike journeys end somewhere you have to look normal. Clothing that works over ordinary clothes, rather than replacing them, tends to get used more than dedicated kit that needs a change at the other end.