Are Electric Bikes Waterproof? Can Electric Bikes Get Wet? 

Electric bikes are great for commuting daily to your workplace, school, or anywhere you need to get to. They’re reliable, safe, and fast, which makes for a comfortable riding experience. 

However, we all know electricity and water don’t mix. So you might be wondering, are electric bikes waterproof, and can they get wet? 

Technically, electric bikes are not waterproof. That’s because they can’t be deeply submerged in water. But, they are water-resistance enough to handle most rainy conditions, even sometimes downpours. That means, like a traditional bike, they can get wet and still function properly. 

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you should know about riding an electric bike in the rain so you keep your prized possession in pristine condition. 

Can You Ride Electric Bikes in the Rain?

There is no doubt that eBikes can be ridden in sunny or warm weather. Electric bikes are specifically designed for mountains, hills, or adventures on busy streets. However, they’re also likely to withstand the rain. 

It might seem that electric bikes shouldn’t be used in the rain, but that’s not the case. You can ride them in mostly the same conditions as traditional bikes. Still, you should avoid diving headlong into a pool of water. It’s also not a good idea to use electric bikes for mudding. Most e-bikes have a degree of water resistance, but they’re not waterproof. 

Like standard bikes, electric bikes can get wet, but you’ll have to make sure to dry out the electrical parts properly. The battery and drivetrain are the most important parts to keep dry. If those components get wet, it could damage your bicycle or cause an electric shock. 

A small amount of rain won’t harm your bike. However, if it’s a torrential downpour or to the point where water is flooding the ground, you should consider stopping and taking shelter. Make sure to keep the bike powered off and keep it dry. You can even push or pedal it without having to power it on. 

If an e-bike is turned on and gets wet, it’s more likely to be damaged. However, if the motor is damp inside but isn’t on, you can dry it off and possibly have it work again. 

IP Ratings

An IP code (International Protection Code) specifies the quality standard for mechanical casings and electrical enclosures. It is used to classify and rate the level of protection that a product has against intrusion. An IP rating protects electrical enclosures against water, dust, and accidental contact.

You’ve probably seen IP ratings on consumer products. Sony and Samsung introduced water-resistant smartphones to the market. Consumer electronics are not the only products using this global standard. Electric bikes have IP ratings that indicate their level of water resistance and dust protection. 

Here’s a chart that represents the various levels of waterproof and dust protection. 

1st Number	Dust	2nd Number	Water
0	No protection	0	No protection
1	Protected against objects that are 55mm or greater	1	Protected against vertically falling water drops
2	12.5mm and greater	2	Water drops when tilted up to 15 degrees
3	2.5mm and greater	3	Spraying water
4	1mm and greater	4	Splashing water
5	Dust-protected	5	Water jets
6	Dust-tight	6	Temporary immersion in water
		7	Temporary immersion in water
		8	Continuous immersion in water
		9	High-pressure and temperature water jets

IP65 ratings are very common, which is why you may have heard of them. As an example, an IP65 battery would be dust-tight and protected from water jets. It’s okay to use water jets for washing, but they shouldn’t be submerged in water, even temporarily. Some electric bikes are IP54-rated, meaning they can hold up to puddles, splashes, and even light rain. 

Always check your electric bike’s IP rating. It should be found on the packaging and made available before your purchase. If a manufacturer doesn’t have an IP rating, you may want to stay clear from riding in the rain. Of course, most e-bikes offer some water-resistance protection. 

What Happens If An E-Bike Gets Wet? 

Getting your electric bike’s battery wet can cause it to short-circuit and damage it. Wet motors could short out and damage internal components. Both of these can be expensive to repair or replace.

Most electric bikes that come pre-built have secure enclosures for the motor and battery. Mid-drive motors are usually built into the middle of the bike and safely enclosed. Those who have an Ebike conversion kit or a bike with a rear or front hub motor are more likely to be at risk.

Since the electric parts of the e-bike are well-enclosed, it should be protected from rain and splashes. If your e-bike doesn’t turn on after a torrential downpour, leave it in a dry and warm place for a day before attempting to turn it back on. 

How to Ride Your E-Bike in the Rain 

Riding in the rain is sometimes unavoidable, especially if it arrives suddenly or if you commute daily. It’s best to prepare ahead of time by purchasing the necessary protection equipment and knowing how to ride safely. Doing so will keep you and your bike safe, even when riding in the rain. Most of the steps of riding in the rain on a traditional bike apply to an e-bike, so it shouldn’t be a huge adjustment for those of you who are new to electric bicycles. 

Slow Down 

If the road is too slippery, always slow down! While slamming through puddles on the sidewalk and street can be fun, it’s safer to slow down to avoid accidents and gives yourself more time to brake. Also, opt for e-bikes with disc brakes rather than rim brakes since they perform much better in wet conditions. 

While electric bikes function similarly to traditional bikes, they’re a lot heavier. Therefore, you should avoid leaning too much as you make turns. That means you can easily fly off your bike or twist out of control on tight corners if you lean too heavily to one side. Instead, apply your brakes slowly, so your tires maintain traction and your bike is balanced throughout every turn. 

The weather conditions can make it more difficult for bikes to stop completely, much like driving a car in wet weather. Even if you have disc brakes, it’s still important that you brake earlier than usual when riding your electric bike in the rain. This also helps to avoid hydroplaning. 

Wear Weatherproof Clothes 

You will find it challenging to ride in the rain because your clothing becomes soaked very quickly. As a result, you should wear clothing that keeps you dry and warm. 

If you plan to ride in the rain, you should have a light raincoat or jacket with water resistance, as well as sunglasses to help with your vision. Avoid wearing cotton while riding in the rain. For better, safer performance in the rain, choose synthetic or wool garments. Additionally, gloves may be a good idea for keeping your hands dry while gripping the handlebars. 

Use Headlights 

The use of head and tail lights becomes even more critical when riding during times of low visibility. You’ll be sharing the road with all types of vehicles, some of which make it hard to view cyclists on the road. 

Use blinking head and tail lights on either your helmet or handlebars to make yourself as visible as possible to other drivers. Make e-bikes come with reflectors, which should be installed. A reflector, however, doesn’t replace a front and rear light.

Look for Slick Spots 

Rain can cause unexpected slick spots due to all the dirt and oil that haven’t been washed away. As a result, your ride can become highly unpredictable, especially if you’re not aware. Avoid going through standing water or puddles, especially if they’re colored, meaning that there’s lubricant or gas in them. 

Use a Frame Protector Spray

Your e-bike frame also needs as much protection as the small metal components. Apply a frame protector spray for a reliable defense against moisture and air. The benefit of using a frame protector spray is that it seeps into the small opening on the frame and creates a rust-proof coat. 

Other components like the head tube, handlebar, seat tube, and bottom brakes also benefit from the protector spray. It takes a few seconds to spray down your bike, and its effects are long-lasting. This means you won’t have to worry about your e-bike rusting from getting wet. 

Apply Bike Fenders or Mudguards 

A fender, also called a mudguard, is a device that connects to the front and rear fenders of your bicycle. This helps to prevent water, mud, rocks, grit, and other debris from being kicked up onto your ties while cycling. Consider getting full coverage mudguards which protect the entire body from spray, mud, and dirt during your ride. It does so by deflecting away these elements away from the bike and your body. 

These are a necessity for commuters who ride their e-bike in all weather conditions. It prevents damage to your bike’s frame and components by not allowing the debris to get lodged into its moving parts. 

There are many types of fenders depending on the level of protection you want. Each varies in terms of cost, ease of installation, and protection. The full-length fenders with a frame and fork mount tend to provide the most protection. 

You should choose this if you’re looking for maximum protection from water and dirt. These fenders are shaped like tires so that the dirt or water is deflected off the fenders as soon as they take off from the ground. 

Plastic and metal are the most common materials used in bike fenders. Typically, bike fenders these days are made from polycarbonate plastic, which is extremely flexible yet durable and mounts more easily than metal ones. Over bumpy terrain, however, the struts can rub or jostle because they aren’t as stiff as metal fenders. 

Fenders made of metal are stiffer and have less vibration than those made of plastic. Although they can be more difficult to install and heavier than plastic, they tend to last longer. 

Lastly, look for fenders with adjustable fittings and structs, which will allow the fenders to be attached as close to the wheel as possible. Having quick-release clip-on models allows you to flip open the guard and remove the debris that gets stuck in the gap. 

Wrap a Plastic Bag Around the Electronic Display 

Your e-bike’s electronic display isn’t waterproof. Just like how you wouldn’t want to keep your laptop out in the rain, the same applies to your electronic display. While you might not experience problems riding it during light showers, it’s best to place a cover or small plastic bag around the display, especially for downpours. 

The displays may not function properly if the electrical components are exposed to water. All you need to do is place a plastic bag over the display and use a rubber band to secure it in place. Ensure that the bag doesn’t have holds that could leak and is large enough to cover the entire display. Also, the bag should be transparent enough, so you can read the information.

For a better solution, consider purchasing bike screen covers, which act similar to a phone cover. It shields the screen from water to prevent damage and lets you easily view the information on the screen. 

Transporting E-Bikes in the Rain 

Most e-bikes offer some level of water resistance, so transporting them won’t pose too many problems. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Here are a few tips to help you transport your electric bike around: 

• If you have a car, try to store the electric bike in your vehicle during transport so it stays dry. 
• Use a waterproof cover that’s large enough to cover the e-bike, especially if it features a low IP rating. 
• Use velcro straps to keep the bike cover secure around sensitive components on the handlebars or neck of the bicycle. 
• Power down the bike and keep the battery in a dry place. 
• If you’re pushing or pedaling the bike without power, be careful not to ride on salted roads, where the salt can be kicked up in the e-bike’s internals. 

What to Do After Your Electric Bike Gets Wet

Whether your e-bike has a high IP rating or not, you always want to take precautions to maintain your bike and keep it running smoothly. E-bikes, like traditional bikes, require routine maintenance, and heavy rain can cause rusting or clogging depending on the amount of mud and debrief that enter inside. 

If your electric bike gets wet, you’ll want to take some precautionary steps to keep your bike safe and ready to go for your next ride. 

Drain the Bike 

Although the battery and the motor may be in a water-resistant housing, the rest of your bicycle isn’t. Moisture can cause rust in many parts of your electric bike. The first thing you’ll want to do is to take the seat and seat post off your bike and turn it upside down. Then let it drain for four hours before putting the components back on. 

Clean Your E-Bike 

Rain debrief, mud, and dust can turn into crud that will wear down your bike. Mud, trash, leaves, rocks, and other debris can get tangled into your chain, wheels, and other components of your e-bike. It’s not only unsightly but causes major problems with the bearings and causes rust. Thus, it’s vital that you clean your e-bike after you’ve ridden in the rain. 

You can easily use a bucket of warm, soapy water with a small brush or soft cloth to clean your bike. Hosing your water, especially on non-electric parts, is completely fine and necessary for preventing corrosion. 

The crud on the road can easily deteriorate the brake pads and rims over time. Make sure to clean the rims as well. If you don’t, the brakes may wear out and not work efficiently anymore. 

Lube the Cables and the Chain 

Your chain is one of the most vulnerable parts of your e-bike to rain and water. Rust will form on your chain if it is left wet for an extended period of time. The bike chain is on the outside and tends to catch a lot of cruds. Road debris, water, and mud can cause deterioration on the chain. There are a lot of problems that can arise from a rusted chain. This will, for example, cause your drivetrain to wear out pretty quickly.

The chain is also in danger of snapping while riding, which can leave your bike in need of repair. You could knee your stem at the very least, but at the worst, you could fall off your bike and into traffic.

If you maintain your e-bike regularly and dry your chain off after wet rides, you’ll minimize the damage rain and water can cause. Don’t wait days or even weeks to clean it after a ride. By doing so, you will only destroy your investment.

Once you’ve drained the bike, lube the chain with quality lubricant to prevent a rusty chain. Turn the e-bike upside down; you can work on the wheels freely. Backpedal the wheels at the same time, so you can drip lubricant onto every link of the chain. Make sure to keep a towel underneath the bike to catch all of the excess lubricants. 

Use a Bike Cover 

Covers are used on all types of vehicles, such as cars, RVs, and even motorcycles. Bike covers work the same way and protects your e-bike from rain, snow, and other inclement weather conditions. If you have to park your e-bike outside, always place a bike cover to protect the electric bike from the rain. 

Conclusion 

Electric bikes tend to hold up well against rain. Most electric bikes have at least an IPX4 rating, meaning they can handle splashing water but not submersion in water. 

With that said, your electric bike can still be sensitive to water, whether it’s damaged electrical parts or rust on metal components. That means you have to properly take the same precautions, such as applying fenders, putting a bike cover when not in use, and cleaning your bike after riding in the rain. 

We’ve hoped you found our guide helpful. If it’s your first time buying an e-bike, you now know how to handle riding in rainy conditions.