E-bikes get ABS brakes for added stopping power

Every new motorbike in the UK must be fitted with ABS brakes - technology that's now being fitted to e-bikes.

The bigger and heavier e-bikes become, the harder disc brakes have to work. And as calls grow for bigger e-bike motors, manufacturers are focussing making their cycles stop as quickly as they go. Bosch claims the addition of ABS system could help prevent 29 per cent of e-bike crashes.

When you grab a handful of brake lever, ABS uses speed sensors and accelerometers to release front brake pressure before the front wheel has a chance to lock - a action/reaction that takes less than a second. It can also help prevent crashes caused by the rear wheel lifting under hard braking.

Bosch ABS is an option on e-bikes using its electric motors, while the Shimano Blubrake system is also available as retrofit upgrade.

e-bikes ABS brakes: Marketing gimmick or valuable safety feature

According to the WHO, the rate of fatal crashes among motorcycles equipped with ABS is 37 per cent lower than those with conventional brakes. A major reason why motorcycle ABS is effective is motorcycle crashes allow only very short time for human pre-crash response. While e-bike speeds are far lower, weight distribution and rider inexperience can increase the likelihood of locking the front wheel in an emergency.

It will be interesting to see if ABS tech can address the increasing number of bicycle crashes in the Netherlands – a country that has seen sales of e-bikes soar over recent years, particularly among older riders.

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