Fix guide · Cleaning & care

One-Minute Safety Check Before Every Ride

Air, brakes, chain, battery, lights

Quick answer

Squeeze the tires, test both brakes, glance at the chain, check the battery is locked in and charged, and make sure the lights work. About one minute.

Try this first

Free, and each takes under 5 minutes.

  1. Air
  2. Brakes
  3. Chain

In plain English

A quick check before riding catches the problems most likely to cause a crash or a long walk home: a soft tire, weak brakes, or a battery that isn't locked in.

Watch how it's done

Video by Park Tool. It may show a regular bike: on an e-bike, switch off and remove the battery first, and unplug the motor cable before taking off a hub-motor wheel.

Step-by-step checklist

Work from the top. Steps go from free and easy to shop jobs. Switch the bike off before touching any connector. Tick each step as you go. Your progress is saved on this device.

Parts you might need

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These links go straight to Amazon.

Only buy a part if the free steps didn't fix it. Always match the voltage and connector type to your bike.

  • Floor pump with gauge

    Soft tires make the motor work harder and cost range.

    Link coming soon
  • Chain lube

    Keeps the chain quiet and stops wear. Use bike chain lube, not household oil.

    Link coming soon

Still not fixed?

Pages to try next:

When it's time for a shop: if you've worked through every step and the problem is still there, take the bike to an e-bike shop. Bring your notes on when it happens, plus the code.