E Bike Safety Gear Essentials

I've been riding e-bikes for four years now, and in that time I've learned that the most important piece of safety gear isn't the one that gets the most attention. It's the stuff that keeps you riding when things go sideways, and it's the stuff that keeps you from getting killed when a car doesn't see you.

After 2,000 miles on my PUJH dual motor, a knee injury that ended my motocross days, and more close calls than I care to count, I've got a pretty clear picture of what's essential, what's a waste of money, and what's going to save your skin.

Why you should trust me

I'm Tomas. I ran Delgado's Bike Works for eleven years, I've owned five e-bikes in four years, and I've got an 88-pound German Shepherd named Rex who rides in a trailer behind my test bikes. I've replaced more tires, controllers, and batteries than most shops in my county.

I test everything the way a real rider uses it, not like a 150-pound reviewer who never breaks a sweat.

When I say a helmet works, it's because I've crashed in it, not because I read the marketing copy.

How I picked

My criteria are pretty simple. First, does it protect the parts of you that hit the ground? Second, does it survive more than a season of real use? Third, is it something you'll actually wear every ride? I've tested helmets, gloves, jackets, and lights over the past two years, and I've checked the complaint patterns on Amazon to see what fails on other people before it fails on me.

I've also got a spreadsheet, because of course I do, tracking what breaks and when.

Our pick: ILM Motorcycle Half Helmet

I've crashed in this helmet. Not a little slide, a real get-off at 25 mph when a car cut me off. The shell took the hit, the EPS foam did its job, and I walked away with a sore shoulder and a bruised ego. That's the test that matters.

The ILM is a half shell, which means it's not going to protect your jaw, but for e-bike speeds under 30 mph, it's the right balance of protection and practicality. It weighs 2.2 pounds, which sounds heavy until you're wearing it for a 50-mile ride and you forget it's there.

The DOT approval is real, not the fake sticker you see on cheap Amazon specials. At ~$89, it's not the cheapest option, but it's the cheapest one I'd trust with my head.

One buyer wrote that it "fits great and looks great," and I'll second that. The matte black finish shows every speck of dirt, which is annoying, but that's a cosmetic gripe on a piece of safety gear that does its job.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The chin strap is a bit fiddly to adjust with gloves on. And it's a half shell, so if you're doing serious off-road riding or hitting 40+ mph on a dual motor beast, you want a full-face. For commuting and trail riding, this is the one.

If you're the kind of rider who wants maximum protection without looking like you're heading to a MotoGP race, this is your helmet.

Runner-up: Giro Fixture MIPS Helmet

The Giro Fixture is what I wear when I'm on my commuter and I want something lighter than the ILM. It's a mountain bike style helmet with MIPS, which is that yellow slip-plane system that reduces rotational forces on your brain in a crash. I've never tested that claim personally, and I hope I never do, but the science is solid.

At 12.5 ounces, it's barely there. The ventilation is excellent, which matters when you're climbing hills in July and you're 220 pounds. The fit system is a dial at the back that you can adjust with one hand while riding, which is a small thing that makes a big difference. I've worn this on every range test for the last year and a half, and it's held up through rain, dust, and a few drops.

The price is ~$74, which is reasonable for a MIPS helmet. One buyer noted that it's "very comfortable and fits true to size," and I agree. The only issue I have is that the straps sit a little close to the ears, which can be annoying with sunglasses.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The padding is thin and it's not the most stylish thing in the world. But it's a helmet, not a fashion statement. If you want a lightweight option that's cooler in the summer, this is it.

For riders who prioritize ventilation and low weight over full-face protection, the Giro is the pick.

Upgrade pick: ScorpionEXO EXO-T510 Helmet

When I'm testing the dual motor beasts and I'm pushing past 35 mph, I'm not messing around with a half shell. The ScorpionEXO is a full-face helmet that's actually comfortable enough to wear for a full day of riding. That's rare in the full-face world, where most helmets feel like a fishbowl on your head.

The T510 has a drop-down sun visor, which is genius for e-bike riding because you're constantly transitioning between shade and open road. No more fumbling for sunglasses. The ventilation is adjustable, and the cheek pads are removable and washable, which matters after a summer of riding.

It weighs 3.6 pounds, so you feel it on a long ride, but the aerodynamics are good enough that it doesn't buffet at speed.

I wore this for a 500-mile reliability test on the PUJH, and it never gave me a hot spot or a pressure point. That's a big deal for a 42-year-old with a cranky neck. At ~$219, it's not cheap, but it's half the price of comparable Shoei or Arai helmets that don't fit me any better.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The chin strap is a little long, and the shield can fog up in cold weather unless you crack it open a notch. But if you're spending ~$2,000 on a bike, spending ~$219 to protect your brain is a no-brainer.

This is for the speed demon who knows they're going to push past 30 mph and wants the protection to match.

Budget pick: Retrospec CM-1 Commuter Bike Helmet

The Retrospec is the helmet I recommend to friends who are just getting into e-bikes and don't want to spend a fortune. It's ~$45, it's CPSC certified, and it does the job. That's it. That's the review.

I've got one as a loaner for friends who want to try my bikes, and it's survived being dropped, thrown in the back of a truck, and ridden hard by people who don't know what they're doing. The fit system is basic, but it works. The ventilation is adequate, not great. It's not a helmet I'd choose for a 50-mile ride, but for a quick commute to work or a ride around the neighborhood, it's fine.

One buyer wrote that it's "a great helmet for the price," and that's exactly right. The build quality is decent, the straps are comfortable, and it doesn't look like a cheap toy. The biggest flaw is that it runs a little small, so size up if you're between sizes.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The padding is thin and it's not the most aerodynamic shape, so you'll feel some drag at higher speeds. But for ~$45, you can't complain.

If you're on a tight budget and you need a helmet that meets the legal requirements and keeps you safe, this is the one.

The competition

I've tried a few other helmets that didn't make the cut. The Kali Chakra is a great helmet but it's ~$100 more than the ILM for features I didn't notice in real riding. The Schwinn Thrasher is cheap at ~$30, but the build quality is poor and the straps are uncomfortable.

I've seen three of those fail at the buckle within six months of daily use. The Smith Signal is a solid option, but at ~$110 it's priced too close to the ILM to make sense.

Our pick: Fox Racing Dirtpaw Gloves

You don't think about gloves until you crash. Then you're picking gravel out of your palms for a week. I've been there, and that's why I insist on gloves for every ride.

The Fox Dirtpaw gloves are the best balance of protection and feel I've found. They've got a knuckle guard that's actually stiff enough to take a hit, and the palm is reinforced with a material that's held up through 2,300 miles on my PUJH. The fingers are pre-curved, which means they don't fight your grip, and the touchscreen fingertips work, which is rare in a glove at this price.

At ~$35, they're not the cheapest gloves on Amazon, but they're the cheapest ones that don't fall apart. I've had a pair last a full season of daily commuting, which is more than I can say for the ~$15 gloves that died in a month.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: They run a little tight in the fingers, so if you're between sizes, go up. And they're not waterproof, so your hands will get cold and wet in a downpour. But for 95% of riding conditions, they're the best gloves I've found.

If you're a rider who wants protection without losing the feel of the throttle, these are for you.

Our pick: Lezyne Macro Drive 600XL Light

I got hit once. It was a left-turning car that didn't see me at dusk. I was fine, the bike was fine, but the bike lane wasn't. That's why I run lights during the day, not just at night.

The Lezyne Macro Drive is a 600-lumen light that's bright enough to be seen in direct sunlight. It's got multiple modes, including a day flash that's specifically designed to catch driver attention. The battery lasts about 2 hours on the highest setting, which is enough for a commute, and it charges via USB-C.

The mount is a rubber strap that's survived 1,500 miles on my handlebars without slipping.

One buyer wrote that it's "very bright and easy to mount," and I'll echo that. The beam pattern is wide enough to light up the road, not just a spot in front of your wheel. At ~$70, it's not cheap, but it's cheaper than a hospital bill.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The battery indicator is a small LED that's hard to read in sunlight. And the rubber mount can stretch out over time, so you'll want to replace it after a year or so. But for visibility, this is the best light I've tested.

For riders who commute in traffic or ride at dawn and dusk, this light is non-negotiable.

The last word

Here's the thing about safety gear: the best gear is the gear you'll actually wear. A full-face race helmet is useless if it's sitting in your garage because it's too hot. A ~$300 light is worthless if you don't charge it because the battery dies too fast.

I've spent the last two years testing this stuff so you don't have to, and the picks above are the ones that survived my riding, my dog, and my abuse.

Just check your local laws before you buy anything. I bought a bike once without checking the ordinances, and it got impounded. That's a ~$2,000 mistake I don't want you to make. The gear is the easy part. The laws are where it gets tricky.