Safety

Anti-theft stickers

You can put a sticker on your bike and register it with Bike Index. If your bike gets stolen, you can notify Bike Index, and potential buyers will be able to figure out that the bike was stolen and should be returned to you.

Guidelines for borrowing an e-bike

Wear a helmet. If you don’t have a helmet, we’ll be happy to lend you one.
Be visible. Our e-bikes have integrated lights, but we also recommend wearing light-colored or reflective clothing.
Watch for cars. If you ride in the bike lane, watch for opening car doors and drivers making right turns. Virginia law allows cyclists to ride in the road. You can also borrow a bike horn to get drivers' attention.
Start slow. If you’re not used to riding an e-bike, take some time to get used to the pedal assist, throttle, gear shift, and brakes in a safe place before venturing to busier or faster roads.
Do a safety check. We check each e-bike before lending it out, but we recommend squeezing the brake levers to check the brakes before each ride.
Follow charging instructions. Charge e-bike batteries as directed, and don’t overcharge or charge batteries unattended.
Stick to paved paths. Our e-bikes are meant for riding on paved roads. We don’t recommend taking our bikes off-road, but if you do, ride cautiously. Be sure to allow extra braking distance if you ride during or after rain, and don’t ride on wet leaves.