How to Cross a River with an eBike
Crossing with an eBike presents its own challenges. Water and electricity do not mix so it is imperative that submersion does not happen. The LCD display unit, battery and the motor are all at risk. An eBike with no power becomes a very heavy pushbike and isn’t a lot of fun.
Never be afraid of turning back if the river looks too dangerous, difficult or daunting. It is not just about the bike, it is also about your life.
Assessing the river. A few bike specific considerations
There are plenty of excellent resources on the web for general river crossing. You need to adhere to all the advice of regular crossing dangers, as well as factor in the impact of getting a bike across the river. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council is a good starting point for general river crossing principles.
Before any river crossing make sure you stop and assess the river conditions first. There are a number of issues you should consider before attempting a crossing.
First some physics. The impact of moving water against a bike will generate significant force. Bear in mind that a cubic meter of water (1m x 1m x 1m) weighs one tonne. The forces generated by moving water on a wide static object like a bike become considerable. Even relatively shallow water flowing rapidly enough can cause you to lose your balance, drop your bike and get dragged downstream.
Remain sceptical. Where the bike trail meets the river is not always the best place to get to the other bank. Rivers are dynamic and flood and reform in different areas and with different shapes. A recent flood may have gouged out holes, while long periods without rain may have increased the growth of slippery algae on rock surfaces. Don’t assume you know the crossing just because you’ve been through before (conditions change). Check potential crossing conditions both upstream and downstream to seek the safest crossing.
Look for braids. A good crossing point is where the river separates into separate braids or channels. Braids occur where the river has spread out and the force of the water has been divided into smaller components and so that banks and islands appear. These are perfect places for crossing and also provide resting areas!
Find areas that are shallow, wide and straight. Water always looks shallower than it is. The widest part of the river is frequently the shallowest. In straight segments you don’t usually get the type of deep trenches that form on bends.
River speed is important. Throw a branch into the water if you are unsure of its speed. If the branch is moving faster than you can walk, then seek a different crossing point. As a general rule assume the water is running faster than you think. Remember your physics, the force on your bike increases with water speed (force equals mass * acceleration).
If the river is in flood then just don’t attempt a crossing. Flooded water is unpredictable. Is the level still rising? How fast is the water flowing? Is it discoloured? Is it flowing at different rates in different parts of the crossing? What objects have been washed down and are now submerged? If you can spot logs and branches floating down or hear rocks rumbling along the riverbed then it is time to turn back.
Consider the riverbed. Are there any large rocks? Are the stones slippery? Is the surface firm or soft and sticky? Often it is easiest to do an initial walk through the crossing (without a bike) checking the bed for mud, sand, clay, submerged rocks, slime, logs and deep holes. Carrying a bike creates extra instability so understanding the solidity of the ground is important.
Check your ingress and egress. Lifting a bike up a steep bank can be difficult.
How to cross
You have chosen your crossing point and pre-walked the crossing. You have decided that you can get across the river but will have to carry your bike -now what do you do?
Switch off your bike. The last thing you need is the motor starting mid-stream. Water can turn the pedals and activate the pedal-assist, or you might accidentally grab the throttle (if you have one). Water and electricity don’t mix. Water entering a live circuit is likely to create more damage by shorting the equipment than when it is turned off – though both are obviously bad.
Use two people. This provides much greater stability and safety. An eBike is heavy and can weigh well over 20 kg and can reach to over 30 kg if you are carrying bikepacking gear. Both people should be upstream of the bike. If the wheels touch the water then the friction will force the bike away from the carriers and not into them. This is makes handling the bike much easier.
Find good lifting holds. Try to avoid lifting by the wheels as these are the part of the bike most likely.
to be in the water and may try to spin.
Lift! When lifting the bike standard lifting dynamics apply, the bike is very heavy. Bend your knees and have a straight back. Pay particular attention that you don’t accidentally grab or snag any cables.
Keep strong contact to the river bed. The more contact you have with the bottom of the river, the safer and more stable you will be. Your body should be side-on to the current and you should move slightly downstream toward the opposite shore, this reduces friction as you walk.
How to cross if it is rideable
You have inspected the river and decided that:
- the river level is shallow and does not reach the motor;
- there are good entry and exit points that you can easily navigate without stopping; and
- the bottom of the river is clearly visible.
Under these conditions then it is full steam ahead. Activate your highest power mode – e.g. TURBO/Boost (this provides maximum control). Then keeping away from large rocks and boggy areas that may stop your momentum, pedal your way through creating as little splash as possible.