Anti-lock braking systems
In truth the idea of anti- lock braking systems for electric bikes surfaced as far back as the summer of 2017, at the time in the form of a clunky Bosch- branded cube tucked under the handlebar of a demo bike. In partnership with its majority- owned Magura braking label, the e- bike systems giant demonstrated a proof of concept. We tried it on multiple surfaces from gravel to wet conditions and, perhaps for the first time ever, we really struggled to crash a bike.
Let’s be honest, sliding out on gravel is no fun at all. The rash gained if you floor it can be enough to put you off two wheels for a good while and with a little extra weight and propulsion behind your efforts on an e- bike, the risk is amplified if you are forced to come to a sudden stop.
While Bosch has shrunk its system into the background of its developments for the time being, Italian firm Blubrake has streamlined an existing system that it says is perfectly adequate to be used on speed pedelecs – that’s electric bikes with a top assisted limit of 28mph rather than 15.5mph. They’re not common in the UK as, legally speaking, they are classed as a moped thanks to the extra propulsion. That means a licence, insurance and a decent helmet is needed, as well as a registration plate, alongside an annual MOT of sorts. Most of us got into bikes to avoid that kind of thing.
Not to digress too far, the Blubrake system utilises clever software algorithms paired with speed sensors to judge the braking input, never allowing it to go so far as to lock the brakes. That means regardless of your speed, the terrain or the topography, the automatic braking will stop you from going head over handlebars; or at least if you do you won’t be able to blame the bike any longer.
The best bit about systems like Blubrake’s? Unless you’re looking at the spec sheet of a bike before you buy it, you may not even know on first glance the feature exists. Granted, for now it will likely remain a premium ‘all in’ bonus on selected bikes, but if safety is paramount to you and money therefore less of an object it may not be too long before you can easily find an electric bike with ABS.
A final note: Shimano has a patent relating to ABS that has, at the time of writing, yet to break cover as a real world product.