When it comes to their overall size, electric bikes aren’t too different from traditional, motorless bikes. However, no matter what type of bike you have, all bikes are big and can be difficult to store.

For many bikers, storing their bikes inside isn’t possible, but if you can store your bike inside then we recommend doing so.

But if you can’t store your bike inside, you’re probably wondering if it is alright to store it outside.

With proper care and maintenance, you can store your e-bike outside, but there are a few parts you will want to store inside to prevent them from being damaged.

While there are proper steps to take when storing your e-bike outside, you should always bring your e-bike battery inside for long term storage.

Most traditional e-bikes run on Lithium-Ion batteries, which are meant to be stored in a temperature ranging from 40°F to 70°F.

When stored in temperatures above or below this range, you could potentially damage the overall capacity of the battery, especially when it’s stored in an inadequate temperature range for a long time.

For long term storage, make sure you remove your e-bike battery from your bike and place it in a stable environment with a moderate temperature.

Now that your battery is taken care of, what do you do with the rest of the e-bike?

Before we answer that question, let’s take a look at why storing an e-bike outside for a long period of time isn’t a good idea.

Is it dangerous to leave your electric bike outside?

Water Damage

While e-bikes can handle the rain, they can be damaged by it if they’re sat in rain for long periods of time.

Plus, because you’ll be removing the battery, extra rain water can seep into the frame and damage the motor and battery compartment.

Keeping your e-bike dry is crucial for long-term storage.

UV Radiation

While overexposure to rain is a problem, so is the opposite too. Too much sunlight can degrade the e-bike’s structural integrity, overheat electrical components, and cause colors to fade.

Even if kept out of the sun’s direct rays, UV radiation will cause long term damage, even without direct sunlight contact.

Just like we can get a sunburn on a cloudy day, so too can an e-bike corrode even without constant exposure to the sun.

Possibility of Getting Stolen

The biggest danger of storing your e-bike outside is the threat of it getting stolen.

E-bikes are a lot more expensive than traditional bikes, which makes it more likely that thieves will try to steal them.

The fact that your bike is kept outside in plain sight of passers by and is not in your house emboldens thieves to try to steal it. 

To counteract these dangers, we recommend taking the below precautions when storing your e-bike outside.

Tips For Storing Your Electric Bike Inside

Find a Roof or Buy a Bike Cover

A simple roof or bike cover may not offer the same protection as storing it inside, but it’s fairly similar.

It will greatly reduce the UV radiation exposure, and the chances of water damage.

If you can find an outdoor roof or pavilion to put your e-bike under, or you have the time to properly cover your bike, you can avoid most of the risks of storing your e-bike outside.

Clean Your E-bike

For long-term storage, make sure you clean your e-bike before covering it.

Besides keeping your bike looking good, cleaning your bike prevents dirt, grime, and muck from building up and permanently attaching to your bike.

All you’ll need is a bucket of water, a rag, and some soap.

Pressure washers should be avoided, as they may damage some of the more sensitive components of the e-bike. The same goes for any powerful cleaning tools.

Invest In A Good Lock

A good lock is just as important as a cover. Some e-bikes have an internal locking mechanism that means you can’t pedal without a key or battery inserted.

But for most e-bikes you’ll need to invest in your own lock. While there are many types of locks available, we recommend using multiple locks for extra security and protection.

Where Should I Store My E-bike?

Whether you are storing your e-bike away for a few hours, over-night, or for the entire winter, it’s important to choose the right storage spot.

Storing your e-bike in the wrong places could lead to it getting damaged.

It is recommended to store your e-bike indoors, in cool, non-humid places. For long-term and outdoor storages, take out the battery and store it separately.

Leave it partly charged and recharge it every few months. If you’re storing your bike outdoors, cover it with a plastic cover.

Any place that has a lot of humidity is a bad place for storing an e-bike.

For example, if your basement is underground and is humid and moist, you should avoid storing your e-bike there, especially for long periods of time.

You should also avoid storing your e-bike anywhere that might get flooded.

If your garage is prone to flooding but you have nowhere else to store your e-bike, consider placing it on a high shelf or rack so it won’t sustain any water damage.

Frequent temperature changes or high temperatures are also not good for e-bikes. Instead, store it in a cool place. This is particularly important when it comes to the battery.

Heat is bad for your e-bike, so make sure to store your e-bike, or at least the battery in a room that has a constant temperature of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

However, you should also not store your e-bike or its battery anywhere too cold. Not only is heat bad for your bike, but extreme cold is too.

Storing your bike in a place that is anything below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) should always be avoided. Ideally, you should not store your bike in a place that is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.