Can You Leave an E-Bike Outside? Rain, Cold & Battery

Yes, you can keep an e-bike outside, and plenty of owners have no choice. An e-bike is built to be ridden in the rain. What it is not built for is standing wet for months, charging in the cold, or sitting unlocked. Here is what matters, in order.

Which BikeParka for your e-bike? E-hybrids, e-city and commuter e-bikes: STASH or URBAN · E-MTBs and wider handlebars: XL / MTB · Longtail e-bikes: Longtail, or Longtail WS with child seats fitted · Front-loader e-cargo bikes: Cargo · Not sure? Compare all covers or Find Your Fit by make and model.

1. Rain

A wet ride does an e-bike no harm. The damage comes from the bike never drying out: damp on the battery contacts and connectors, rust on the chain and cassette, water sitting in cable housings and around the disc brakes. Keeping rain off while the bike is parked prevents most of it. Two things to avoid whatever the weather: a pressure washer, and leaving the bike standing in water.

2. Cold and the battery

Cold does not hurt the frame or the motor, but batteries dislike it. Expect less range on a cold day. That is normal, and it comes back when the weather warms up. If the battery comes off, keep it indoors in freezing weather and fit it before you ride. Do not charge a battery that is still very cold: let it come up to room temperature first. Your manual gives the exact temperature range for charging and storage, and it is worth reading once.

3. Charging

Charge indoors where you can, with the charger that came with the bike. Never charge under a cover.

4. Theft

An e-bike is worth more than most bikes, and thieves know it. Lock the frame to something fixed with a quality D-lock, and take the battery and display with you if they come off. There is more on what actually stops overnight theft. On the URBAN, Longtail, Longtail WS and Cargo covers the lock passes through the cover and around the bike, so the cover stays put as well.

5. Cover it

A fitted waterproof cover keeps the battery contacts, display, motor and drivetrain dry for the hours the bike is parked. Choose by the shape of the bike, not the motor: the e-bike cover guide has the sizes, or search your model in Find Your Fit. Longtail and cargo e-bikes are in the longtail cover guide and the cargo, longtail and trike fit guide. Give the bike a few minutes to drip before you cover it.

E-bike covers · Bike covers for outdoor storage · All bike covers

E-bikes outside: common questions

Can you leave an e-bike outside in the rain?

For a ride or an afternoon, yes. E-bikes are built to be ridden in rain. Leaving one uncovered outside for weeks is what causes corroded contacts and a rusted drivetrain, so cover it when it is parked.

Can an e-bike stay outside in winter?

Yes. Keep rain and road salt off it with a cover, and if the battery is removable keep it indoors in freezing weather. Expect less range on cold days.

Should I take the battery off an e-bike stored outside?

If it is removable, yes in freezing weather and whenever you charge it. It also makes the bike less attractive to thieves. Check your manual for the storage temperature range.

Can I charge an e-bike under a cover?

No. Take the cover off, or take the battery out and charge it indoors.

Can You Leave an E-Bike Outside? Rain, Cold and the Battery