Thunderstorms are not uncommon, especially in summer. If you are then out and about by bike or e-bike, you should keep an eye out for the “cauliflower”.
If there is an impending thunderstorm, cyclists and e-bike riders should seek shelter! (Source: www.pd-f.de / Gunnar Fehlau)
In thunderstorms, the car is considered a safe haven. Sure – after all, the passenger compartment forms a Faraday cage in combination with the rubber tires. But does that also apply to bicycles? Is there a “bicycle cage” here?
No, there isn’t. The press service bicycle informed in a current broadcast about how cyclists should best behave during summer thunderstorms and makes it clear: A bicycle is not a Faraday cage, but exactly the opposite.
True, lightning is not attracted directly. But if there is an impact, the metal of the frame conducts. If you then sit on the e-bike or bicycle, severe burns can occur. It is therefore best to seek suitable protection from the approaching thunderstorm.
Watch out for the cauliflower!
In order not to be surprised by the thunderstorm, it is worth having reliable weather apps installed on your smartphone in addition to a good bike navigation app. Apps like Katwarn and Co. can also help to be warned of impending storms in good time.
What you should always get used to is looking towards the sky. Thunderstorms don’t form suddenly and appear out of nowhere. They usually announce themselves long before the first thunder and lightning strikes. When the sky is not cloudy, storm clouds pile up and in the early stages have the shape of cauliflowers. If you spot such a cauliflower shape, it means: seek shelter or plan a new route.
picture series
E-bike innovations of the year
E-bike innovations of the year
If you already hear thunder, you can assume that the storm front is no more than ten kilometers away from you. The approximate distance of the thunderstorm can be determined by counting the seconds between lightning and thunder. This is then divided by 3 (sound travels at 333 meters per second) and you get the approximate distance in kilometers. Is there 9 seconds between lightning and thunder? Then the thunderstorm rages about three kilometers away from you.
If it is no longer possible to drive around or dodge, you should go to a suitable place of refuge. This can be a bus stop, a canopy, better of course: a house with a lightning rod. On the way, reinforced concrete bridges can also be a good refuge. You should avoid free-standing trees as well as power poles and other constructions. The forest is also not a good place to be during a thunderstorm, as falling branches could hit you.
The following applies in the mountains: plan alternative routes and turning points! (Source: www.ortlieb.com | pdf-f)
If you are on a bike tour in the mountains, caves may seem like a good place to find shelter from the thunderstorm at first glance. Keep in mind, however, that these can be washed over by heavy rain and can become a trap if there is a rockfall. It is best to pay attention to shelters when planning the route, to plan alternative routes and to define turning points.
Special features of the e-bike
If nothing helps and you are surprised by the thunderstorm “on the open meadow”, you should move far enough away from the bike and e-bike. “At least ten meters”, advises Stefan Stiener from touring bike manufacturer Velotraum and adds: “Electronic parts, such as displays on e-bikes or electronic gears, should be switched off and, if possible, removed so that no further damage occurs.” The smartest thing is to stow the electronic components in a waterproof bag and lay them on the ground a little away from the bike and yourself.
And what about camping?
The fact that the car offers good protection during thunderstorms has been sufficiently researched and proven. But what about mobile homes? After all, these are often made of GRP, have electrical systems installed in roofs, are equipped with solar panels and have other special features such as skylights.
The magazine Explorer went in search of clues and found out: The scientific knowledge regarding “mobile home in a thunderstorm” is extremely thin. The magazine then carried out a series of tests worth seeing with some frightening findings on its own initiative. You can see them in the attached video.
We will inform you about the latest news from the world of e-bikes in the linked article. Click here for an overview of our tested e-bike and bicycle models. You can find a comparison test of current e-city bikes here.
Also interesting right now…
Don’t miss anything with the NETWORK-Newsletter
Every Friday: The most informative and entertaining summary from the world of technology!
Table of Contents
