Oh - one other contribution regarding ebike policy: most, if not nearly all ebike battery fires happen while a battery is charging and connected to its charger. This is most often a factor of poor charger design, cutting corners in what components are used. Beware a charger that has no internal fan, and/or weighs next to nothing - heatsinks are made of an aluminum block and will make a charger heavy. Lack of a heatsink means poor heat dissipation ability, and greater chance of breaking down the charger components, which will endanger the battery as it is charging.
So I basically never (or rarely) charge batteries in the shop. In any case where the motor has to be available for activation as part of a given job, I expect that the battery arrives in the shop with enough charge to run the motor long enough for the job. It isn't my responsibility to charge the battery.
TL;DR, it's far safer to not to charge batteries in your shop as a policy.
~ cyclista Nicholas
On 2025-12-01 22:55, cyclista@inventati.org wrote:
Hi folks, I'm not currently running or working in a community shop, rather I'm owning and operating my own commercial shop. I remain in contact here based on my years of involvement with this list as Executive Director of a community shop previously, and my passion for community shops in general.
Contributing to this discussion, when I went to open my own shop, I knew that based on the market, I'd be working on a lot of ebikes. Many of the demographics who several years ago would have gotten a non-mototred bike as their first vehicle are now going straight for ebikes; in my "college town" market based on my observations, that's around a third of the local ridership. I can't ignore it, you probably won't be able to either.
(side note: there's potential to try and force ebikes into a scene of their own, but considering every positive benefit we've built into our community and movement, I believe it's safer and more globally benefic to embrace ebikes into our structure and adapt accordingly rather than leave a lot of these new and relatively inexperienced riders out on their own)
At my previous shop, we most of the time used a buddy lift to get ebikes into the stand. Since workstand clamps are detachable, what we'd do was take the clamp off the stand, clamp it to the seatpost (or other available frame member) and then buddy lift the bike with clamp into the clamp sleeve. It was then easy to secure the clamp into the sleeve; the process took seconds and was safe and pretty easy.
In a pinch, using the process of removing the clamp from the workstand sleeve and clamping it to the bike then lifting the bike and clamp into the sleeve could work solo, in other words without a partner. But really you needed a partner if your were doing this several times a day. Even for a fit+strongth person, it's pretty strenuous to repeatedly lift ebikes, even if you don't have to wrestle with the clamp once it's up in the air because you're using the "clamp before lifting" method.
At my new shop, I'm the sole employee, so I had to figure out what I would do to make it possible to repeatedly lift and drop ebikes by myself throughout a given day. Obviously, there are mechanical lifts available from Park Tool and several others, but most cost thousands. Park just recently came out with a smaller model that only cost $500 or so, and another manufacturer I found had a different model in the same price range, but even $500 has been outside my budget thus far. Especially considering I knew I could probably solve the problem on my own somehow.
So, doing some research online, mostly in ebike forums, I came up with my own design for a mechanical lift system based around my Park dual workstand, which I'm guessing many of you also have in your shops. Pictures are attached. If you have particular questions about implementations, ask away, but the pictures should get most of the dynamics across.
~ cyclista Nicholas
On 2025-12-01 22:15, Andy Ballentine via TheThinkTank wrote:
We don't have a policy at the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg (VA), but our practice is described by Jo's policy.
We don't include e-bikes in our inventory of bikes for sale because our insurance won't allow it. Time will tell if e-bikes become so ubiquitous that we'll need to see if we can get insurance in the shopping center where we're located, and then send mechanics for electric motor training.
Andy Ballentine
On Mon, Dec 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM Johanna Bleecker via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
Hi there!
Here is the e-bike policy for Kickstand Community Bikes in Vancouver, BC. I would be interested in hearing how other shops have dealt with this!
- Kickstand is not able to allow repairs on electrical components
of e-bikes to take place within the shop. This includes motors, batteries, and other electrical components.
- Repairs to non-electrical components of e-bikes may be able to
take place in the shop based on the following requirements to ensure a safe working environment for all shop users and volunteers:
- The e-bike must be mountable on our workstand, normally by the
seat post;
- The user should be capable of mounting their e-bike onto a
workstand on their own, without assistance from a Kickstand volunteer. A volunteer may assist at their discretion;
- Repairs to e-bikes on the floor of the workshop are not allowed
due to our limited space. If the shop is not busy a Keyholder may override this requirement at their discretion;
- Only one e-bike is to be repaired in the shop at a time. If the
shop is not busy a Keyholder may override this requirement at their discretion.
- If the keyholder or volunteers do not feel comfortable with a
repair proceeding, Kickstand reserves the right to refuse the use of our space.
- Shop users should remove the battery if able to before mounting
their bike on a stand.
- Kickstand is not responsible for determining if e-bikes are
legally able to be used on public roads and is not responsible for the outcomes of any repairs conducted within the shop. If you know your e-bike does not comply with Provincial legislation regarding e-bike use on public roads, please do not bring it to Kickstand.
- Kickstand’s repair stands are rated to 100lbs per bike. Lifting
a heavy e-bike onto a stand can pose health and safety issues. Mounting an e-bike in a stand should only be done with proper support and if volunteers and shop users feel able to do so safely.
- Batteries should not be charged inside of the shop.
Cheers, Jo Bleecker
On Sun, Nov 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM weogo--- via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
Hi Folks,
My guess is e-bikes are here to stay for a while. Then we will be going back to simpler systems that don’t need so much exotic materials, energy and processing.
Agricultural equipment giant John Deere has been fighting a losing battle with farmers who need to fix their machines in a timely fashion. I can see right-to-repair laws being enacted so consumers or reasonably competent mechanics can service e-bike systems.
Similar to the ridiculous number of derailleur hangers and the universal-fit ones now possible, E-bike manufacturers need to standardize on a few mounting options and software. Batteries need to be interchangeable.
E-bikes aren’t just about going fast. I know several older people and folks with health issues that are riding e-bikes around here because the mountains are so steep. One young friend lost his license because of drunk-driving and is looking for a cheap, used e-bike to get to work.
Some good e-bike maintenance information here:
https://nextgenebike.com/middrive-ebike-ultimate-performance-guide/ Scroll down to 7, Maintenance and Longevity... for some maintenance protocols.
Our Co-op is writing an e-bike repair policy. One consideration is not storing non-UL-listed batteries at our shop, or possibly not allowing them in the shop at all.
When e-bike maintenance/repair training for the masses becomes a thing, sign me up.
Does your shop have an e-bike policy? Can you post it, or a link?
Thanks and good health, Weogo _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
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