How to make your eBike smarter (without buying a new one)

March 12, 2025

UPGRADES

eBikes are no longer a rare sight—they’re part of daily life.

You’ve probably seen them gliding through bike lanes, weaving past traffic, turning commutes and quick errands into a breeze.

But their growing presence isn’t just anecdotal; the numbers tell the same story. The global eBike market is booming, currently valued at over $43 billion, with projections expected to exceed $148 billion by 2032. Not only that, but a recent study found that nearly 20% of bike users had ridden an eBike at least once, a sharp increase from 7% two years ago.

This kind of growth signals a shift in how people get around. In fact, with 300 million riders worldwide, eBikes have safely moved beyond novelty status and into the mainstream.

But while eBikes are growing in numbers, not all of them are keeping up with the times. Some are packed with real-time tracking, theft protection, and ride optimization features, while others feel stuck in the past.

If you’ve ever had to second-guess where you parked your eBike or wished for a little extra help with navigation, you know what we mean.

The good news? You don’t need a brand-new eBike to ride smarter. Cloud-connected apps and tech upgrades can improve safety, convenience, and performance—all while keeping the bike you already own.


These smart upgrades aren’t just useful for individual riders. Businesses and fleet operators can leverage advanced tracking, predictive maintenance, and real-time data to streamline operations and reduce upkeep costs, making eBike fleet management more efficient than ever.

With that said, let’s explore how these innovations are reshaping eBike experiences for both individual riders and businesses alike:

Smarter ways to protect eBikes from theft

Nobody wants to walk out of a café only to find their eBike has vanished into thin air. Thankfully, you don’t need to splurge on expensive tech or a monthly subscription to keep your ride safe. Instead, you can make your eBike practically unstealable with the right anti-theft solutions:


Security measureHow it protects your ride
Find your eBike, even without GPSLost your eBike or worried it’s been swiped? UWB Bluetooth and mapping technology can pinpoint its location without relying on GPS or pricey data plans.
Know the second your eBike movesImagine grabbing lunch, and suddenly your phone buzzes—your eBike just moved, but you’re nowhere near it. Motion alerts let you know if someone’s trying to take off with your ride or if it just got knocked over.
Hands-free lockingHave you ever walked away from your eBike and had that "Did I lock it?" moment? Proximity locking takes care of that for you. As soon as you step away, it auto-locks, shutting down the motor and battery.
Tap to lock or unlock your eBikeNFC technology lets you lock and unlock your eBike with your smartphone or a card—because fumbling with keys is so last century. Instead, just tap and go.
Extra protection with hidden GPS and alarmsFor next-level security, hide a GPS tracker inside the frame to track your eBike from your phone if it’s ever stolen. Pair it with a motion-sensor alarm that triggers a loud alert at the first sign of tampering—giving thieves every reason to back off.

Ride safe with smart tech

Regrettably, with more eBike riders on the road, accidents are climbing, too. The numbers are hard to ignore—eBike-related injuries have doubled every year between 2017 and 2022, jumping from 750 in 2017 to a staggering 23,500 in 2022. That’s a lot of scraped knees, dented pride, and, unfortunately, some serious collisions.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Smarter technology is stepping in to help. Upgrading your eBike with innovations in braking systems, AI-powered sensors, and rider-assist features (to name but a few!) makes it much easier to stay safe on the road. Here’s how:


Safety featureHow it protects you on the road
eBike health monitoringThink of this as your eBike’s built-in safety inspector. It tracks battery health, brake performance, tire pressure, etc., and sends alerts when something needs your attention. Spotting a failing brake system or a weak battery before setting off can go a long way in preventing accidents.
Crash detectionIf you take a hard fall and can't respond, onboard sensors step in, automatically alerting your designated contact. Quick assistance can make all the difference, especially when riding in remote areas.
Automatic lightingLow visibility is a major cause of accidents, especially in the early mornings or evenings. Smart eBike lights switch on automatically when natural light drops, so you're always visible to traffic and pedestrians—without needing to fumble for a switch.
Speed monitoringIt’s easy to underestimate your speed on an eBike, especially in high-traffic areas. A real-time speed display helps you stay within legal limits and adjust your riding pace for a safer ride through city streets or bike paths.
Smart accessoriesUpgrade your ride with Bluetooth helmets for hands-free calls, motion-activated signal gloves for turn indicators, and AR helmets that provide a 360° view. These smart features improve awareness and communication, helping reduce the risk of collisions.
Rear-view cameras and smart mirrorsRear-view cameras and smart mirrors give you a clearer view of what’s behind you, helping you react faster and ride with confidence. They also capture footage of reckless drivers or tricky road conditions—handy if you ever need proof for an insurance claim.

Take full control of your eBike with smart customization

An eBike should feel like an extension of you, fine-tuned to match your riding style. Smart apps and cloud-based software put that control at your fingertips, letting you adjust settings in real-time from the convenience of your iPhone or Android.

Want to stretch your battery life for a longer commute? Need an extra push for a steep incline? Prefer to cap your speed for a more relaxed ride? With the right eBike apps, that becomes possible.

Here are some of the ways smart customization can improve your ride:

  • Throttle response: Decide how much kick you want when you twist the throttle. Some riders love that instant surge, while others prefer a gradual boost that won’t send them flying when they tap the accelerator.
  • Tweak motor performance for different terrains: An app can boost motor power to help you glide uphill without breaking a sweat. Or if you're sticking to flat city roads, you can switch to an energy-saving mode to make your battery last longer.
  • Manage battery usage more efficiently: Get more mileage out of every charge by adjusting power levels to fit your ride. Use less power when cruising to save battery, or turn up the assist when riding against the wind or carrying extra weight.

Make your dashboard work for you

Your dashboard is like your eBike’s personal assistant—always there, keeping you informed and in control as you ride. But the best part is that you can make it truly yours. Depending on your eBike’s model and the manufacturer, the level of customization will vary, but many modern eBikes are compatible with apps that let you personalize the interface.

Want to track your trip data or simply give your dashboard a fresh look? It’s all possible with just a few taps. Check your user manual or the manufacturer’s website to see what’s available for your specific model—because a little customization can make a world of difference to your ride.

With that said, if your smart eBike doesn’t have these features already, you’ll likely be able to upgrade it to access the following:

  • Trip stats: Monitor your journey’s distance, duration, and route history—this comes in handy for tracking riding patterns and planning future rides.
  • Navigation tools: Some dashboards integrate with GPS apps, offering turn-by-turn directions and live traffic updates to help you avoid delays and unfamiliar detours.
  • Battery health: Keep an eye on charge levels and voltage so you’re never caught off guard by low power.
  • Entertainment controls: Play music and switch tracks without reaching for your phone.
  • Weather insights: Get real-time updates on temperature, humidity, and air quality.
  • Dashboard themes and colors: Customize the look of your display to match your style and preferences.

Next-level control with voice commands

Smart customization doesn’t stop at app-based tuning. Voice control takes convenience even further, letting you adjust settings hands-free while staying focused on the road.

Imagine riding with both hands on the handlebars while making real-time adjustments—no need to reach for your phone. Voice-controlled assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant make that doable, letting you adjust your speed, check your battery, or skip a song with simple commands.

The future of eBike fleet management

So far, we've covered how individual riders can customize their eBikes for better safety and convenience. But what happens when you manage a fleet of eBikes instead of just one?

Running a business with employee riders or an eBike rental service comes with its own set of challenges. One bike left in the wrong spot? Now you’re playing detective. A dead battery mid-shift? That’s a headache you want to avoid.

Upgrading your eBikes with smart technology takes the guesswork out of fleet management, letting you track bikes in real-time and make remote adjustments so everything stays on course—all with just a few taps on your smartphone. Here’s a closer look at how this could work:

  • Live tracking: Always know where each eBike is, whether it's in use, parked, or unaccounted for. If a bike goes missing, you can pinpoint its location in seconds.
  • Remote diagnostics: Keep an eye on bike health with real-time updates on battery life and motor performance.
  • Set speed limits and no-parking zones: Customize settings to keep eBikes riding at safe speeds and parked in the right places. This helps prevent reckless riding and keeps bikes from ending up where they shouldn’t—making city streets safer for everyone.

This kind of control means no more guessing games—no wondering if a bike’s been abandoned in a random alley or if a low battery is about to leave a rider stranded. You’ll know exactly how your fleet is being used, keeping rides safe and operations smooth.

Smarter eBikes, smoother rides

eBikes have quickly become a go-to for getting around—and it's easy to see why. They're eco-friendly, practical, and a lot more fun than sitting in traffic. Now, thanks to smart upgrades, you can take your ride even further.

These upgrades enhance safety and convenience, and you don’t have to trade in your trusty bike for a new one. Instead, with the right apps, you can improve performance without spending a fortune.

Lost track of where you parked? Real-time tracking helps you find your bike in seconds.

Worried about battery life? Smart energy management keeps you powered up for the entire ride.

Managing multiple eBikes? Remote monitoring makes it easy to track usage, monitor maintenance, and keep everything running smoothly.

That’s all from us! Sign up now for updates and get exclusive access to the app launch. Get ready to take your eBike experience to the next level!


Written by

CYKEL Team

March 12, 2025

Last updated: August 5, 2025

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CYKEL Technologies Inc. acknowledges that we gather and work on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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