How to Ride an Electra Townie Go! E-Bike

A step-by-step guide to the controls on the Electra Townie Go! e-bike: turning it on, pedal assist, brakes, gears, throttle, lights, and turn signals. Read it once, then take a few practice laps before your first real ride.

Questions? Call our shop: (706) 405-3393

Electra's Townie Go! FAQ (opens in a new tab) has the full manufacturer specs.

Jump to: Before every ride | Seat | Power and assist | Brakes | Gears | Throttle | Lights and signals | If something goes wrong

Before every ride

Wear a helmet that fits, with the chin strap buckled. Wear closed-toe shoes and skip loose pant legs or long straps that could catch in the chain or wheels.

Then give the bike a quick check:

• Tires are inflated and have no cuts, bulges, or anything stuck in them.
• Both brake levers feel firm and stop the bike when you push it forward.
• The seat, handlebars, wheels, and battery are tight and don't wiggle.
• If anything feels loose, damaged, or wrong, don't ride it. Bring it by and we'll take a look.

Riding the Townie Go!

1. Set your seat height

The Townie is built so you sit low and pedal slightly out in front of you. Your leg should be almost straight at the bottom of each pedal stroke, and you should be able to put your feet flat or nearly flat on the ground when you stop. Taller riders may only reach the ground with the balls of their feet, and that's fine. If you can't find a height that lets you pedal comfortably and hold the bike up at a stop, have the fit checked before you ride.

To adjust a seat post with a quick-release lever:

1. Stop and turn the bike off.
2. Open the lever at the base of the seat post.
3. Raise or lower the seat and point it straight ahead.
4. Keep the minimum-insertion mark on the seat post hidden inside the frame.
5. Close the lever all the way. It should take firm hand pressure.
6. Try to twist the seat. If it moves, or the lever won't close tight, don't ride until it's fixed.

2. Turn it on and pick an assist level

The display and its buttons are on the left handlebar. Press the power button once to turn the bike on. Hold it for more than 2 seconds to turn it off. Check the battery level on the display before you go.

Use the + and minus (-) buttons to choose OFF, Eco, Mid, or High. Start in OFF while you get on and get balanced, then move to Eco. The motor helps when you pedal, and it helps more the harder you push on the pedals. OFF turns off both pedal assist and the throttle.

3. Brake and stop

The left lever works the front brake and the right lever works the rear brake. To stop, let go of the throttle, stop pedaling, and squeeze both levers smoothly. Don't grab them hard. These are strong hydraulic brakes on a bike that weighs close to 60 lb, so leave more room to stop than you would on a regular bike, especially on wet, sandy, or bumpy pavement.

Slow down before turns, not during them. The rear brake light comes on automatically when you brake.

4. Shift gears

The shifter is on the right handlebar and the display next to it shows your gear. One lever shifts to an easier gear and the other to a harder gear.

• Only shift while you're pedaling forward.
• Ease up on the pedals and shift one gear at a time.
• Shift to an easier gear before a hill and before you stop, so starting again is easy.
• Gears change how hard you pedal. They don't change how much the motor helps.

5. Use the throttle

The throttle is the thumb lever on the left handlebar. It only works when an assist level (Eco, Mid, or High) is on. Push it gently and the motor moves the bike, whether or not you're pedaling, up to 20 mph. Let go and the motor stops pushing. Use the brakes to stop.

It's handy for getting going from a stop. Get balanced before you use it, and keep your thumb off it while you get on, get off, or walk the bike. The throttle drains the battery faster than pedal assist.

6. Lights and turn signals

The front and rear lights come on with the bike. To switch them on or off, hold the + button for more than 2 seconds and check the light icon on the display. Keep them on. They help drivers see you, even in daylight.

The turn signal buttons are on the right handlebar. Press the left or right arrow once and the signal flashes five times, then shuts off on its own. Press again if you need more time. Always look behind you before you turn or move over, and don't assume a driver saw your signal.

7. Battery and parking

Watch the battery level. Hills, High assist, the throttle, and extra weight all use it faster. If the battery runs out, the bike still pedals like a regular bike, but it's heavy, so leave charge for the ride home. The battery is built into the frame and isn't removable, so charge the whole bike indoors with the included magnetic charger.

Turn the bike off whenever you park it.

Riding a Townie Go! S?

The Townie Go! S is a Class 3 e-bike. In Georgia, you must be at least 15 to ride a Class 3 e-bike, and every rider must wear a helmet. Some multi-use paths don't allow Class 3 bikes, so check the posted rules.

Practice first

Before you ride on roads or busy paths, spend a few minutes in a flat, open spot away from cars. Practice starting, turning, shifting, and smooth stops with the assist OFF. Then try the lowest assist level, then try the throttle gently. Ride in traffic only once you can start, steer, and stop with confidence.

Good to know

• Follow traffic signs and signals, and ride with traffic on the right.
• Slow down and give pedestrians room on shared paths. Call out "on your left" before you pass.
• No phone use while riding, and no riding after drinking.
• Skip standing water, jumps, curbs, and stunts.
• Looking for a place to ride? Our guide to bike trails near Lake Oconee lists paved, e-bike friendly trails with parking and directions.

If something goes wrong

Pull over somewhere safe if you get a flat, the brakes feel wrong, you hear a strange noise, or the display shows an error code. Don't keep riding it. Have it checked by a bike shop that works on e-bikes. We service Electra e-bikes at our Greensboro shop.

After a crash, have the bike checked before you ride it again, even if it looks fine.

If the battery smokes, gets very hot, or smells unusual, stop, get off, and move away from the bike. If anyone is in danger, call 911.

Riding a different bike? See our guide to how to ride an Aventon Pace 4.

See all of our e-bike riding guides

This guide is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Controls and features can change with model year and software updates, so check your owner's manual and ask us if anything on your bike doesn't match. This is not legal advice. Always wear a helmet, follow local traffic laws and posted trail rules, and ride within your ability.