E-bike and cargo bike accessories: what's actually worth the money

The accessory list for a new e-bike can quickly run to several thousand kroner — but most of it can wait, and some of it genuinely matters more than the choice of bike. Here is our prioritised list: first what protects the investment (and your insurance coverage), then what decides whether the bike actually gets ridden in November. Prices are checked against the shops' product feeds — the date is shown on each product.

1. The lock — first, not last

Danish home contents insurance requires a frame-mounted or approved lock — otherwise there is no coverage at all in a theft. The whole insurance side (per-bike caps, battery theft, speed pedelecs) is covered in the insurance guide. The base recipe for anything above DKK 15,000 is a frame-mounted ring lock plus an approved chain or folding lock, so the bike can be secured to something:

2. Helmet

A helmet isn't legally required on a 25 km/h e-bike in Denmark (it is on a speed pedelec — see the rules), but average speeds are higher on electric, so our recommendation isn't up for debate. Look for city models with rotational protection (MIPS or KinetiCore) and good ventilation:

3. Lights — legally required and cheap

Many e-bikes have fixed lights powered by the main battery — check your model page in the database. If yours doesn't, a USB-rechargeable light set is a small investment: lights are mandatory from sunset to sunrise in Denmark, and the fine is real. Prefer a steady rear light — constant light is easier for drivers to judge distance to than blinking.

4. Rain gear — what decides whether the bike gets used in November

The difference between an e-bike that replaces the car and one that sits in the shed from October to March is rarely the bike — it's the clothing. A breathable commuter rain set is the most underrated item on this entire list. Look for reflectives, a high collar and trousers you can pull on over work clothes without acrobatics:

5. Basket, bags and phone holder

An e-bike only replaces the car the day the groceries can come along. A fixed front basket or rack bags make the everyday difference — and a phone holder makes navigation legal and safe (handheld phone use on a bike carries a fine in Denmark).

6. Cargo bike owners: covers and canopies

If the cargo bike lives outside, a waterproof cover quickly pays for itself in saved wear on electronics, box and paint. And a canopy extends the season for kids — and dogs, see the dog guide — by months at both ends:

7. The battery: spare part and care

The battery is the bike's most expensive single part — original Bosch and Shimano batteries typically cost DKK 3,500–7,000. Always buy a battery that matches your system and mount exactly: same series and same mounting (in-frame, down tube or rack). If in doubt, check your model page in the database or ask the dealer with your frame number at hand — the wrong battery may not even click in.

And the care that postpones the purchase for years:

• Store the battery indoors in freezing weather — cold costs both range now and lifespan long-term.
• Charge to 20–80% day to day; full charges are for long trips, not every night.
• Long-term storage (winter break): around half charged, cool and dry — and never fully drained, which a battery may not wake up from.
• Wipe the contacts with a dry cloth a couple of times a year — especially on bikes parked outside.

Still missing the bike itself? Start with the best-of lists — and if you're unsure about motors or models, the answers are in the other guides.