Do Electric Bikes Need Keys to Operate?

Electric bikes all come with a set of keys, but are these keys required to operate the bike, or are they for something else? In this article, I will explain what the keys for an ebike are used for and if they are required in order to ride the bike.

There are some electric bikes that can only be ridden if you have the key and it’s in a certain position to turn on the bike. While on most other ebikes, you only need the keys to unlock and remove the battery.

Electric bikes are different than electric scooters or motorcycles and can be ridden like a regular bike even if the motor is not turned on.

But, do you need a key to turn on the motor or to ride the ebike? Keep reading and I will go over some interesting facts about keys and ebikes!

Do I Need a Key To Start-Up My Electric Bike?

This will depend on which ebike you get. Most mid-drive ebikes only need the key to remove the battery but my Lectric XP 2.0 folding ebike needs the key for the system to turn on.

Until I bought the Lectric I didn’t think you need keys to operate the bike. Now I find that on some of them you do. (I’m still learning things too) 🙂

Still, I have yet to find an ebike that “starts up” with the keys. Electric bikes will turn on with the push of a button. 

I have not tried every make and model out there but some electric bikes will need the keys to work.

Do I Have To Leave The Key In My Ebike While I’m Riding?

With my Lectric XP 2.0, you have to leave the key in and at a certain position for the system to turn on, and with my Bosch bike you don’t need the keys at all.

Sorry, but a lot of these answers will depend on which ebike you bought.

I know that Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, and Brose mid-drive ebikes only use the keys to remove the battery and my Lectric XP 2.0 needs the key in at all times for electronics to work.

If you don’t want to have to bring your keys with you every ride, I would make sure your ebike doesn’t need the keys to work, before you buy one!

Now, the key does not “start-up” up the Lectric XP 2.0 but it needs to be in the “on” position to turn on the system from the controls.

How Do I Replace My Electric Bike Key?

If your electric bike key has its own serial number, you can check the lock brand and they will have a replacement program for their keys. If there is no serial number, then you may want to have some extra keys made before you lose them or they break!

If you happen to lose both of your keys and have no other option, you can take your whole bike to a good locksmith and they should be able to make a cast of your lock and cut a replacement key from that.

This is not an inexpensive option, so I would be a bit preemptive and have a couple of spare keys made in advance. 🙂

Are Electric Bike Keys Interchangeable for the Same Brand?

Your key should only fit your bike. Even if you have 2 of the same bike. Every lock is different so that somebody can’t just buy an ebike and have they key for every other ebike of the same type.

Make a note however that if you do have 2 of the same ebike, the keys will look the same but only fit the bike they came with. 

You may want to mark them so that you don’t get them confused. I’ve had to do this for many customers that bought the same pair of ebikes.

Why Isn’t My Electric Bike Key Working?

Some reasons why your key may not work are – 

• You have the wrong key (usually if you bought 2 of the same ebikes, try your other set)
• Something is clogging up the lock (dirt finds its way into everything, just clean it out)
• Your key is not pushed in all the way (push that thing in there)
• The key is worn out and not engaging the lock tumblers (the key would need to be replaced)
• The lock is rusty or gummed up (drip some chain oil into the lock and try again)
• The lock is frozen (drip some rubbing alcohol on it, then try again)

I find it is good to add some chain oil to your lock every so often if your key becomes hard to turn or hard to insert.

Oiling a lock will also help keep your lock from freezing in really cold temperatures. Condensation can build up on the metal and freeze inside the lock, making it impossible to use your key until you have melted it.

Chain oil also works well on car doors!

Can I Remove My Ebike Battery Without the Key?

This would not be easy. You will likely need a good locksmith. The battery lock is designed to secure the battery to the bike and be theft-proof. Usually, the only way to remove the lock itself is with the battery removed.

If your battery is locked to your ebike and you don’t have the key, but need to remove the battery, the only way to do it without damaging the bike is to take it to a locksmith. A good one. 🙂

The battery is not designed to be removed without the key, so don’t lose your keys!

If you have an ebike that does not need the key to operate, then just keep them somewhere safe.

At the End of the Day

If you don’t want to have to deal with using a key to get your ebike to work, then make sure before you buy an ebike that this is not required.

Pretty much any mid-drive electric bike will not need keys to operate and some less expensive online hub drive models will.

I recommend figuring this out before you buy your new ebike and it shows up at your door. By then it’s too late!