With NSW alone now home to an estimated 760,000 e-bikes, most new owners spend their first few weeks working out the legal basics — helmet, bell, lights — and only discover the accessories that actually matter a month or two in, usually after a wet commute or a dead phone battery. Here's what's worth buying before you need it, not after.
A Secure Phone or GPS Mount
If you're commuting any real distance, you're almost certainly navigating or tracking the ride from your phone — and holding it while riding isn't legal or safe. A proper mount that won't rattle loose over Sydney's less-than-perfect road surfaces is one of the cheapest, highest-use accessories you can add.
Mudguards — The Most Skipped, Most Regretted Accessory
Casual weekend riders can just wait out the rain. E-bike commuters generally can't — the whole appeal is riding regardless of weather. Without a front and rear fender, that means a soaked stripe up your back and grit sprayed across your face on the very first wet commute you don't cancel.
A Lock That Matches Your Bike's Value
We've covered this in detail elsewhere, so we won't repeat the full case here — but it's worth restating for a new e-bike owner specifically: your bike is worth significantly more than the cable lock it came with can protect. See our full e-bike lock buyer's guide for the full range and how to choose.
Storage That Doesn't Require a Backpack
A commute you'll do five days a week gets old fast with a sweaty backpack. A frame or tail bag keeps your phone, wallet, keys and a spare tube exactly where you need them, without adding weight to your back.
Gloves and Eyewear — Bought Once, Used Every Ride
Both get covered off in our beginner gear checklist, but they're worth repeating here because e-bike riders average more time in the saddle than casual pushbike riders — meaning grip fatigue and eye irritation from wind and grit show up sooner, not later.
A Puncture Repair Kit You've Actually Used Before
E-bikes are heavier and faster than standard bikes, which means more force through the tyre on impact. A basic repair kit or spare tube from our maintenance and parts range is cheap insurance — practice using it once at home, not for the first time on the side of a road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do e-bikes need different accessories to regular bikes?
Some overlap is identical (lights, bell, lock), but e-bikes are ridden further, faster, in more weather, and are worth more — which makes phone mounting, mudguards, puncture protection and lock quality matter more in practice.
Is a phone mount actually necessary?
For commuting, yes — most riders navigate from their phone, and holding it isn't safe or legal. A secure mount is one of the cheapest, highest-use accessories available.
What's the most overlooked e-bike accessory?
Mudguards. E-bike commuters ride through weather far more than casual riders, and a wet commute without fenders means arriving soaked.
Continue Reading
- E-Bike Laws in Australia 2026: What Just Changed in Every State
- Bike Theft in Australia 2026: How to Protect Yours
Setting up a new e-bike? Shop the full CyclistKit range — free shipping across Australia.