In a city largely designed for car commuters but where plenty of residents don’t have one, e-bikes offer a sort of missing middle for mobility.

They are all of the fun of a bike without most of the physical strain. With increasingly affordable prices, a proliferation of delivery workers using them and even a city program designed to get Baltimoreans on bikes, Charm City is already starting to see an e-bike boom.

Thinking of getting one, but scared to bike around a city where cars still rule? You aren’t alone. Here are some tips to navigate Baltimore’s streets on two wheels safely.

1. Have the right gear for the right situation

Wear comfortable pants that aren’t super baggy and good shoes. You don’t want a pant leg getting hooked in your bike chain; use a wrap or tape to cover up any wayward shoelaces. And of course: Wear a helmet. You’re not a teenager anymore, so stop worrying about looking like a nerd.

If you plan to ride at night, get some high-visibility clothes — I bought a highlighter-yellow construction vest for $10 at a truck stop that I keep in my bike’s front pouch . Consider getting some lights that you could attach to your bike or helmet to make sure drivers can see you.

If you want to go fast, consider protective eyewear. If you want to ride in the rain, consider a nice poncho. There are bike accessories out there for just about any situation.

And remember that because the e-bike throttle is doing a lot of the work, you can bring heavier stuff along on your ride.

“It’s a lot easier on an e-bike to just throw an extra jacket or extra lock in your bag … because you don’t have to worry about the extra weight you are carrying,” said Jed Weeks, executive director of Bikemore and a daily e-bike commuter.

2. Plan your route and pick the right roads

Not all streets are created equal.

When I ride, I try to stay on low-traffic, low-stress roads as much as possible. Main thoroughfares tend to carry faster traffic and multiple car lanes that may not be the best place to take your bike.

Where possible, avoid them by using side streets — that means back ways, one-ways and roads with a max speed limit of 30 mph. It might add a couple minutes to your trip, but will significantly reduce the stress factor.

And if you are going somewhere unfamiliar, use Google Street View ahead of time to get a visual of your trip ; navigation apps don’t always route you to the low-stress roads. If part of a route looks like it carries a lot of traffic or doesn’t have a shoulder, look for an alternative.

In Baltimore, it won’t be perfect. At some point you’ll probably have to at least cross a Loch Raven Boulevard, a North Avenue or an Orleans Street. Don’t be ashamed of hopping off the bike and walking it through a crosswalk — we’ve all been there!

3. Never assume that drivers see you or will stop at an intersection

In a crash, regardless of whether it’s the bike rider’s or the driver’s fault, the bike rider tends to lose — after all, there’s no metal box and air bag to protect them.

So, bike defensively. You are smaller than a car and faster than a pedestrian — drivers who are turning may have trouble seeing you. When approaching an intersection, driveway, alley or any other place where a car or pedestrian could pop out, slow down a bit and be ready to react.

And remember — some Baltimore drivers seem to think stopping at red lights is more of a suggestion than a rule.

If a car is creeping into your right of way, it’s not worth trying to prove a point — just get to your destination in one piece. That being said, sometimes you’ll want to:

4. Take up the whole travel lane on the road where appropriate

E-bikes can accelerate quickly and can even reach the speed limit on some roads. So there will be places where you won’t need to worry about holding up traffic, and it may actually be safer for you and the cars around you to ride in the middle of the travel lane.

Getting this right is a bit more art than science, and requires practice. Start out by trying it on very low-traffic roads you are familiar with, such as a neighborhood street with frequent stop signs. Weeks said that it’s actually safer than riding off to the side in many contexts.

“Because our streets are narrow, if you’re riding on the side you give them [drivers] the chance to try and get past you in a way that’s dangerous,” he said.

Don’t be afraid to use that throttle.

5. Consider insurance and have a plan for where to store/lock your bike up

Yes, you still have to worry about parking an e-bike. Obviously you won’t have to circle the block looking for a spot to squeeze your car into, but you do need to find something sturdy to lock your bike to.

Use multiple locks — seriously, at least two. I use a metal U-lock to secure one tire and the bike frame, and then a chain lock to secure the other tire. If a thief can’t take the entire bike, they might just snatch any parts they can. Consider unhooking your seat to take with you and don’t leave anything on it, except maybe an AirTag or other hidden tracking device.

E-bikes can be heavy, but I’d recommend carrying it up the stairs to your apartment instead of parking it outside overnight. Thieves can get creative. Something you locked your bike to that you thought was secure — like a deck post, for example — might suddenly not be there the next morning.

You can get insurance to cover a possible loss, too. Weeks said that there are policies that cover both property damage/loss and liability while riding, similar to car insurance. Renters’ and homeowners’ policies increasingly cover e-bikes, too, he added.

“Before you pay a lot of money for a standalone plan, make sure you know what you already have access to,” Weeks said.

6. Use common sense

Don’t be the Fed Hill bro who ends up in the emergency room after trying to ride home from the bar while intoxicated. If it’s pouring rain, maybe it’s best to call an Uber or wait for the bus. If a driver is honking or acting aggressive around you, don’t be a hero — just pull over and let them pass.

Every ride is different. So use your head — and make the investment in that helmet worth it.