Helmet - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HYKM33G
Knee Pads - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016U4R6II
Jacket - https://a.co/d/73gTSke
Gloves - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T78BCZB
Anything else I need?
I feel pretty safe with all this but it still honestly scares the crap out of me riding at 30+mph with cars.
30mph is pretty cooking. I only get up to those speeds when I’m riding downhill (thanks 18% grades). If you can, especially when not on the road with cars, try slowing down a bit. A 20mph collision (or allision) is much safer than at 30.
At 30mph speeds, definitely look at motorcycle gear. Illuminate your bike (good rear and front lights). Consider a mirror on your handle bars or helmet. Maybe take some online courses on how to ride a motorbike and translate it to your fat bike.
FortNine did a nice little short about this space, though mostly so folks stop pestering motorcyclists about the danger on the roads. The reality is the cars are the danger for both motorized bikes and pedal bikes. Defensive techniques are your only option.
Interesting video. You would need to do a proper motorcycle test in the UK to ride something like that, CBT at the bare minimum. Along with have it registered and insured as what ever type of motorcycle it fits into based on its power and top speed. To count as an ebike the motor must be pedal assist and can only assist up to about 25kph. Of course this only applies to public roads. On your own land you can buy a 5kW ebike and no one will stop you from using it uninsured. But I wonder how much this impacts the type of injuries seen if a lot of Americans are using ebikes that can go much faster? People here do sometimes illegally use ebikes that fit into motorcycle categories.
The gear generally looks ok though. Knee pads instead of proper motorcycle trousers might be ok if you are wearing them ontop of fairly sturdy trousers, given that biker trousers are often just sturdy material with built in knee pads. Look into kevlar jeans, they are generally alright for abrasion but lack any impact protection for your knees, combined with the knee pads that should be ok. Plus you can take the knee pads off when you get off.
I live in a very hilly city. The motor can easily do 20 up a steep hill and then gravity 30 down. Thats without my contribution. With my contribution it can go even faster.
A similar situation to me then. The speed really picks up when going downhill, especially on a heavier bike like an ebike! I’ve done 45 mph on my recumbent without any effort. At least I was keeping up with the cars!
I have one more recommendation then: stress test your brakes! I’ve burned up a few sets of pads, even bluing out a set of rotors. Breaking power drops as the rotor temperature gets higher (“fade”) and I’ve nearly lost all my brake power before. You know, like at the end of a hill where there’s a busy intersection controlled only by stop signs. Fun.
Make sure you can stop with plenty of brake power left at the bottom of your hills. If you find it lacking, then consider harder pads and the associated rotors that can handle the pads. Mountain bike pads, semi for full metallic, are a good place to look. Careful with the extra hard pads (full metal/ceramic) because they must be matched with a rotor that can handle such a hard compound.