E-bike accidents are on the rise. Although their growing popularity is part of the reason, the differences between e-bikes and regular bikes may contribute. They go faster, accelerate quickly, and are often ridden by inexperienced cyclists.
Other factors contributing to the uptick in e-bike accidents include a lack of dedicated cycling infrastructure, motorists expecting the same behavior from e-bikes as from regular bikes, low visibility, and, as evidenced by recent recalls, defective products.
Faster speeds and heavier bikes also contribute to more serious injuries when accidents do occur. Legislators across the US are working on laws to regulate e-bike traffic and keep riders safer, but they are hampered by a lack of data.
The Rise of E-Bike Accidents
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reported a 20-21% increase in injuries from accidents involving micromobility devices between 2021 and 2022. Although this category includes scooters and hoverboards, the dates coincided with notable growth in e-bike adoption.
It’s not just the number of riders that’s contributing to the upsurge in e-bike accidents. The cycling enthusiast website Upway reports that e-bike owners use their bikes more often and travel further. Whereas the average ride distance was previously around 2.1km per day, e-bike riders now cover an average of 9.2km per day.
With more people using e-bikes to travel faster, further, and more frequently, it’s no surprise that e-bike accidents have become more common. Of additional concern, Florida generally allows minors to ride e-bikes, though helmet laws apply to under-16s.
Florida’s Proposed Laws Illustrate E-Bike Accident Concerns
Legislators are taking note of the recent rise in e-bike accidents. At the time of writing, CS/HB 243 has not yet been passed into law. It’s a controversial bill, with some believing it does not go far enough. In summary, it proposes:
- The introduction of stringent rules, including a 10 mph speed limit for e-bike riders sharing walkways with pedestrians.
- The creation of an Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force to study e-bike safety and recommend new laws. It must deliver a report by October 2026.
- Mandatory crash-data collection to allow for a better understanding of e-bike accident trends and to inform policy changes.
- Confirming the right of local government authorities to adopt their own ordinances stipulating prohibitions, speed limits, and minimum age requirements.
Dissenting voices include those who feel that powerful e-bikes and scooters, which are closer to being motorcycles, are inflating e-bike accident and injury figures. They argue that regulators should see these vehicles as electric motorcycles rather than e-bikes and regulate them accordingly.
E-Bike Accidents Commonly Causing Fatalities Are Collisions Between E-Bikes and Cars
Any type of e-bike accident can lead to serious injury. Like other cyclists, most fatal e-bike crashes involve collisions with motor vehicles. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the risk of a crash is highest at intersections, but higher average speeds mean that mid-block collisions result in more fatalities.
If a defective e-bike or an inattentive motorist has caused an e-bike accident that injured you, consider getting advice from a Davie e-bike accident lawyer. If you are considering getting an e-bike and are wondering whether e-bike accidents are common, you can reduce your risk by wearing a helmet, choosing high-visibility clothing, obeying the rules of the road, limiting speed, and staying alert to hazards.