Electric bikes have gained in popularity in recent years as a pleasant, energy-efficient way to go around town while also providing numerous health benefits. As people began to abandon public transportation in favor of a speedier mode of transportation, the pandemic helped push more e-bikes into cities.
Despite being a cost-effective and flexible mode of transportation, fresh investigations reveal an increase in accidents and dangers linked with these types of motorized vehicles, which can result in serious injuries such as spinal cord and brain traumas. Keep reading to learn more and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you require a free legal consultation.
What is an electric bike?
An e-bike, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles, is a bicycle with fully functional pedals and an electric motor. Most e-bikes fall into one of three categories, with the fastest achieving speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. To ride an e-bike, you don’t need a driver’s license, but you must be at least 16 years old and always wear a helmet in case of an accident.
The risks of e-bikes
According to a Washington Post story, there are some risks associated with owning or riding electric bikes, and it’s critical to be aware of them. E-bikes are heavier and move faster than ordinary cycles, putting the rider and others on the road at higher danger of harm.
According to a Reuters analysis, e-bike injuries are more than three times as likely as scooter or traditional bike injuries to entail a pedestrian collision, and those injuries are more serious than other types of motorized vehicles such as scooters. E-bikes are not built to share conventional paved roads with traditional bikers, and riders may lose control of their bikes due to the rapid acceleration these types of bikes obtain, according to public safety experts.
The following are some of the most common e-bike-related injuries:
- Bone fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Injury to the head and back
- Spinal cord damage
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) of the United States revealed last year that accidents arising from their use had increased by 70% over the previous four years, resulting in approximately 200,000 emergency room visits.
The CPSC discovered many deaths after other vehicles, including trucks, collided with e-bike riders. According to CBS News, a 43-year-old man died after colliding with a pedestrian in a crossing in August 2019. Simon Cowell, a television icon, was recently injured in an e-bike accident while riding about London. According to the Daily Mail UK, this was Cowell’s second mishap using his electric bike, with the first resulting in a back injury.
Consumers should be cautious of electric bikes amid an upsurge in battery fires linked to the equipment, according to fire and safety officials. Lithium-ion batteries, such as those used in e-bikes, have been known to overheat and catch fire in certain circumstances, particularly if they are not charged or disposed of correctly.
Over 75 e-bike fires were reported in New York City last year, resulting in several injuries and three deaths. A firefighter was hurt when an e-bike battery exploded into flames while charging at a New York restaurant last month.
Have you been injured on or by an e-bike?
If you have been injured while riding an e-bike, or while someone else was riding an e-bike, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation today.
