E-bikes are essentially bicycles with small electric motors attached. They can maintain higher speeds with lower levels of physical exertion than traditional bicycles. They are efficient when compared with cars or even motorcycles and have become relatively popular. Unfortunately, like bicycles, they do very little to protect people in the event of a collision. They are also quite easy for other people to overlook in traffic.
While e-bike riders should be able to safely share the road with others, safety statistics indicate that they are at significant risk in traffic. When looking at reports of injuries to e-bike riders, it becomes quickly apparent that the risk generated by riding these fun and efficient forms of transportation has increased significantly over the last few years.
What have researchers found about e-bike collisions?
E-bike crashes, specifically collisions that lead to injuries, have increased at an alarming rate. Even while nationwide bicycle injuries have declined, e-bike crash injuries have increased year after year since their popularization. The explosive rise in popularity of e-bikes and similar devices no doubt plays a role in the increased risk. There are more of these small vehicles on the road, and those driving bigger vehicles have not yet fully adapted to their presence.
Researchers found that nationwide e-bike collision rates doubled every year from 2017 to 2022. There were only 751 reported e-bike injuries in 2017, which was far below the 456,466 injuries reported by those riding traditional, human-powered bicycles. In 2022, the number of reported injuries among e-bike riders had surged up to 23,493, while cyclists reported 403,565 injuries, a noteworthy decrease.
The age of the people injured was also higher in e-bike incidents. Cyclists reporting injuries were 30 years old, on average. Injured e-bike riders had a median age of 39. In theory, e-bike riders have the same rights as any other cyclist, including the right to pursue compensation from those who hurt them through negligence or violations of traffic statutes.
Taking action by reviewing insurance options and considering a lawsuit can be beneficial for those injured in e-bike collisions in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California. Seeking legal guidance is a good way to get started.
