E-Bike Safety:
Understanding Risks,
Advocating for Change through Legal Action
E-Bike Safety:
Understanding Risks,
Advocating for Change through Legal Action
E-Bike Safety:
Understanding Risks,
Advocating for Change through Legal Action
Overview
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, have become increasingly common over the past few years. They are praised as an eco-friendly way of travel that is more accessible than other modes of transit. People who do not have access to a car can get to work or leisure activities more easily, and older people as well as those with health issues or low fitness levels are able to enjoy biking again because e-bikes is less strenuous than regular bicycles. E-bikes also help otherwise-sedentary travelers to become more active, increasing health and fitness for many people.
However, this increased e-bike use also comes with risks. According to a study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – the government entity that regulates e-bikes – injuries and fatalities related to the use of e-bikes have increased about 23% each year since 2017. When investigating the causes of these accidents, the CPSC found that the main cause is collisions with motor vehicles. There were also other causes, such as riders hitting fixed objects or pedestrians, which suggests a lack of proper education and training for e-bike users. Hazards resulting from faulty equipment have also occurred, such as battery fires and structural defects in the e-bike itself.
![The handlbars of an e-bike riding down a road, showing its speedometer at 19 miles per hour](https://ebike-injury.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/himiway-bikes-RFU93mEUiZo-unsplash-683x1024.jpg)
What is an E-Bike?
According to the DMV, an electric bicycle, or e-bike, is “a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.”
There are three distinct classes of e-bikes designated by the DMV:
- Class I – The motor only helps when the rider is pedaling, and will not help beyond 20 mph.
- Class II – Using a throttle, the motor can power the e-bike even when the rider is not pedaling, but cannot do so past 20 mph.
- Class III – The motor only helps when the rider is pedaling, and will not help beyond 28 mph.
Higher speeds can be achieved by combining both the e-bike motor and the pedaling of the rider.
Class III e-bikes have the highest level of restrictions due to their capacity for higher speed. They are restricted to riders 16 years or older, cannot have a passenger, and riders must wear a helmet. Some locations do not allow Class III e-bikes, such as certain recreational trails. This decision is often left to the local authorities.
Major Risks & Safety Concerns
Injuries sustained by e-bikers are more similar to those of motorcyclists than regular bicyclists. There are many aspects that make e-bike use more dangerous and prone to these more damaging injuries:
- E-Bike Weight and Speed
- Rider Age
- Poor Infrastructure
- Lack of education and training
- Neglecting Maintenance
- Recklessness and Distraction
- Lack of proper safety gear
Professional Perspectives
While most entities acknowledge the positive aspects of e-bikes, doctors, police officers, and government officials all have concerns about their use.
![doctor stethoscope](https://ebike-injury.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hush-naidoo-jade-photography-yo01Z-9HQAw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg)
![government building](https://ebike-injury.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/katie-moum-o0kbc907i20-unsplash-1024x683.jpg)
![police car driving down a city street](https://ebike-injury.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/matt-popovich-7mqsZsE6FaU-unsplash-1024x554.jpg)
Professional Perspectives
While most entities acknowledge the positive aspects of e-bikes, doctors, police officers, and government officials all have concerns about their use.
![doctor stethoscope](https://ebike-injury.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hush-naidoo-jade-photography-yo01Z-9HQAw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg)
![government building](https://ebike-injury.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/katie-moum-o0kbc907i20-unsplash-1024x683.jpg)
![police car driving down a city street](https://ebike-injury.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/matt-popovich-7mqsZsE6FaU-unsplash-1024x554.jpg)
What's Being Done?
While there are still many issues to be resolved, police departments, government officials, private entities, and school districts are beginning to take action toward e-bike safety.
Legal Action
It can be difficult to find out who is at fault when an e-bike accident occurs. Was a driver distracted or driving recklessly? Was the e-bike rider following the rules of the road and riding safely? Did the manufacturer make a faulty bike part? Did a pedestrian step out without looking? Did the city fail to maintain the road? Your insurance company may even fail to cover your medical bills if it does not understand the differences among e-bikes, regular bikes, and motorcycles. Navigating these complex situations can be stressful and overwhelming, so it is important to stay as informed as possible. Learn more about the legal considerations of e-bike accidents.
Do you have questions?
Please contact us to schedule a consultation:
Frank J. Coughlin, Esq.
Frank J. Coughlin, Prof. Law Corp.
17853 Santiago Blvd., 107-353 Villa Park, CA 92861
Phone: (714) 558 – 7886
Email: fjcoughlin@fjclaw.com
Website: https://www.fjclaw.com