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.