Electric bicycles offer a convenient way to commute, exercise or simply get around without relying entirely on a car. Their growing popularity, however, has inspired significant safety and public health concerns for riders, motorists and pedestrians.
Because an e-bike can travel faster and accelerate differently than a traditional bicycle, riders should understand the risks they’re taking – and how to address those risks – by traveling this way before heading onto the road.
Concerns that riders cannot afford to ignore
Drivers may see a bicycle approaching but underestimate how quickly an e-bike is traveling. If you (or your child) is planning to ride an e-bike, you’ll want to emphasize visibility as a result of this risk. Use front and rear lights, wear visible clothing and avoid lingering in motorists’ blind spots. At intersections and driveways, assume a driver may not accurately judge your speed.
Additionally, electric assistance can make it easy for inexperienced riders to travel faster than their skills may otherwise comfortably support. Reduce speed around pedestrians, sharp turns, parked vehicles and congested areas. Give yourself sufficient distance to stop safely.
Distraction and impairment present risks regardless of how a bicycle is powered. Keep your attention on surrounding traffic, avoid unnecessary phone use and never ride while impaired. The stakes of an e-bike ride are far too great to be underestimated in these ways.
With all of this said, it’s important to acknowledge that even especially careful riders can be injured because of another person’s negligence. E-bike crashes may involve distracted drivers, unsafe roadway conditions or defective equipment. In the event that you experience a serious collision, know that an experienced legal team can investigate what happened, identify potentially responsible parties and explain your options for seeking compensation.
