Common Injuries to E-Bike Riders

Published on Apr 28, 2022 at 5:44 pm in Electric Scooters and Bikes.

Sharing the road with electric bikes, or e-bikes, users is a new reality. As global warming continues heating up the planet and vehicles not powered by fossil fuel become more readily available, e-bikes, e-scooters, and cyclists in general all need to safely share the road. Just like cars tend to lose in car vs. truck collisions, e-bike riders tend to lose in car vs. e-bike collisions. 

This article will explore some common injuries to e-bike riders. If you suffered injuries in the San Diego area, reach out to a bike accident lawyer right away. 

Common E-Bike Injuries

Typical e-bike injuries are a result of being hit by cars, hitting pedestrians and fixed objects, falling, and, less frequently, battery fires. Only certain e-bike riders are required to wear helmets in California, but a helmet also only provides a certain degree of protection. 

These are some common injuries experienced by e-bike riders:

• Internal bleeding
• Punctured lungs
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Bruises, cuts, sprains, dislocations

Lower body injuries tend to be the most typical e-bike crash results, particularly broken legs. People riding e-bikes are often accustomed to traveling at slower non-motorized bike speeds and misjudge obstacles and curves due to the faster speed of an e-bike. Furthermore, normally a heavier vehicle means you are better protected in a crash. Unfortunately, the fact that e-bikes outweigh regular bikes just means there are more injuries due to a heavier bike falling on the rider.

E-Bikes Are Gaining in Popularity

You probably already noticed that e-bikes are becoming increasingly popular. The numbers are pretty interesting:

• The most popular e-bike is the pedal-assisted type, which accounts for almost 90% of e-bikes globally.
• The e-bike market is estimated at around $15 billion and is expected to grow another 7 to 8 percent before 2025.
• By 2023, there will be an estimated 40 million e-bikes in use, pumping at least $20 billion into the U.S. economy alone. 
• Urban use is the most common application for e-bikes (so if you live in a rural area, you might be confused about all the e-bike hype).

Know the Three Types of E-Bikes

E-bikes are broken into three categories in California: Class 1, 2, and 3.

• Class 1: pedal-assisted e-bikes in which the only way to activate the motor is by pedaling
• Class 2: e-bikes with a throttle (so pedaling is not required to move)
• Class 3: these e-bikes have speedometers because the pedal-assisted motors don’t stop until the e-bike reaches 28 mph

Under California law, e-bikes are categorized as regular bikes, not as vehicles. This means you do not need a driver’s license to legally operate one. So e-bikes can be ridden on streets (right side, with the flow of traffic), riders must use a hand signal before turning, riding under the influence is prohibited, and cars must pass them at a safe distance.

Consult with a San Diego Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you were injured in an e-bike accident, our e-bike accident lawyers at Ride App Law Group can help. Hire an attorney who knows e-bike law well so you get the maximum settlement possible. Contact us now to arrange a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.