By Leon R. Symanski, Esq.
When I was a kid I absolutely LOVED to ride my bike. I dreamed of getting the cool Schwinn with 5 speeds, hand brakes, and the banana seat with sissy-bar and shiny chrome accessories for my birthday or Christmas. Riding a bike is a great way to stay in shape and to get you to your destination, whether it be a beach cruiser, a mountain bike, or a touring-type bike. However, over the past few years, the trend has turned to Electric Bikes. But as battery-powered bicycles grow in popularity, safety concerns are growing too.
What are E-Bikes? The term “e-bike” refers to two-wheeled electric-motor-assisted bicycles. E-bikes are produced with all the features of a regular bicycle with the addition of an electric motor that generates less than 750 watts. There are basically three types of e-bikes:
Class 1: The motor assists the rider only when the rider pedals, and it stops assisting at 20 mph.
Class 2: The motor can propel the bicycle without the rider pedaling, up to 20 mph.
Class 3: The motor assists the rider only when the rider is pedaling and stops assisting when the bike reaches 28 mph.
An e-bike allows riders of any skill or fitness level to reach significant speeds. For reference, Tour de France riders average 25 to 28 mph on flat terrain. Riding an e-bike is significantly different from riding a conventional bike. First of all, e-bikes are much heavier because of the frame, the motor, and the battery. If you are considering purchasing an e-bike for your minor child, please take into consideration your child’s ability to manage the weight when steering or in the event of a fall. Also, please take into consideration the acceleration and speed of an e-bike. Don’t assume your child can operate an e-bike just because they know how to ride a conventional bicycle.
ALWAYS make sure to wear a helmet when riding an e-bike. This protects the brain, head, and face from serious injuries in case of a crash. Make sure the helmet fits properly and that it’s strapped on (not just worn like an uncomfortable hat). The helmet should be snug, level, and secure.
E-bikes go fast. Riders should be aware of the terrain and road surface. Riding on dirt, sand or gravel is not the same as riding on a paved surface. The weight and speed of an e-bike on an unpaved surface pose a much higher risk for an injury-related crash. Riders must always make sure they obey all traffic safety laws and be cognizant of their surroundings at all times. E-bike riders should utilize hand signals and should be equipped with a headlight, a taillight, and reflectors.
E-bikes can be a lot of fun if the rider follows all of the safety requirements listed herein. But they can also cause serious injuries or death if the rider is careless and does not take safety seriously. If you or someone you know has been injured while operating an e-bike, please contact me at Craig P. Kenny & Associates for a free consultation. Thank you very much for your loyalty and your referrals.
