Electric Bicycle Fatalities & Injuries Are Rising

[AZOldTech]

When e-bikers start killing not just themselves but pedestrians as well, I can foresee that some rules are coming to be put in place to protect the public IMO.
Electric Bicycle Fatalities & Injuries Are Rising
https://cleantechnica.com/2018/10/31/electric-bicycle-fatalities-injuries-are-rising/

In London, UK last month, Sakine Cihan was hit by an electric bicycle and subsequently died in the hospital. This tragic incident isn’t alone. Electric bicycles have been implicated in deaths in studies from the Netherlands, Israel, and Beijing, although almost all of those fatalities were on the part of cyclists, not pedestrians. Studies in Israel and Switzerlandfound more injuries, again almost entirely to users of electric bicycles, not others.
........much more
UK's first electric bicycle death as female pedestrian dies in hospital after 'hit-and-run'
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...icycle-death-female-pedestrian-dies-hospital/

 

[LewSchiller]

Terrible...but anything moving striking something walking is going to end up badly.
"
Department for Transport figures show that between 2007 and 2016, pedestrians killed in collisions involving cyclists represented 0.6 per cent of total casualties on UK roads at 29. Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at the national charity Cycling UK, said: "The statistics show cyclists, whether on a conventional or e-bike, present a minimal danger to others. "
"Given the limitations and current laws governing e-bikes, Cycling UK does not believe there is any reason to suggest their use poses any greater risk to the public than a normal pedal cycle."

 

[AHicks]

A perfect example of 2 very different spins on very similar type incidents. One glass half full, the other half empty.

 

[AZOldTech]

I think it is logical to assume that when you allow a little throttle button to take you >20mph, accidents will happen. When you add to that inexperienced people who never would have gone >20mph even on a regular bike, AND older age people, injuries and fatalities will increase. That is not to say that there were not any injuries by regular bikers before, just that when you add a motor to the equation in addition to speed and an inexperienced older rider, injuries (and fatalities too) would go up.

 

[slowguy]

I thought the physics of stopping from high mph and the high percentage of men over 60 involved in bad events, was interesting and thought provoking. We certainly have lower response rates and fitness to correct for or avoid events. It feels great to have a 16 mph run down a trail and then you realize a really badly lying walnut shell on a wet trail could ruin a nice day. The article is worth a full read if you are over 60 and are one of the many readers here who want more speed.

 

[slowguy]

Sorry should have included this quote from the article.
" In the Netherlands, the study shows that it’s mostly older male cyclists who are ending up in the hospital or worse. 31 of 38 fatalities in the study were men over 65. The study’s authors point to several factors which combine to cause issues. The increased speed of the electric bicycles vs pedal bikes in the same age cohort suggests that reduced time to react combined with slower reaction times was a factor."

 

[harryS]

London surveillance video of the first accident. No idea of the biker's speed, but an analyst could figure it out. Appears that the woman ran into the street, either expecting to beat the cyclist who had the light, or didn't see him. The cyclist did leave the scene.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/video/news...d-gets-struck-by-cyclist-on-electric-bicycle/

 

[Philly5834]

When e-bikers start killing not just themselves but pedestrians as well, I can foresee that some rules are coming to be put in place to protect the public IMO.
Electric Bicycle Fatalities & Injuries Are Rising
https://cleantechnica.com/2018/10/31/electric-bicycle-fatalities-injuries-are-rising/

In London, UK last month, Sakine Cihan was hit by an electric bicycle and subsequently died in the hospital. This tragic incident isn’t alone. Electric bicycles have been implicated in deaths in studies from the Netherlands, Israel, and Beijing, although almost all of those fatalities were on the part of cyclists, not pedestrians. Studies in Israel and Switzerlandfound more injuries, again almost entirely to users of electric bicycles, not others.
........much more
UK's first electric bicycle death as female pedestrian dies in hospital after 'hit-and-run'
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...icycle-death-female-pedestrian-dies-hospital/

Interesting and, I think, an important caution for seniors. The same factors that might lead a senior to use an e-bike rather than a diamond frame

 

[larry-new]

This is a motorized vehicle. Knowing how to ride a bicycle is not enough...there are other things that must be learned.

Stopping at speed takes practice...any higher speed than you're used to travelling, combined with riding a heavier vehicle.

 

[Philly5834]

Interesting point. Ran into the Amsterdam figures earlier while doing some research. I figured out that the same factors that might lead seniors to seek out e-bikes--decreased mobility and flexibility as a result of aging--, might decrease their ability to control an e-bike. Indeed, on my e-trike, once or twice I've found myself startled by a sudden surge of speed when I temporarily turned on the e-assist to facilitate my crossing a street, But forewarned is forearmed-- we just have to be aware of the potential of that little motor.

 

[larry-new]

Unfortunately, the ebike can be used to speed a rider well past their bike handling experience...all exhilarating until those pesky stops and turns. I'd be a fool to attempt trail riding, for example, when my entire riding experience has been on paved roads...I'd be starting over. Traffic situations are similar...choose wisely, be very visible, learn more each day.

 

[PaD]

I think that, regardless of age, a lot of new e-bikers ride faster in various places and situations because with the e-bike they accelerate so much quicker than they could with their regular bicycle. This causes potentionally dangerous situations more often in e.g. crowded places.

 

[LewSchiller]

View attachment 26971
I think that, regardless of age, a lot of new e-bikers ride faster in various places and situations because with the e-bike they accelerate so much quicker than they could with their regular bicycle. This causes potentionally dangerous situations more often in e.g. crowded places.

I just went through a bit of brain damage to figure out how to reset my controller from "power" to "Eco" since I found my pedal assist to be too aggressive. The slightest pedal movement caused a surge of acceleration that was hard to control. Now it's more of a "sweep".

 

[PaD]

I just went through a bit of brain damage to figure out how to reset my controller from "power" to "Eco" since I found my pedal assist to be too aggressive. The slightest pedal movement caused a surge of acceleration that was hard to control. Now it's more of a "sweep".

Most e-bikes in Turbo or max setting can in the hands (or feet) of a novice present Youtube-worthy moments.
Eco mode was my setting for 98% of wy riding. My Vado was in my opinion a bit slow from a standstill as I had to pedal 1/3 or 1/2 a turn of crank before motor assist kicked in. Well it didn’t kick really, it was quite smooth.
But still most e-bikes reaches speed very much quicker than most cyclist do with their regulars bikes.
Maybe that delay is a good thing after all. I think I’ll go for a Vado again after winter.

 

[Drew]

Mike, thanks for sharing what you see as the shortcomings of the article, but I think your position is grossly exaggerated. Furthermore, as a an e-bike reseller, you're hardly unbiased yourself.

 

[DDBB]

I think Mike was pretty much spot on w/ his post. The ebike accident negative reporting is what's grossly exaggerated.. JMO

 

[AZOldTech]

You better believe it Mike's position is biased and grossly exaggerated. But let's all shut out the "fake news media" or what he calls it "lamestream media"... cause what we won't hear or read won't hurt us... sheesh... too bad these same people don't take their own advice and shut out the REAL fake news media that always lie the loudest to peddle their fake news...

There is nothing fake that ebikes give access to anyone at any age to go speeds that they have never gone before. So an increase in accidents is bound to happen.

 

[AZOldTech]

From the Netherlands: Electric bike injuries mount, 102 e-cyclists have died since 2014
https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2018/...es-mount-102-e-cyclists-have-died-since-2014/
In total, people on e-bikes were involved in 341 accidents in the first part of 2018, a 26% rise on 2017, the paper said, quoting police and insurance company figures. Since 2014, 102 e-bike users have died in traffic accidents, 23 of whom have died since the end of last September.

E-bike users are particularly prone to head, arm and leg injuries and their injuries are twice as likely to be serious than ordinary bike users, surgeon Jeroen Poos told the paper.

 

[DDBB]

The only speeds I've never gone before on my ebike compared to my acoustic bike is uphill where I might be going 7mph instead of walking......
"Even on flat terrain, a pro’s average speed needs to be tops in order to stay in the race. In fact. it’s usually about double that of an average rider.
Average Rider: 17-18 mph
Tour Pro: 25-28 mph"
Source:bicycling magazine. The only time my ebike speed average is higher is uphill and then I'm usually going less than 10mph. I can't see how I'd be twice as likely to be seriously injured in a fall off my ebike. Granted the ebike weighs more so there's a possible risk of more injury from the extra weight of the bike if it fell on top of me.. I ride about the same pace on my ebike as I do on a regular bike, I just go twice as far. Since I ride a class 1. My assist is about done at 17-18mph anyway. The surgeons math doesn't add up for me. How can he make such a statement? where did he get his data?

 

[Drew]

I read the original article. I read the reply I responded to. I stated my opinion, Just like everyone else in this thread. And I stand by my comments.

I'm not going to reply directly to anyone that tells me to "buzz off". That's just looking for a fight and I'm not biting. But I will avail myself of the forum features to ensure I do not interact with this person again.