Electric bicycles (e-bikes) have been trending over the last few years, partly because cycling was a popular pandemic hobby. But today, e-bikes are getting increasingly negative press for safety issues, including high-speed crashes, fires, and explosions. The lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes have led to fires that immolated whole apartment buildings, causing at least three deaths in New York City alone this year.
E-bike ridership has roughly doubled in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. It’s thrilling to cruise the city streets or get a lift while pedaling up a steep hill. E-bikes are fun, but how can enthusiasts protect themselves and their families?
Weighing the Dangers of Electric Bicycles
When you shop for an eBike, there are many factors and features to consider, such as drive mode (pedal assist versus throttle), speed, mileage, charge time, and weight. Each factor plays a role in whether or not a particular make and model is the best—and safest—choice for you or a loved one.
But eBike batteries and their safety issues shouldn’t be overlooked. Without the proper research—and following precautions as an owner—eBike batteries can pose serious risks, as anyone who has followed recent stories about related fires in this area will know.
Safety First: How to Keep Yourself and Loved Ones Safe Around E-Bikes
There are many ways to protect yourself when using an electric bike. Some of these are specific to the use of batteries, which are an added safety concern. Others are basic guidelines for bicycle safety, no matter what cycle you ride.
Here are nine safety tips that cyclists should practice on the road and at home:
- Know what kind of battery comes stocked with the electric bike you are buying, and look for batteries with a UL certification—avoid counterfeit batteries
- Only use the charger included with your bike, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper charging
- Be present while charging your e-bike, and don’t charge it while sleeping
- Unplug your e-bike once it is fully charged
- Charge your e-bike away from flammable materials, like bedding or furniture
- Make sure you wear (and buckle!) your helmet, and ensure it hasn’t already been compromised by being cracked in a crash or a drop
- Wear high-visibility clothes and long pants or sleeves to protect yourself from road rash
- Attach powerful lights to the back and front of your bike and put lights or reflectors in the wheels so you can be seen easily from the side
- Ride in bike lanes or on the road, not on sidewalks where cars and pedestrians won’t expect you to be
These safety tips are best practices, and most of them aren’t encoded in local laws. That means it’s up to you to implement them. If you stay vigilant and spread the word about rider safety, you can keep enjoying your bicycle and your improved health from riding for years to come.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in an Ebike Accident?
If you suffer an injury or an accident on an electric bike, you have options for asserting your rights. You’ll want to rely on a legal team that understands eBike bike injuries and can help you bring a case forward with the best chances for success.
Stark & Stark has a wide variety of experienced attorneys who take on personal injury cases and locations in Princeton, Marlton, Philadelphia, New York, and Yardley. Contact us if you or someone you know has faced an injury due to an eBike.
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Injuries caused by e-scooters and e-bikes increased steeply from 2021 to 2022, highlighting the serious risks associated with these transportation devices (officially known as “micromobility products”).