E-bikes are gaining popularity, with 7% of people riding them at least once a month. However, e-bikes pose a higher injury risk than traditional bicycles, with injury patterns distinct from scooters.
In the Netherlands, e-bike riders were 1.6 times more likely to visit the emergency room than regular bicyclists.
In this article, you'll learn about e-bike accidents, including annual statistics, breakdowns by state, death rates, and loss and damage rates. Let's dive in!
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- E-bike injuries in California increased by 70% from 2017 to 2020
- From 2000 to 2017, 17% of e-bike accidents in New York caused internal injuries, compared to 7.5% for pedal bikes and powered scooters.
- There were 53 e-bike fatalities in the US between 2017 and 2021.
- From 2017 to 2020, battery-powered products caused more than 190,000 emergency room visits and at least 71 deaths.
- E-scooter, e-bike, and hoverboard injuries and fatalities rose 127% from 2017 to 2021.
- In 2019, e-bike collisions caused 3,217 deaths in China, representing a 41% increase compared to 2018.
- Bicycle injuries and deaths, including e-bikes, typically exceed $23 billion in costs in the United States annually.
- Approximately 3.8% is the annual likelihood of an electric bike being stolen.
- E-bike ACC claims have surged five-fold in five years, costing over $4 million in the previous year.
- Most insurance policies cover stolen or damaged e-bikes up to $1,500.
How Many E-Bike Accidents Happen in a Year?
Injuries caused by the products have been slowly increasing, sending 34,000 people to the hospital in 2017 and 57,800 people in 2020.
These numbers show how these injuries could affect people and their healthcare services. It's a reminder to increase safety, public awareness, and laws to protect e-bike riders and the public.
In the following sections, let's study e-bike statistics to fully understand their significance, key facts, and impact.
E-Bike Accidents by State
In the United States, 19 people die every week while riding a bike. This is the highest number of bike riders who have died in the past few decades.
Based on the National Highway Road Safety Administration (NHTSA), road deaths in the country have increased by 10.5% since 2020. Bikes account for only 2% of all road deaths.
Now, let's look at the incidences of e-bike accidents by state:
1. E-bike injuries in California increased by 70% from 2017 to 2020.
(AVA Law Group)
Between 2017 and 2020, e-bike injuries increased by 70%, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
A recent study found that e-bikes had more than triple the likelihood of collisions with pedestrians compared to pedal bicycles or powered scooters.
Common e-bike injuries can vary from minor to fatal, including:
- Internal injuries
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Shoulder and knee tears
- Neck and back injuries
2. From 2000 to 2017, 17% of e-bike accidents in New York caused internal injuries, compared to 7.5% for pedal bikes and powered scooters.
(RMF&W Law Group)
Analysis of data from emergency departments between 2000 and 2017 showed that victims of e-bike accidents had a 17% likelihood of suffering internal injuries.
Pedal bikes and motor scooters, on the other hand, have a risk of 7.5%. Even low-speed e-bike accidents can result in serious injuries, including:
- Head and neck injuries
- Cerebral concussions
- Internal injuries
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Facial trauma
- Back injuries
Unlike pedal bikes and powered scooters, e-bike crashes are more likely to cause internal injuries.
E-Bike Accident Fatality Statistics
With the increasing popularity of e-bikes, it becomes crucial to comprehend the risks involved in riding them.
A recent UCLA study shows that the fatality rate for e-bike rides is 19 per 100 million. In contrast, motorcycles have 537 fatalities per 100 million, whereas traditional bicycles have 21.
For more information regarding e-bike fatalities, see the numbers below:
3. There were 53 e-bike fatalities in the US between 2017 and 2021.
(Bicycle Retailer)
Between 2017 and 2021, there were 53 e-bike fatalities, 8 hoverboard fatalities, and 68 e-scooter fatalities. Among the e-bike fatalities, 46 victims were male, and 7 were female.
Among e-bike fatalities, the age group with the highest number of deaths was 18-29, with 33 fatalities, followed by the 60-and-over group with 17 deaths.
No e-bike fatalities were reported for riders under 18, although the victim's age was unknown in three cases. Based on the ages of the e-bike riders who died, it seems that young adults and older people are especially at risk.
4. From 2017 to 2020, battery-powered products caused more than 190,000 emergency room visits and at least 71 deaths.
(CBS News)
Battery-powered transportation goods are considered environmentally friendly and cost-effective for short distances. However, at least 71 people have died, and over 190,000 have gone to the emergency department due to them.
The number of injuries caused by these products has been slowly increasing, from 34,000 in 2017 to 57,800 in the most recent year.
5. E-scooter, e-bike, and hoverboard injuries and fatalities rose 127% from 2017 to 2021.
(CPSC)
Micro-mobility injuries have experienced a 127% increase since 2017. These are the main findings from the CPSC report spanning 2017 to 2021:
- 117,600 individuals received medical treatment due to electric scooter incidents.
- 68 fatalities were recorded as a result of scooter accidents.
- Hoverboards were associated with 8 reported deaths.
The study also shows that people between 18 and 59 had the most deaths from e-scooter and bike accidents, more than any other age group.
6. In 2019, e-bike collisions caused 3,217 deaths in China, representing a 41% increase compared to 2018.
(WHO)
In China, head injuries account for 75% of e-bike rider deaths and 80% of severe injuries. As many victims are in their prime income-earning years, they lose considerable income, which stresses the person and their family.
E-bike Loss/Damage Statistics
E-bike loss and damage result in financial burdens for individuals and impact the broader e-bike industry and sustainability efforts.
According to the National Bike Registry, 250,000 bikes are stolen annually in the US. Given their higher value and desirability, e-bikes are attractive to thieves.
Let's dive into the statistics related to e-bike loss and damage.
7. Bicycle injuries and deaths, including e-bikes, typically exceed $23 billion in costs in the US annually.
(ALM, CDC)
Every year, road crashes kill approximately 1,000 bicyclists and injure over 130,000, including traditional and e-bikers. Bicycle injuries and deaths also cost a lot of money every year.
The CDC states that the annual costs of bicycle injuries and deaths resulting from crashes in the United States are over $23 billion.
8. Approximately 3.8% is the annual likelihood of an electric bike being stolen.
(Yahoo)
Studies have shown that electric bikes are stolen three times more often than regular bikes because they are worth more.
In the UK, the annual theft rate stands at 1.3% for traditional bikes, while it jumps to 3.8% for electric bikes. These figures show electric bikes' higher theft risk.
9. E-bike ACC claims have surged five-fold in five years, costing over $4 million in the previous year.
(stuff.co)
In five years, the number of insurance claims linked to e-bikes has increased by five, costing more than $4 million last year. Most e-bike-related accident claims came from people between 60 and 74.
A cycle shop owner says that from 2018 to 2022, the number of electric bikes sold in New Zealand went from 1 in every 5 to 4. Insurance claims related to e-bikes have also significantly increased.
Older people make more injury claims, showing the rising influence of e-bikes on the insurance industry and the need for increased coverage and risk education.
10. Most insurance policies cover stolen or damaged e-bikes up to $1,500.
(Forbes)
Most insurance plans for e-bikes will pay up to $1,500 if the bike is stolen or damaged. However, this amount may not be enough for people with more expensive e-bikes.
Moreover, numerous insurance plans do not cover damages caused to third parties. E-bike riders are responsible for paying medical bills, lost wages, or any other damages they may cause to pedestrians.
Final Thoughts
The increasing popularity of e-bikes brings both benefits and risks. While convenient and eco-friendly, they come with a greater risk of injury than regular bicycles.
This emphasizes the need for e-bike safety, public awareness, and practical solutions. By doing so, we can promote the well-being of e-bike riders and maintain this popular means of transportation.
