Electric bikes, or E-bikes are all the rage.  From pre-teens to senior citizens, people of all ages are enjoying bicycling on E-bikes.  Here are some things you should know before getting on an E-bike.

1. E-bikes are powerful. Electric motors have a lot of torque, making them fast – very fast.  Many people get hurt using them.  Just like electric cars, they accelerate quickly.  Not expecting such a sudden surge of power, people have been thrown off an E-bike – and injured – on their 1st try.   So be aware of this before you ride.  Have the bike demonstrated to you before you get on it.  Be sure to wear a well-fitted and secure bicycle helmet.   Don’t wear loose clothing or have loose shoe laces that can get caught in the chain, the wheels or the brakes.  And be sure to take the E-bike to an open, flat and little used parking lot where you can practice starting, stopping, sudden braking and turning – all of which have a learning curve on an E-bike – and are not the same as riding a bicycle.  Don’t just get on an E-bike and ride – that would be a big mistake!  E-bikes are much heavier than a regular bicycle, weighing about 65 lbs.  They have larger, wider tires, sometimes called “fat” tires.  The driver of an E-bike sits taller and straighter than on a bicycle.  For these reasons an E-bike is more cumbersome to ride than a bicycle.  It’s heavier to pedal when not under electric power, and it’s slower and more cumbersome to stop, or turn,  due to its larger tires and weight.
2. E-bikes are not toys. I’ve seen adolescent boys and girls riding 2 on an E-bike – on heavily trafficked winding roads no less.  This is a recipe for disaster.  Don’t do it, and don’t let your kids do it.  E-bikes are powerfully fast and potentially very dangerous to the user and those nearby.   They should never be ridden with 2 on a bike or on heavily trafficked roads.  Always remember, an E-bike is a mini-motorcycle.   Again, it’s not a toy and should never be treated as such.  In fact, there are several Consumer Product Safety reports that document the types of injuries that users of E-bikes have sustained, including fractures, contusions, concussions and head, neck and back trauma. It’s a mini-motorcycle – not a bicycle.
3. Most E-bikes are “Class 2” meaning that they have different levels of “pedal assist” and that they can also be operated via a “throttle” – with no pedaling needed. Pedal assist means that the electric motor will assist you during pedaling, making pedaling far easier. Different levels of pedal assist means that you can adjust how much power you get from the electric motor, depending on the riding condition, (for instance, going up a steep hill you’ll likely want more pedal assist from the E-bike).
4. Careful: Just because you know how to ride a bicycle, don’t overestimate your ability to ride an E-bike.  They’re worlds apart.  An E-bike is much more like a motorcycle than it is a bicycle.  It has a powerful motor that bicycles don’t have.  It takes time to learn how to operate it safely, how to accelerate and how to steer;  how to turn and how to stop.  Don’t be an overly-confident know-it-all or you’ll wind up thrown on the ground before you know it.

Insurance & E-bikes:  What if I cause an accident while riding my E-bike? 

Interestingly, if you cause an accident while riding your bicycle, many homeowners insurance policies would cover you for that loss and the injuries or damage that you caused to others.   However, homeowners policy do not cover E-bikes.  Like motorcycles, you need a separate insurance policy for an E-bike.  That fact alone should tell you how different E-bikes are from bicycles.  Insurance companies recognize the big difference between them and don’t treat them the same.

What if I am injured in an accident while riding my E-bike?

If the accident was caused by someone else, (a 3^rd party), for example, by a car that suddenly cut you off, the driver of that car and his/her insurance policy would be responsible for your injuries and damages — no different than if they cut you off while you were riding your bicycle and were injured.

What if the driver of that car didn’t have insurance, or enough insurance to cover the damages that he/she caused you?

For that reason I recommend that owners of E-bikes obtain a separate insurance policy that covers their E-bike.  It should provide for liability coverage of $500k; Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage of $500k; and “medical payments” benefits of the maximum amount available.   This protects you while riding your E-bike in the unfortunate event of an accident that was not your fault.

Many E-bike companies have a Warning in their Instruction Manual to let people know that their homeowner policies do not cover E-bikes and that you should consult with your insurance agent when purchasing an E-bike.

As a lawyer who has owned and driven E-bikes for years, and who has extensive experience in accident and injury claims and monetary recoveries, feel free to call me, Attorney Harvey Kulawitz, should you have any questions concerning E-bikes, insurance claims involving them or the best insurance coverage to protect you when riding them.

If you have been hurt in an accident involving a bicycle or an E-bike, call me, Attorney Harvey J. Kulawitz at 203-438-4114  x 24 and I will help you out!