What is an E-Bike?
An “E-Bike” is short for “electronic bicycle.” They look very similar to a regular bike that operate with pedals, but also have a small electric motor and battery power. The motor supplements any pedaling that you do, so that you are propelled faster and with less effort. Most E-Bike motors kick in when you are pedaling and stop when you stop.
Did you know that there are 3 classes of E-Bike? In Type 1 the motor assists with pedaling but cuts out when the bike reaches 20mph. Type 2 is similar to Type 1, but offers a throttle to assist also. Type 3 goes faster and tops out at 28mph for the motor assist. REI has a good post about the basics of E-Bikes and how to select the right model for your needs. You can learn more from REI HERE.
What are the Dangerous of using an Electronic Bike?
Everyone knows that biking in general carries some risk. Especially when used on the roadway, biking puts riders are risk of crashes, collisions with cars, collisions with other cyclists, and pedestrians. Without the protective barrier of a car, bikers risk road rash, fractures, and trauma. Safety gear is known to cut down on the severity of injuries sustained.
Electronic bikes can present more risk due to factors like speed, additional weight of the motor, control issues, and experience level of the rider. The faster you ride, the more force you have in a crash. Higher speeds make handling, such as turns and avoiding obstacles, more difficult.
The American College of Surgeons warned these types of bikes were becoming a public health hazard last year. The article states that in 2024 US researchers reported a “49-fold increase in e-bike riders with head trauma nationally over the past 5 years.” While bicycle collisions have risen overall, there are more involving bikes with motors. The article suggests that changes in laws, use of proper safety equipment, requiring licenses, age limits and other restrictions may increase safety.
This physician on social media has been warning about the risks of E-Bikes. Dr. Joe comments HERE on an E-Bike red-light crash caught on video. Warning: the video is shocking, but the rider survives. He discusses whether minors are ready to handle a motorized vehicle with little to no supervision on the roadways.
Pennsylvania Laws Regarding E-Bikes
In Pennsylvania, electronic bicycles are not permitted on trails that are closed to other cyclists such as hiking trails, closed roads, and other natural areas. For more information about where you can ride in Pennsylvania check the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Other rules include that the bike must weigh less than 100 lbs; shall not exceed 20mph with motor; must have fully functional pedals. Fine out more HERE.
Legislatures in many states are continuing to mull over additional laws and regulations.
What to do if You were Injured in an E-Bike crash?
If you have been injured in a crash (whether on a regular bike or a motorized bike) you should contact an experienced attorney. Insurance rules and laws apply differently to bicycles than cars or trucks. For example, bikes are an exception to the limited tort rule on an auto policy. Don’t leave money on the table with an insurance carrier simply because you don’t have all of the information.
Graham & Mauer has been serving injured people in Southeastern and Central Pennsylvania since 1994. We are here to help. Call for a free consultation today.
