Fact Check: Are ebikes safe?

Are E-Bikes Safe?

Introduction

The safety of e-bikes has become a topic of increasing concern as their popularity surges. Reports indicate a significant rise in injuries associated with e-bikes and e-scooters, prompting questions about their safety for riders and pedestrians alike. This article will explore the available data and expert opinions surrounding e-bike safety without drawing a definitive conclusion.

What We Know

1. Injury Statistics: According to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), e-bike injuries increased by nearly 21% from 2021 to 2022, with a total of 23,493 injuries reported in 2022 alone, up from 751 in 2017 13. The report indicates that nearly half of all e-bike injuries from 2017 to 2022 occurred in 2022 1.

2. Demographics and Helmet Use: Research from the University of California, San Francisco, highlights that e-bike riders tend to be older and less likely to wear helmets compared to conventional cyclists. Only 43% of e-bike and e-scooter riders wore helmets, compared to 52% of traditional cyclists 23.

3. Public Health Concerns: An article from the American College of Surgeons describes e-bikes as an emerging public health hazard, citing local emergency declarations in cities like Carlsbad and Encinitas due to fatalities associated with e-bike accidents 5.

4. Comparative Safety: A report from The Roundup suggests that e-bikes are generally as safe as traditional bicycles when accounting for their higher speeds. Approximately 78.3% of e-bike users report feeling safe riding on public roads 6.

5. Accident Trends: Data indicates that e-bike injuries have doubled annually from 2017 to 2022, while e-scooter injuries have risen by 45% each year 210. The CPSC estimates that there were at least 233 deaths linked to e-bike accidents from 2017 to 2022 9.

Analysis

The data presented from various sources indicates a troubling trend in e-bike-related injuries, raising legitimate concerns about their safety. The CPSC report is a primary source, providing a comprehensive overview of injury statistics. However, it is important to consider the potential limitations of this data, including the possibility that increased awareness and reporting may contribute to higher injury counts.

The University of California, San Francisco's findings on helmet use among e-bike riders suggest that lower safety gear usage could be a contributing factor to the rising injury rates. However, the study does not provide a direct causal link between helmet use and injury severity, which would require more detailed research.

The American College of Surgeons' characterization of e-bikes as a public health hazard is significant, but it is essential to note that this source may have an agenda to promote safety regulations or public health initiatives. Therefore, while their concerns are valid, the framing of e-bikes as a "hazard" could reflect a bias towards advocating for stricter regulations rather than an objective assessment of safety.

Conversely, The Roundup's assertion that e-bikes are as safe as traditional bicycles may downplay the risks associated with their higher speeds and the rising injury statistics. This source appears to take a more optimistic view, which could be influenced by a pro-e-bike stance.

Overall, while the statistics indicate a clear rise in injuries, the context surrounding these figures, including rider behavior and safety practices, is crucial for a balanced understanding of e-bike safety.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion regarding e-bike safety is deemed "Partially True" based on the evidence presented. The significant increase in reported injuries, as highlighted by the CPSC, suggests that e-bikes pose safety risks, particularly among riders who may not use helmets. However, the comparative safety data indicates that e-bikes may not be inherently more dangerous than traditional bicycles when considering user perception and riding conditions.

It is important to recognize that while the rise in injury statistics raises valid concerns, the context of these figures—such as increased reporting and the demographics of riders—adds complexity to the narrative. The evidence does not provide a definitive conclusion about e-bike safety, as various factors, including rider behavior and safety practices, play a role in the overall assessment.

Moreover, the limitations of the available data must be acknowledged. The statistics may be influenced by factors such as increased awareness of e-bike usage and reporting practices, which could skew the perception of their safety.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the nuances involved in discussions about e-bike safety.

Sources

1. E-Scooter and E-Bike Injuries Soar: 2022 Injuries Increased ... - CPSC. Link
2. Electric Scooter and Bike Accidents Are Soaring Across the U.S. - UCSF. Link
3. The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe? - Harvard Health. Link
4. E-Bike Accident Statistics 2023 - Goldberg & Loren Personal Injury. Link
5. Electric Bikes Are Emerging as Public Health Hazard - American College of Surgeons. Link
6. 51 Official Ebike Statistics & Facts 2025 - TheRoundup. Link
7. E-Bike Accident Statistics: How Dangerous Are They? - Atlee Hall. Link
8. E-bike crashes 'emerging as a public health threat,' data shows - WPTV. Link
9. E-Bike Accident Statistics: How Dangerous Are They? - Atlee Hall. Link
10. E-Bike And E-Scooter Accidents Are Soaring, Study Finds - Forbes. Link