Electric bikes it may seem like a fun and quick way to get around. But how safe are they?
Safety concerns about electric bikes have been reignited after reports surfaced that Simon Cowell He reportedly broke his arm while riding one last week, more than a year after he broke his back in multiple places while testing a new electric bike in his Malibu, California, backyard in 2020.
A representative for Cowell told USA TODAY on Wednesday that the “America’s Got Talent” Judge broke his arm and is recovering well. The first time he crashed, Cowell underwent a six-hour surgery that included the placement of a metal bar in his back.
Cowell, 62, is not alone in riding an electric bike. Research analyst Ryan Citron of the consulting group guide house confirmed to the edge that sales of electric bicycles “have increased rapidly” as consumers seek “more options for personal mobility and physically distanced transportation in the age of COVID.”
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In 2019, wholesale bicycle sales decreased in all categories except electric bicycles, which increased 24.7% from the previous year, according to a study. Bicycle Products Suppliers Association Sales Report. Trek Bike Manufacturer Described electric bikes as the company’s fastest growing segment, Y Deloitte predicts that more than 130 million electric bicycles will be sold between 2020 and 2023, with electric bicycle sales expected to exceed 40 million units worldwide.
So what exactly is an electric bike? And how is it different from a standard bicycle or motorcycle? While an electric bike may seem typical, an electric bike has an electric motor to help riders get around with less pedaling effort, which is useful for rocky or uphill rides.
They can be a fun way to travel, if used correctly. It’s important to note that electric bikes vary greatly in speed, with some reaching 60 mph, similar to an electric motorcycle.
USA TODAY spoke with two e-bike experts, who offer their safety tips for potential e-bike users.
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Make sure all parts of the electric bike are installed correctly
Bob Dowling, a tactical electric bike expert and consultant for the manufacturer CalmKatIt is important to check that the front tire is properly attached. If you don’t have the mechanical experience to install the front tire yourself, see a certified bicycle specialist.
Read the manual from cover to cover before getting on the electric bike
“A good tip… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time,” cowell tweeted after his first accident.
A person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to USA TODAY in 2020 that during his first accident, Cowell was traveling in a WIND EB-01 e-bike, described by the manufacturer as “the most technically advanced and powerful electric bike on the market” with a 15kW electric motor.
Forgetting to read the manual is not an uncommon problem. Riders need to understand what the torque of their electric bike is.
He notes that Cowell may not have expected “the tremendous power and torque of his new electric bike. He may have done a wheelie when he first took off, probably trying to turn the bike.”
always wear a helmet
Helmets are the most critical piece of safety equipment for electric and pedal bikes, says micah Toll, an e-bike advocate and journalist from Electrek.
“Most electric bikes are actually quite similar to pedal bikes, with riders typically reaching speeds of 20 to 25 mph on flat terrain,” says Toll. “At these speeds, a helmet is essential to prevent head trauma in the event of a crash.”
Keep everything, including pants and shoelaces, away from the chain.
Dowling suggests wrapping the bottoms of baggy pants with duct tape or taping shoelaces to prevent them from snagging on the chain while biking.
Pedal within your limits and step on the accelerator carefully
While electric bikes are functionally similar to pedal bikes, an electric bike’s motor can help riders ride farther and longer. However, Toll emphasizes, it’s important not to overdo it, especially on first trips.
Along with an electric motor to increase pedal power, some electric bikes also have a hand throttle that doesn’t require pedaling. New riders should use the throttle sparingly at first and take time to get used to controlling their bike, says Toll.
Practice situational awareness at all times.
“Think like the car in front of and behind you,” advises Dowling. Other motorists may think of you as “just a bicycle,” not realizing that you are approaching intersections and other junctions at the same speed as a motorcycle or other motorized vehicle.
Get acquainted with your electric bike in a park or parking lot
The extra power of a typical electric bike can surprise new riders, so it’s safer to get acquainted with an electric bike away from cars or other hazards, says Toll.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism