The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

E-bike popularity is booming. But are they as safe as regular bikes?

  • Written by Milad Haghani, Senior Lecturer of Urban Risk & Resilience, UNSW Sydney

The popularity of e-bikes has soared over the past decade. Shared electric bikes for rent[1] have become a common sight in major cities worldwide, while private ownership is also rising.

Since 2020, both sales[2] and import[3] of e-bikes have nearly tripled in Australia.

In Germany, nearly half of all bike sales[4] are now e-bikes.

Trends suggest these bikes – equipped with battery-powered motors[5] that assist the rider – will continue to replace many conventional car and bike trips.

But some serious questions about safety[6] remain – and in Australia we still don’t have the data to know how many injuries and even deaths e-bikes are connected to.

What international data tells us

The Netherlands is sometimes called a “cycling paradise[7]” thanks to its extensive cycling infrastructure[8] and high volume of bike riders.

For researchers, there’s another plus: the country maintains thorough records on cycling injuries and fatalities[9] from all types of bikes.

Data collected since 2000 shows Dutch cyclist fatalities remained relatively stable for almost two decades.

However, since 2018, this trend has begun to shift. Cyclist deaths hit a record high in 2022[10], with 291 fatalities reported — a nearly 25% increase on this century’s previous record (233 deaths in 2000).

This increase coincides with the rapid uptake of e-bikes. Between 2018 and 2021 the number of Dutch e-bike owners shot from 2.2 million to 3.1 million[11], while the number of regular bike owners declined.

Are e-bikes more deadly?

The Dutch data[12] shows a higher number of cycling crashes still involve regular bikes compared to e-bikes. However, that’s likely because there are simply more regular bikes overall.

When we control the data[13] for the number of e-bikes versus regular bikes, as well as the distance they tend to travel, we can compare the risk.

A clear trend emerges: e-bike riders face a higher risk of dying.

Data from China shows a similar trend.

Between 2011 and 2021, the number of accidents and fatalities per 100,000 people in the city of Guangzhou increased for e-bikes, but decreased for regular bikes[14].

E-bike fatalities in Guangzhou have continued to rise since 2018, while deaths linked to regular bikes have plateaued.

What about injuries?

Cycling also has non-fatal risks. To look at what kind of injuries e-bikes are involved in, and how severe they are, we can examine hospital data and compare this to regular bikes[15].

One clinical study looked at 557 patients who presented to a Swiss trauma centre[16] from 2010 to 2015. Traumatic brain injury was more frequent and more severe in e-bikers than in regular bike riders.

In Israel, the National Trauma Registry[17] records all hospitalisations. Between 2013—17 it revealed a dramatic increase in hospitalisation rates for injuries related to e-bikes, while those related to regular bikes decreased. E-bikers were also at greater risk of head injuries compared to regular bike riders.

However, other clinical studies have suggested the patterns of injury severity are similar[18] in riders of e-bikes and regular bikes. For example, a Dutch study found no difference in the frequency or severity of traumatic brain injuries[19].

So, are e-bikes more unsafe?

Clearly, there is variability across individual studies. But when we combine findings from multiple countries, some clear patterns emerge[20].

E-bike users are more likely to sustain injuries to their spine and lower extremities (hips, legs, ankles and feet) compared to regular cyclists.

When injured, they are more likely to be admitted to hospital wards or intensive care units, where they also have a higher chance of undergoing surgery – and of dying.

Do we know why e-bikes have greater risks?

Not exactly.

But speed is one prominent factor. E-bikes reach higher speeds with less effort – e-bike riders average around 13.3 km/h compared to 10.4 km/h[21] for regular cyclists.

E-bike riders may often be older[22] and inexperienced cyclists.

This combination of speed and potential physical limitations, along with the heavier weight of e-bikes[23], increases crash and injury risk.

In the Swiss study[24] above, injured e-bike riders admitted to hospital were significantly older compared to regular cyclists.

The Dutch data[25] also shows number of e-bike fatalities increases by age, especially for those aged 60 and older.

A man with a white beard speeds on an electric bike in the city.
People who rent e-bikes for quick city trips may not be experienced cyclists. tal mocho/Shutterstock[26]

E-bikes may be linked to other risky behaviours, including not wearing helmets, violating traffic rules and riding under the influence of alcohol – although we don’t have data to know if e-bikers do these more than regular cyclists.

But riders on shared e-bikes in particular are often less likely to wear helmets[27] compared to those on their own bikes. There may be hesitation around using shared helmets[28], for example, due to hygiene concerns.

What needs to change?

Trends suggest this green mode of transport is here to stay. But two key changes are needed to make e-bikes safer for riders, pedestrians and other road users in Australia.

First, Australia should establish a national registry that tracks injuries and fatalities[29] related to e-bikes. As we don’t currently collate these statistics, policymakers are forced to rely on international data.

Second, we need regulations tailored and proportional to the specific risks of e-bikes. This could mean stricter enforcement of helmet use, speed limits and better regulation of shared e-bike services, such as ensuring helmets are available and well-maintained.

As e-bikes increase in popularity, raising awareness about their risks[30] remains key.

References

  1. ^ electric bikes for rent (www.smh.com.au)
  2. ^ sales (www.statista.com)
  3. ^ import (www.mordorintelligence.com)
  4. ^ half of all bike sales (news.mongabay.com)
  5. ^ equipped with battery-powered motors (www.transport.nsw.gov.au)
  6. ^ serious questions about safety (www.news.com.au)
  7. ^ cycling paradise (www.welovecycling.com)
  8. ^ extensive cycling infrastructure (www.youtube.com)
  9. ^ thorough records on cycling injuries and fatalities (www.cbs.nl)
  10. ^ hit a record high in 2022 (www.statista.com)
  11. ^ from 2.2 million to 3.1 million (www.sciencedirect.com)
  12. ^ The Dutch data (www.cbs.nl)
  13. ^ control the data (www.sciencedirect.com)
  14. ^ increased for e-bikes, but decreased for regular bikes (www.cell.com)
  15. ^ compare this to regular bikes (www.sciencedirect.com)
  16. ^ a Swiss trauma centre (www.sciencedirect.com)
  17. ^ National Trauma Registry (www.sciencedirect.com)
  18. ^ patterns of injury severity are similar (link.springer.com)
  19. ^ no difference in the frequency or severity of traumatic brain injuries (emj.bmj.com)
  20. ^ clear patterns emerge (www.sciencedirect.com)
  21. ^ 13.3 km/h compared to 10.4 km/h (www.sciencedirect.com)
  22. ^ may often be older (link.springer.com)
  23. ^ heavier weight of e-bikes (www.sciencedirect.com)
  24. ^ the Swiss study (www.sciencedirect.com)
  25. ^ The Dutch data (www.sciencedirect.com)
  26. ^ tal mocho/Shutterstock (www.pexels.com)
  27. ^ less likely to wear helmets (www.tandfonline.com)
  28. ^ hesitation around using shared helmets (ebikesforum.com)
  29. ^ that tracks injuries and fatalities (www.svhs.org.au)
  30. ^ raising awareness about their risks (www.youtube.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/e-bike-popularity-is-booming-but-are-they-as-safe-as-regular-bikes-242703

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...