Stay visible, stay vigilant and always use protection.
It’s not a bike. It’s not a motorcycle. It’s something in between and the kids are riding them in the streets.
E-bikes—as well as e-scooters, hoverboards, and other similarly e-motorized options—have emerged as the eco-conscious, convenient, and cost-efficient transportation of choice for many, especially in a sunny beachside town like Sarasota. But just as e-bike popularity has skyrocketed, so have e-bike injuries.
“Just in the last year, we’ve seen a 20% rise in e-bike-related injuries,” says Sarasota Memorial Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator Casey Howell, RN, TCRN, “and it’s only getting worse.”
“E-bikes aren’t going anywhere,” she continues. “As a community, we have to adapt and look at how we can incorporate them safely.”
Here are eight simple rules to help us get there.
THE RULES OF E-BIKE SAFETY
1. HELMETS, HELMETS, HELMETS
“I talk about helmets until I'm blue in the face because they are critical,” says Howell. “They are the thing that can significantly reduce the amount of head injuries that we see. And those can be devastating injuries.”
But it’s important to remember that not all helmets are created equal. A football helmet is not intended for motorcycle use, and a motorcycle helmet is not appropriate for football players. Similarly, that plastic bicycle helmet in the garage—intended to be used at speeds up to 15mph—does not provide adequate protection for an e-bike, which can easily exceed 20mph.
So what’s the answer?
“A motorcycle helmet,” Howell says. “If you're operating an e-bike or anything traveling greater than 20 miles an hour, the motorcycle helmet is the appropriate helmet that's rated for that kind of protection. The protection needs to increase as the speed increases.”
2. THE REST OF THE PADS
The helmet is key, but your head isn’t the only thing worth protecting. Wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads can provide the kind of protection that stops a simple stumble from turning into a painful spill.
“These help guard more against soft tissue injury than serious orthopedic injury,” Howell says. “But I want you to protect all of your squishy parts too. Road rash is incredibly painful and prone to infection.”
3. WEAR PROPER FOOTWEAR
This means NO FLIP FLOPS.
They’re great for the beach or popping down to the shop but leave your feet open and exposed while riding. Plus, like loose pant legs or flowing dresses, shoes that flip and flop can potentially get caught on a pedal or other moving part, sending the rider headfirst over the handlebars.
4. BE SAFE, BE SEEN
When riding an e-bike, you never want to be difficult to see or easy to miss. Wear bright and reflective clothing, even during the day, and equip your bike with running lights (white in front, red in back), rear reflectors and reflective tape.
5. WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS
Many e-bikes operate almost silently, so always watch for pedestrians (and other riders), who may not know that you're there and move directly into your path without realizing what they’re doing.
Be extra careful around crosswalks and street parking.
(PS: This might be the only occasion where you can publicly play music on your phone as loud as you want. Let everybody hear you coming!)
6. FOLLOW TRAFFIC LAWS LIKE A VEHICLE
A key aspect of road safety is to be predictable. And if we’re all following the same rules, it’s a lot easier not to run into each other. For e-bikes, that means signaling turns and lane changes, obeying traffic lights and stop signs, not suddenly turning into a pedestrian when convenient…
7. DON’T DRIVE DISTRACTED
Without having to actively pedal, it can be a lot easier to get distracted while riding, whether it’s picking the music, checking the GPS, or texting. But just like driving a car, even brief distractions can have serious consequences.
With smaller wheels and a lower center of gravity than a typical bike, even small holes or minor cracks in the pavement can throw off an e-bike’s stability, especially at higher speeds.
8. TRUST NO ONE
It’s an old adage among motorcycle riders—and for good reason.
Never assume you know what another driver is doing. Never assume they see you. Never assume they’re going to stop simply because the sign says they’re supposed to.
Driving defensively and staying aware of your surroundings is the best way to avoid an accident.
Written by Sarasota Memorial copywriter Philip Lederer, MA, who crafts a variety of external communications for the healthcare system. SMH’s in-house wordsmith, Lederer earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration and Political Philosophy from Morehead State University, KY, and uses a stationary bike to recharge his e-bike.