Engineering and brilliance came together with the development of the electric bicycle. E-bikes seemed like a novelty when they first hit the consumer market, but today they are popular sights on many Indiana streets. E-bikes move at incredible speeds, giving bicyclists the option of getting a throttle boost or riding on pure electric power. While rapid speeds allow Indiana bicyclists to get to a destination faster, traveling at rapid speeds could cause accidents.
E-bikes and Their Unique Dangers
An e-bike isn’t a motorcycle or a street-legal moped, but they share similarities. An e-bike may travel at speeds in the 40 mph range, and cyclists need not purchase any special licenses to operate one. An e-bike is a bicycle, albeit one connected to an electric motor. That motor serves as a top-selling point to those requiring more speed and less effort.
Persons commuting to work or using a bike for a delivery gig may appreciate how fast these models go. Persons hit by someone riding an e-bike might not share the thrill. E-bike accident victims may have a case for a civil suit and, in some instances, might press criminal charges.
E-bikes and Negligence
Injuries from suffered from e-bike accidents could be severe, and internal injuries are not uncommon. Sometimes, the e-bike operator is not at fault. However, those that take a carefree attitude when riding the bike could be at fault for pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents.
E-bike cyclists might find it risky to travel at unsafe speeds, especially in areas known for congested traffic and numerous pedestrians. Following traffic laws, such as stopping at stop signs and signaling before turns, remains a rule to follow.
Those choosing to operate their bikes negligently may face the consequences. If there’s no insurance protection in place when at fault for an accident, the e-bike rider may suffer significant losses in court.
