Over the last 10 years, we have noticed a dramatic uptick in injuries related to ebikes, a new type of vehicle that barely existed 10 years ago

Posted by IM_OK_AMA@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 30 comments

Says every local news agency, without even a hint of irony.

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Laserdollarz@reddit

The injuries that cars cause are too boring.

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Cru_Jones86@reddit

It's so common, people don't really pay attention anymore. Maybe we need MORE e-bike accidents. Then, people won't care anymore. (I hope this /s isn't necessary)

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Laserdollarz@reddit

I went searching and using this data, there are 14% more motor vehicle crash deaths in 2023 than in 2013, even when accounting for higher population and more miles driven.

(1.26 deaths per million miles vs 1.1)

14% is super boring!

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snoogins355@reddit

It's incredible how many buildings get hit. Even 2nd floors!

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-mudflaps-@reddit

More people are riding ebikes, so there's going to be more people being injured on ebikes, it's as if they're directly related. So I don't know what point is being made here.

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DJKaito@reddit

At least in the US. In Europe EBikes are a thing since the early 2000s and hit mainstream around 2010.

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Maybe that’s true. And yes, it’s unfortunate, but it’s something we have to accept for now. What really matters is that people are beginning to cycle to work, save money, improve their health, and play a role in tackling climate change.

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great_auks@reddit

History repeating

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SadisticPawz@reddit

Except this time it's actually a threat to the big players as a potential competitor.

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snoogins355@reddit

Like snowboarding in the late 80s and early 90s

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rvralph803@reddit

Now do the ones about cars in the early 1900s.

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great_auks@reddit

Time is a flat circle

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rvralph803@reddit

Somehow my mind always goes back to that stupid geico commercial where the guy invented pants and some dude says "But I fear change, so I will keep my bushes"

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Laserdollarz@reddit

Remember to register and insure your roller skates!

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chuyskywalker@reddit

Also watch out for all those rampant ebike battery fires! There's, like, a few hundred a year!

(Ignore the ~600 vehicle fires PER DAY)

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James-B0ndage@reddit

I’d say most of the injuries are from the high(illegal) speed bikes

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AMC_TO_THE_M00N@reddit

I've been wanting to see eScooter data now with all these lime/bird scooters in the city

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AMC_TO_THE_M00N@reddit

Also how they don't get rented with helmets

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Hortos@reddit

More people are doing something. Half of humans are below average intelligence. Young people engage in more risk taking behavior than adults. Oh look more injuries. If everyone had an electric car you’d see dramatic uptick in EV car crashes. This is stupid.

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Comfortable-Fly5797@reddit

I'm curious if the number of bike injuries (not just ebike) per mile ridden have gone up.

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Lordly_Lobster@reddit

Well of course the absolute number of injuries related to ebikes has increased as more people use them. The key metric is not total injuries but rather injuries per million miles traveled. Unfortunately by this measure bicycles of all types are more dangerous than cars.

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IM_OK_AMA@reddit (OP)

Unfortunately by this measure bicycles of all types are more dangerous than cars.

I can't imagine this is true unless you're counting bicyclists injured by cars in which case I would argue the car is the dangerous thing, not the bicycle.

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pushupbro@reddit

The pearl clutching associated with e bikes is a damn joke.

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secard13@reddit

But Penny farthing injuries are waaaay down, so I bet it's a wash in the end.

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Prudent-Nebula-3239@reddit

That’s like saying motorcycle accidents went up after car manufacturers stopped making cars and everyone started riding motorcycles.

Obviously accidents would go up if a vehicle type becomes way more common.

E-bikes barely existed at scale 10 years ago. Now tons of people use them for short commutes, deliveries, errands, or because they can’t afford a car and insurance. So yes, e-bike injuries went up because e-bike usage exploded.

That’s not some shocking trend. That’s basic exposure math.

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