E-bikes, E-Scooters, Eek!

Electronic bikes and scooters are all around, even when it’s snowy and in the 20s in Chicago.

And they can be very dangerous. Among the reasons for this are the high speeds they can attain(nearly thirty miles per hour); the lack of training, licensing, or skill of many users; and the lack of understanding of these conveyances by others on the roadways.

Making Limeade

In Chicago, there is a way to rent electronic bikes through the Divvy platform, and for scooters, it’s Lime. Now, if you have ever ridden a non-motorized bicycle, you’ve undoubtedly had a crash or two. Lots of things can happen on a bike, and potholes, cars, confusing lane markings, and traffic control devices are just a few of the things that can cause you to fall off your bike.

Now, add in some serious speed and a vehicle that most people have never used before, and you have an accident waiting to happen. Only those accidents are not waiting.

Multiple articles recently have noted the large uptick in crashes of scooters, e-bikes, and other “enhanced” systems of wheel-based movement.

These crashes can cause injury to the rider him- or herself, others they come into contact with, or unlucky bystanders who happen to be nearby.

Consider, too, that when you rent an e-bike or e-scooter, there is no helmet available for rent, and few people bring their own. And just so we’re clear, there is no statewide law requiring riders of any type of bicycle or scooter to wear a helmet. Only those operating motorcycles.

Training

Those who know me, understand I am a passionate (insane?) bicycle rider. I train like a professional cyclist, ride very hard and very fast, and take it very seriously. I also have spent decades of time on a bike. I am intimately familiar with how dangerous a sport this is, since virtually everyone I race against has had his or her share of serious injuries, from head injuries, to broken bones, to skin-scouring road rash.

Every ride, I anticipate what every other vehicle might do. I wear a helmet, follow traffic laws, signal my turns, and ride defensively. Yet I’ve been hit by cars at least a half -dozen times, often in “protected” bike lanes. After the initial vituperative blast of consternation exists me, the usual response I get from the offending driver is “I didn’t see you,” to which I usually respond “because you weren’t (expletive deleted) looking!”

If I get into crashes on my bike, despite taking every possible precaution what could possibly go wrong for riders without helmets, at higher rates of speed, and with virtually no experience on the equipment they’re using?

Most people who rent bikes and scooters have never ridden this type of bike or scooter before. Maybe they’ve ridden a bicycle, but not an e-bike. And rarely an e-scooter. And, as noted above, almost none wear helmets. So that means the user is in danger, how does it affect me, you ask?

Because if someone operates an e-bike with which they are unfamiliar, making a poor decision at almost thirty miles an hour, you could be one of those unfortunate bystanders who gets hit. And if you’ve ever been hit by anything moving more than twenty-five miles per hour, you know it’s going to do some damage.

What Should Be Done to Protect People?

My proposals would be baby steps. Require helmets. Require e-bike or e-scooter riders to take and pass a simple safety test and provide proof before being allowed to rent one. Require those renting to have proof of insurance—auto, homeowner’s, renters—to cover what might happen in the event of a crash. In other words, there is no reason to treat these vehicles and their operators much differently than motorcyclists.

Don’t assume an e-bike is the same as a regular bike. On a great day, pushing hard, I might get my bike to top out nearly thirty miles per hour. An inexperienced e-bike or e-scooter rider can do that within seconds of renting one, with the possibility it’s the first time they’ve ever used such a vehicle.

Bad things can, and will, happen, when human decisionmaking is involved. Why ignore it? Rather, wouldn’t it make sense to address the growing danger head on?

What This Means for You

If you are on the wrong end of an e-bike or e-scooter crash, please get the necessary medical treatment as soon as possible, report this to police, and contact a lawyer. You may be entitled to damages for your injuries.

Now, it can be complicated as to how those damages will be covered, but generally homeowner’s insurance does pay for damages in these situations. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know all possible angles to attack to garner maximum compensation for your injuries.

Whatever you do, don’t assume nothing can be done.

Takeaways

• Electronic bikes and scooters can be dangerous and are largely unregulated
• Lack of trained operators, helmets, and unfamiliarity with the vehicles can create danger
• If you are injured, get medical treatment, report this, and contact a lawyer

Contact Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Stephen Hoffman

If you have been injured, whether by an auto accident, bike or pedestrian crash, dog bite, work accident, or medical malpractice, seek medical attention immediately. Report accidents to the police and your own insurance company, or to your employer if you were injured at work. Then contact a lawyer with experience in your type of injury matter.

If you have been in an accident and have questions, contact Chicago personal injury attorney Stephen L. Hoffman for a free consultation at (773) 944-9737. Stephen has over 35 years of legal experience and gets results; he has collected millions of dollars for his satisfied clients. He is listed as a SuperLawyer, has a 10.0 rating on Avvo, and is BBB A+ accredited. Stephen is also an Executive Level Member of the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.

Stephen handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front, and Stephen only gets paid if you do. You have only a limited time to file a claim, so don’t wait another day; contact Stephen now to get started putting your life back together.