During a study carried out by the researchers associated within the German Insurance Federation, the risks of accidents incurred by the users of electric bicycles are higher than those who use the traditional muscle bicycles. This is explained by the fact that electric bicycles travel up to 25 km/h unlike conventional bicycles.
This same study had revealed that in 2021 nearly 67 accidents related to the use of mechanical bicycles had been recorded compared to 080 accidents for electric bicycles. This is not alarming given that people using traditional bikes remain much higher than those who have switched to electric bikes.
Mileage, a non-negligible point
This study demonstrated that if people using electric bikes are much more exposed to accidents because they cover more distances than conventional bicycles. Users of these modern bikes travel 1,8 km more than conventional cyclists. Indeed, the more you drive at bike, the more you will be exposed to accidents. This is another point to consider when you want to know if electric bikes cause more accidents than conventional bikes.
Other exceptions to consider
In addition to the points mentioned above, it is important to understand that a electric bike is not much more dangerous than a traditional bicycle with a few exceptions. Out of a group of cyclists between the ages of 18 and 34, the risk of accidents among e-bike riders is much higher, unlike those using mechanical bicycles.
If young people are much more exposed to accidents related to driving an electric bicycle, it is because they overestimate the capacity of their bicycle. They do not recognize the limit of this type of bike because they are more efficient than conventional bikes.
Another category of people prone to e-bike accidents are people aged 75 or older. Because electric bikes are difficult to handle at a certain age, the risk of accidents remains much higher. These difficulties concern, among other things, the use of speed, the control and the configuration of the assistance.
This study carried out in Germany therefore shows that it is preferable to choose a device suited to the muscular strength of people in this age group to avoid possible accidents.
We can thus conclude that the electric bicycle is not as dangerous as the conventional bicycle, provided that certain measures are respected.