Rideshare e-bike usage has increased significantly in urban cities during the pandemic. Many people seem to be choosing covid safe transportation methods in favor of public transportation. In fact, motorized e-bikes, traveling up to 15 miles per hour, are now replacing standard pedal bikes in some parts of the United States. With more people utilizing bike transportation in urban environments, it's important to remember that road deaths are:

• A significant killer disproportionately impacting bicyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians.

  • Recognized by the W.H.O. as vulnerable road users.

Worldwide road deaths represent the eighth leading cause of death. And the number one leading cause of death of children and young adults aged 5 to 29. In 2018, there were over a million road deaths worldwide, a statistic that has been increasing. Conversely, in the United States, road deaths have decreased in recent years, while the U.S. incidence of road-related injury has increased. E-bicycles really are not much different from motorcycles except that you don't need a license, helmet, or experience to ride one. And even though it is illegal to use alcohol or drugs while bicycling, around 20% of bicycling accidents ending up in the hospital are associated with alcohol or drug intoxication. The high incidence of traumatic brain injuries related to bicycling and E-bikes emphasizes that there is no crumple zone around you when traveling on a bicycle or e-bike. In Africa, pedestrians and cyclists account for approximately 44% of road deaths (the highest in the world). Strategies for decreasing road deaths and bicyclist and pedestrian safety are:

• Speed-limit laws.

• Prohibiting drug and alcohol use while operating motor vehicles and bicycles.

• Seatbelt and helmet laws.

• Mandated child restraint use.

• Creating bicycle-only lanes on new and existing roadways.

References:

1 Covid fueled the rise of the e-bike. See where ridership grew in the U.S. (nbcnews.com)

2 Global status report on road safety 2018: summary. Geneva: World Health Organization;

2018 (WHO/NMH/NVI/18.20). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO).

3 Namiri, N. K., Lee, A. W., Amend, G. M., Vargo, J., & Breyer, B. N. (2021). Impact of alcohol and drug use on bicycle and electric scooter injuries and hospital admissions in the United States. Trauma, 14604086211044353.

4 Sarmiento K, Haileyesus T, Waltzman D, Daugherty J. Emergency Department Visits for Bicycle-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Children and Adults - United States, 2009-2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70(19):693-697. Published 2021 May 14. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7019a1