The cycling industry is enjoying a recharge with e-bikes.
When Jeff Radke’s grandfather opened his bicycle shop in St. Clair Shores everyone wanted a Schwinn because they were comfortable and built to last, which is why decades later they are still around.
Now customers who walk into Macomb Bike in Warren want a bicycle they can pedal if they want but is otherwise charged up and ready to take them for a ride on Michigan’s highways, byways and trails.
“We knew early on that electric bikes would evolve further in the industry,” said Radke, whose shop carries a variety of Aventon, Trek and Electra bicycles. “We just never imagined it would be this big.”
And it’s still growing.
According to Vantage Market Research the global e-bike market is currently valued at $55.29 billion but is expected to nearly double by 2035 reaching a value of $108.4 billion, at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 6.32%.
It’s great news for the industry and even the environment as more and more people are choosing to hop on their e-bike rather than in their carbon spewing cars for local rides and even short-commuter trips.
Look at New York City.
Its urban landscape was once predominantly yellow and while taxis. Those are still around but city scenes are streaked with black e-bikes and riders delivering everything from people and pizza to commercial goods and letters.
These are all positive impacts.
But even industry professionals are concerned about the need to address the safety issues that have surfaced along with the growing popularity of e-bikes.
American safety standards
Macomb Bike has been in business for more than 50 years. Their success is largely due to customer service and the fact that they can repair just about any e-bike they sell.
“All of our e-bikes are also built to UL certified safety standards,” Radke said.
But not all bikes are created equal.
“There is an enormous range of quality, safety and compatibility. The quality and safety issues are the main drivers of legislation and change within the United States and our industry,” said Igor Shteynbuk, in his blog for Velo Orange, a company that provides parts and accessories for cycling enthusiasts. “There are numerous reports of fires that cause death, injuries and millions of dollars in damages with the prime culprit being poorly constructed e-bikes. New York City alone saw more than 200 fires caused by e-bikes, e-scooters and similar products. There’s obviously a need for something to be done with regards to safety.”
In fact there are a variety of legislative actions being considered and enacted at the federal, state and local levels in regards to how e-bikes are made, what components are used and how they are transported.
It’s obvious America’s transit infrastructure was built for automotive vehicles but there is a push to build safer infrastructure for both cyclists and pedestrians and federal funding for communities that implement it. This alone could accelerate the planning and construction of biking and walking projects across the country.
“Sterling Heights has been very good with regards to bike paths. They’re my example for communities with energy and a progressive approach,” said Michael Radke, a Sterling Heights city councilmember who has compiled a map of multi-use paths riders can use in Macomb County including the Macomb Orchard Trail.
Michigan is among the states catering to the growing trend of e-bike riders but not alone in its endeavor to tap the market. E-riders who wish to explore other countries can also book cycling tours.
“I have one customer who did a tour of the Carolinas and if it wasn’t for the e-bike she would have never been able to do it,” Radke said of the technology that’s enabled even the eldest rider to enjoy soaring climbs and descents.
For the health of it
Riding a bicycle is a healthy pastime but with greater speeds comes greater risk of injury.
Amidst this surging popularity more than 20,000 people each year are injured while riding an e-bike, and as many as 3,000 of these require hospitalization.
These numbers prompted the Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to issue a position statement addressing critical safety concerns and the need for standardized regulations.
“Electric bicycles are an increasingly popular mode of transportation and recreation. However, their use is associated with a growing number of serious injuries, particularly among children and adolescents,” said the ACS statement. “The ACS recognizes the need to address this emerging public safety problem through evidence-based policy and injury prevention strategies.”
Key recommendations of the ACS statement include:
- Categorizing e-bikes based on speed and power.
- Implementing age restrictions for riders.
- Mandating safety equipment, such as helmets.
Additionally, the ACS recommended each region have a mechanism to report crashes, injuries and deaths involving e-bikes including those not treated at trauma centers and trauma centers that do see high rates of e-bike injuries should consider implementation of targeted safety outreach programs.
“We are seeing an increase in e-bike injuries, the most common include head injuries and severe fractures,” said Sarah Rauner, a pediatric nurse practitioner regional manager for Advance Practice Providers, East Pediatric Emergency Centers at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, who created and oversees a new national model of care for pediatric concussion diagnosis and management. “Concussion patients who leave our Corewell Health Emergency Centers are offered virtual concussion follow up.”
Rauner collaborated with Toyota to develop the program known as Way Forward, which has proven ideal for monitoring of new and worsening symptoms. It also removes transportation barriers ensuring that more children receive the care they need.
Rauner said e-bike riders travel at speeds significantly higher than traditional bikes leading to more forceful impacts during falls or collisions.
Since the virtual model was developed at five sites in Troy a little over a year ago, Rauner had doubled the national average of pediatric patients to receive crucial follow up care for concussions. Today there are 20 sites across the state.
Rauner offers the following tips to avoid e-bike injuries:
- Always wear a helmet and be sure it’s fitted properly to significantly reduce the risk of head injuries.
- Other protective gear might include gloves and knee/elbow pads to protect against abrasions and fractures in a fall. Reflective clothing will also increase a rider’s visibility for motorists, especially in low light conditions.
- Always follow traffic laws. If you’re on the road observe all traffic signals and signs and use hand signals for turns. Ride with the traffic.
- Practice defensive riding by being aware of your surroundings such as traffic patterns or unusual turns in a bike path and anticipating potential hazards like cars pulling out of a parking lot. Avoid distractions and poor weather conditions.
- Make sure your e-bike is properly maintained and know your specific bike’s capabilities and speed.
- Don’t just hop on it and go. Take the time to learn how to ride the e-bike safely. As with a motor vehicle, practice riding in a safe area to learn to accelerate, brake, and turn effectively.
- Make sure vehicles are aware of you; by using front and rear lights on your e-bike and making eye contact with drivers before crossing intersections.
Source: Berkshire mont
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