Nationally e-bike injuries have surged over 400% in recent years.
30% of all e-bike collisions involve motor vehicles. This as in recent years, e-bikes have been riding a wave of popularity.
The U.S. e-bike market is at least $2 billion and rising fast.
“From the get go, just like your Tesla’s where it’s full power all the time when you hit the throttle, same idea with these guys as well,” said Parts Manager at Blackmans Cycle in Emmaus, Tim Ream.
Ream says e-bike inquiries are soaring, however the battery-powered bikes popularity is seeing an increasing amount of accidents on the road.
“The part that’s very concerning is when you see them on some of our state highways, like Emmaus Avenue or Susquehanna Street, where there’s not a lot of shoulder room, and you have cars doing 50-60 miles an hour past them,” said Salisbury Township police sergeant Bryan Losagio.
Friday it wasn’t a car, but a motorcycle that crashed with an e-bike rider in Bethlehem, killing both.
Bethlehem Police release new details after e‑bike and motorcycle crash kills two
Earlier this month, a 71-year-old man Lehigh County man died after an e-bike accident.
71-year-old man dies after e-bike accident in Alburtis
Losagio implores riders to not speed and to keep a safe distance behind cars or other bikes.
“For parents that have children, have these e-bikes, really keep an eye on where they’re using them, because a lot of the times it is against the law, and technically the bikes could be impounded or fines could be issued,” Losagio said.
“These types of machines right here can reach up to excess of 60-65 miles per hour,” said Ream.
And not street legal, Ream says whether its on private land or public road, always wear a helmet and padded body coverings.
“Respect the power that either one offers, and wear your gear,” he stressed.