There was a woman who died recently when her ebike was hit by a pickup truck along a route I often also ride an ebike on. He was making a left turn at an intersection. It bothers me that a collision of that nature was still enough to cause a fatality. I mean you would expect a turning vehicle to not be moving at great speed?
But I guess as the article points out, the higher profile and greater weight of trucks takes its toll. Also, I think there is a certain segment of muscle truck drivers who like to floor it with reckless abandon, though I don’t know if that was the case here?
That’s really sad to hear. I’ve been saving up for an e-bike to use for commuting and nearby transportation. I guess all we can do is wear helmets, high viz gear, and hope for the best. Stay safe out there!
I love my ebike! It’s been a game changer for me. I can give you a few safety pointers that apply to cycling in general.
- invest in a rear-view mirror so that you can watch for people coming up from behind and cutting you off with a sudden right turn (the right hook, as it is sometimes called)
- at intersections, try to make eye contact with anyone turning across you
- get front and rear lights (most jurisdictions require these for night time riding but they are good to have on in daytime also)
- get a bell (again, generally required) and use it when you are approaching pedestrians who can’t see you or in general when your sight lines are obstructed
- watch out for parked car doors swinging out (if you need to take over a lane to pass a car safely, it is your right to do so)
- when you need to maneuver (e.g. change lanes, turn, etc.), use hand signals and do so gradually from a good distance
The nice thing about an ebike is it doesn’t cost you a lot of effort to get going again after slowing down or stopping, so you should do so if you’re facing an uncertain traffic situation.
Also, regarding risks, you need to weigh them against the risks of not riding. In my case, I work a sedentary job and this is my primary means of exercise. (Yes, even ebikes can give you exercise!) I was developing type 2 diabetes, but since I started the bike commute, I’ve been losing weight (albeit very gradually) and my numbers have been going down.
Thanks for the tips! I used to ride motorcycles so I believe wholeheartedly in investing in the right gear and equipment for a safe ride. I will make sure to do the same when I get an ebike.