Bicycle and Motorcycle accidents in the DC/Maryland/Virginia region cause many deaths and thousands of injuries each year. Often, cyclists may not realize the true extent of their injuries until well after an accident. This coupled with some bikers’ tendency to understate their injuries to family and friends can result in some serious injuries being untreated until it is too late to fully recover. The TV personality Simon Cowell (originally known for his work as a judge on “American Idol”) Recently revealed to journalists that the injuries that he sustained in a bicycle accident were much worse than initially thought or publically revealed.
According to the International news report, Mr. Cowell was involved in a collision while riding an electric bicycle in California in 2020. As a result of the crash, he broke his back in several places and suffered serious nerve damage that was not reported to the public until recently. The vehicle that Mr. Cowell was using, while branded as an “electric bicycle” could more accurately be described as an electric motorcycle based on the power of the motor and the top speed of the vehicle. While E-bikes are limited to 15 miles per hour while on public roadways, the bike involved in this crash has a top speed of at least 27 miles per hour, and can be as dangerous as a motorcycle when driven on roadways.
What Can E-Bike Riders Do to Protect Themselves?