According to a news report published on WashingtonPost.com, a 12-year-old girl was tragically killed in a biking accident in Los Angeles. Accidents such as hers are raising important questions about the safety of e-bikes, particularly for young children. The girl was riding on her friend’s electric bike, and the bike purportedly began to shimmy when applying […]
Defective e-Bike Accident Lawsuits
According to a news report published on WashingtonPost.com, a 12-year-old girl was tragically killed in a biking accident in Los Angeles. Accidents such as hers are raising important questions about the safety of e-bikes, particularly for young children. The girl was riding on her friend’s electric bike, and the bike purportedly began to shimmy when applying the e-bike’s disc brakes while descending a hill. Although the victim was wearing a bicycle helmet, she sustained severe head injuries and passed away after enduring several brain surgeries.
The child’s parents, who are attorneys, filed a lawsuit against the e-bike manufacturer, claiming that the bike was marketed inappropriately to children and was made with multiple design defects. The e-bike manufacturer is the largest e-bike company in North America.
This tragic incident and the subsequent lawsuit have ignited a renewed focus on e-bike safety, including concerns about the adequacy of braking systems and the appropriateness of e-bikes for young riders. An investigation by Bicycling Magazine has also prompted cyclists to discuss e-bikes’ benefits, downsides, price, quality, regulation, and safety on social media.
The e-bike company has extended its condolences to the victim’s family, but it has not commented on the lawsuit or the incident. The company maintains that its e-bikes and components, including disc brakes and release mechanisms, are safe when used and maintained properly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has also stated that the problem identified in the e-bike did not necessitate further action.
However, cyclists and mechanics have reported online and to journalists about brake issues and other quality or handling concerns with some e-bikes. Some have said that the brakes have stopped working, while others have experienced brake pads wearing out after only a few weeks of use. Cyclists have been advised to check their brakes frequently and look out for signs that the brakes have lost stopping power or require servicing.
The brakes on e-bicycles are similar to the brakes on conventional bicycles and they must comply with federal regulations on component safety. Regardless of the bike’s weight and capacity, the brakes must stop the bike within a specific distance.
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