Brain Injury Claims Arising out of the Use of E-Bikes

Over the last few years, electric or e-bike sales have increased as a part of an e-vehicle boom. Their popularity is driven by modern factors like convenience, low prices and lower-emission technology.

However, concerns are growing around e-bike injury across the UK. A London study that reviewed emergency department visits between 2022 and 2025 found that riders injured on e-bikes were 41% more likely to suffer head or neck injuries than people injured on conventional bicycles.

The researchers also found that 81% of injured e-bike riders with recorded helmet data were not wearing a helmet, reinforcing concerns about preventable brain injuries as e-bike use continues to grow.

The Growing Appeal of E-Bikes

Like e-scooters, e-bikes offer a range of practical benefits that help explain their growing popularity. Research also points to a growing consensus that e-bikes can support inclusive mobility, including for some disabled people and older adults. Other factors include:

Convenience and their ‘grab-and-go’ functionality
Cost-effective prices compared to driven vehicles
Eco-friendly status thanks to lower emissions
Ease of access (due to limited regulation) and use
Can help people with limited mobility, especially e-bikes with a throttle or pedal-assist

This broad appeal helps explain why e-bikes are so common, from commuters and leisure cyclists to people who may find conventional cycling more difficult.

E-Bike Laws in the UK

A UK road-legal e-bike, or electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC), needs to have these features:

A motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 250W
Motor assistance that cuts out at no more than 15.5mph, although the rider can continue pedalling faster without motor assistance
Functional pedals
Displays the manufacturer, motor power and battery details

EAPCs that comply with the above standards do not need to be registered, insured or taxed and can legally be treated the same as a standard bicycle, provided the user is at least 14 years old.

If an e-bike does not have all those features, it is treated as a motor vehicle, so needs to be registered, insured and taxed, plus ridden while wearing a helmet by a user with a driving licence.

Throttle E-Bikes

For users needing some extra help with mobility, a walk-assist throttle can help an e-bike along up to about 3.7mph, and that’s perfectly legal. However, a ‘twist-and-go’ throttle that powers the bike faster than walking pace needs specific type approval to be road-legal.

Many cheaper imported e-bikes available online have full throttles that aren’t type-approved – these aren’t legal to ride as a normal bicycle on UK roads.

Why Are E-Bikes Dangerous?

Even when an e-bike falls within legal restrictions, there is potential for injury, including head and brain injury (from mild to severe). Some common reasons for this include:

E-bikes can reach much higher speeds than traditional bicycles
They are heavier and difficult to control
Many people neglect to wear helmets – it’s not a requirement for road-legal EAPCs
Riders are inexperienced – this includes young or older individuals who are returning to cycling after some time away
E-bikes are being marketed as toys to younger audiences
Alcohol is sometimes involved with usage
Road users don’t always expect them to be there in the first place

Considering the rate at which people are taking to e-bikes and e-vehicles, the awareness of the possible risks of using them is nowhere near as widespread as it needs to be.

How E-Bikes Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries

Higher speeds and heavier frames can amplify the forces involved in e-bike crashes and accidents compared to traditional bicycles, which can lead to a range of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). This can be anything from concussion to skull fractures.

Where a rider is thrown from an e-bike, struck by another vehicle, or hits the road or a fixed object, the force of impact may affect the head, brain and wider body.

Head and brain injuries may occur even where there is no obvious external wound. A collision can cause the brain to move inside the skull, resulting in concussion, bleeding, swelling or more severe traumatic brain injury.

E-Bike Legal Claims

In the event of an e-bike injury that wasn’t your fault, physical health always comes first. However, once any medical treatment is underway, you might want to start considering the legal side.

In an e-bike injury claim, the key question is usually who was responsible for the accident and whether that person or organisation breached a duty of care. This may involve another road user, the rider, an employer, a manufacturer, a retailer, a local authority or another party.

E-Bike Accidents: A Simpson Millar Case Study

As e-bike use continues to increase across the UK, so too does the potential for serious collisions involving riders. Simpson Millar solicitors represented a young e-bike rider who was under 18 and suffered catastrophic injuries following a collision with a car.

The rider sustained multiple serious injuries affecting the brain, chest, leg, knee, shoulder and arm. The most significant was a severe TBI involving diffuse axonal injury (DAI), which can cause damage to nerve fibres inside the skull and affect aspects like memory, decision-making and emotional regulation.

One of the biggest challenges in the claim was establishing exactly how the collision had happened. Because the rider had no memory of the incident (due to the brain injury), Simpson Millar diligently investigated the evidence to build a true picture of the accident.

The effects of a TBI are not always visible and often extend far beyond the initial hospital treatment. For instance, the victim struggled with routine tasks such as crossing the road thanks to damage to his concentration levels. This had to be considered in the valuation of the claim.

Simpson Millar secured a settlement of £1.25 million. This compensation was placed into a Personal Injury Trust, which helped to protect the funds and ensured that the victim could afford to meet his ongoing care, rehabilitation and support needs.

The Future of E-Bikes

Despite the risk of injury, e-bikes are likely to remain a popular mode of transport across the UK. As their use continues to grow, so too does the importance of understanding the risks involved.

Wearing a helmet, following UK e-bike laws and riding responsibly can all help reduce the likelihood of serious injury. While accidents cannot always be prevented, greater awareness of the dangers associated with e-bikes may help protect riders and other road users.

How Brain Injury Group Can Help

If you or a loved one has been involved in an e-bike crash or accident that has resulted in a potential brain injury, you may be unsure where to turn next.

At Brain Injury Group, we know how overwhelming this experience can be. We can help you access clear advice and tailored support to help you know your options and discover any services your family needs. This might be access to rehabilitation, care, emotional support or legal guidance.

Understanding the full picture of an e-bike injury claim could be the next step you have in mind. In this case, we can signpost you to specialist solicitors who are equipped to guide you through the legal process, helping you to move forward.