Riders' hub
E-bike risks: Helmets, age, and accident registration
E-bikes in the Netherlands present a growing safety concern, particularly for older riders, as they're classified the same as traditional bicycles despite reaching sustained speeds of 25 km/h. This article examines the challenges of inadequate accident registration for e-bikes, debates around potential licensing requirements, and age-related risk factors. While mandatory helmets aren't currently required, trauma surgeons report increasing severe injuries, suggesting the need for better data collection and targeted safety measures that balance protection with accessibility.
I watched my 70+ year old dad upgrade from his traditional city bike to an e-bike last year. Within weeks, he was cruising effortlessly at 23 km/h—nearly double his previous speed—with the same relaxed posture and minimal protective gear he'd always used.
It wasn't until a serious crash that reality hit home. My mom immediately insisted he wear a helmet for every ride going forward. Interestingly, she rides an e-bike too but refuses to wear one herself because "most helmets don't look good on her." This family dynamic mirrors what's happening across the Netherlands.
Trauma surgeons are raising alarms about these contradictions. E-bikes have democratized cycling for older riders and those with limited mobility, but this revolution comes with risks that our current safety frameworks—and cultural attitudes—haven't caught up to.
The e-bike safety paradox
E-bikes occupy a strange regulatory space in the Netherlands. Despite capable of sustained speeds of 25 km/h with minimal effort, they're classified identical to traditional bicycles, requiring no training, licensing, or helmets.
This classification creates a significant safety gap. Riders suddenly access higher speeds without necessarily developing the skills or awareness such velocities demand. The results are evident in emergency rooms nationwide, where doctors report increasing numbers of severe injuries among e-bike users, from young to old.
The invisible accident epidemic
One of the biggest challenges in addressing e-bike safety is inadequate data. The Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) tracks cycling injuries broadly, but with no specific e-bike accident registration, we're missing critical insights.
Minor accidents often go unreported entirely, creating an incomplete picture of the safety landscape. Without detailed data separating e-bike incidents from traditional cycling accidents, policy makers lack the evidence needed for informed decisions.
As someone who's researched helmet safety extensively while developing headfirst helmets, this data gap is particularly frustrating. We know helmets reduce severe head injury risk by 60% and fatal injury risk by 71%, but without e-bike-specific statistics, targeted safety initiatives remain challenging.
The licensing debate
The idea of introducing licenses for e-bike riders surfaces regularly in policy discussions, but experts generally oppose such measures, citing concerns about discouraging mobility and physical activity among populations who benefit most from e-bikes.
The challenge lies in balancing safety with accessibility. Rather than restricting access through licensing, better options might include:
- Targeted education for new e-bike owners
- Voluntary training programs
- Age-appropriate safety recommendations
- Helmet incentives for vulnerable groups
Understanding the age factor
Age significantly impacts e-bike risk profiles across the spectrum. While older riders face one set of challenges, younger riders present a different but equally concerning risk pattern.
As we age, our capacity to process complex traffic situations diminishes, reaction times slow, and our bodies become more vulnerable to injury. For riders over 65, the combination of e-bike speeds and age-related factors creates particular concerns. Falls that might result in minor injuries for younger cyclists often lead to serious fractures or head trauma in older riders.
At the other end of the spectrum, teenagers and young adults on e-bikes often exhibit a dangerous combination of inexperience, overconfidence, and risk-taking behavior. Recent studies show alarming increases in e-bike accidents among riders aged 16-25, who frequently travel at maximum speeds, weave through traffic, and are less likely to wear protective gear. The sensation of powered cycling sometimes creates a false sense of control that experience hasn't yet tempered.
Our Echo Pro helmet with SafeFit technology was designed with these concerns in mind. The system adapts to your unique head size and shape, providing crucial protection while addressing the comfort issues that often discourage helmet use among older riders.
Moving forward responsibly
As e-bikes continue transforming Dutch mobility, we need solutions that preserve their benefits while addressing emerging risks. This means:
- Improved accident registration specific to e-bikes
- More nuanced safety recommendations based on rider age and ability
- Continued innovation in protective equipment designed for e-bike speeds
- Public awareness campaigns highlighting the difference between traditional and electric cycling
The e-bike revolution offers tremendous benefits for personal mobility and environmental sustainability. With thoughtful safety approaches, we can ensure these benefits don't come at the cost of preventable injuries.