Safety advantages or disadvantages of e-bikes over conventional bikes?

[Conal]

With an electric bike I can now accelerate from a standing start nearly as fast as a bus driver can and, more importantly, in built up areas with frequent bus stops, I can travel in the bus lane at the same speed as a bus. This makes me feel much safer as previously I was forever being "cut up" by buses accelerating to pass me and then immediately cutting in to stop at a bus stop trapping me between the bus and the pavement!

[JohnofCambridge]

I certainly agree with the fact it is easier to assert a road position. I have to swing out to overtake taxis and busses in cycle lanes - the higher speed of an ebike allows me to do it with much more confidence and attention.

I also find it much easier to get across ( sorry - I mean around) roundabouts - that extra acceleration clears me quickly out of the way of traffic. I still hate drivers coming up behind and wanting to turn left and forgetting about cycles and cycle lanes!

I guess there is a slightly higher risk to pedestrians on off road tracks if they dawdle in getting out the way or move across into your line of movement ( some seem born to collide!) - a good bell is an absolute necessity.

Ocasionally I worry about my safety n fallin off, but the good things about ebikes is that you can wear stronger clothes which tear less. As you get less hot you can avoid light clothing.

My son hurt himself and grazed himself badly on knees and arms two weeks ago by falling off his pushbike. Because I can wear thicker clothes, I reckon my injuries and scrapes would have been signifcantly less.

[essexman]

in reality non.

However......

Pro:
-Acceleration from a dead stop is good
-Sheer weight and bulk of my ebike is good in windy weather

Con:
-Sheer weight and bulk of my ebike makes it very hard to maneaouver when pushing it. Juts getting in and out of my shed is a strain. Had to carry it up stairs once, nearly broke my back!

[Jack.Eagle]

To summaries so far:

-safety advantages dues to greater speed and acceleration, pulling off at junction and overtaking vehicles
-greater safety on hill climbs
-great alertness of rider due to less effort required to power the bike

disadvantages included
-greater weight
-condition of the road was highlighted as a concern
-visibility and need for rear view mirror was also another one

many thanks for your views and I look forward to hearing more

cheers

Jack

[Larkspur]

I don't agree that ebikes are safer than conventional bikes. Safety on a bike of either type is 100% down to the skill and confidence of the rider and their ability and willingness to act appropriately within prevailing conditions.

On my Kalkhoff Pro-Connect I am certainly faster than some cycling commuters, but significantly slower than a lot of the fitness cyclists I see on on road bikes, even up hills. But I wouldn't say speed equals safety anyway.

While I would agree that some car drivers make it hard for cyclists - many are quite courteous and patient. In reality, I think that many cyclists lack the necessary skills to ride as safely as possible and that this is exacerbated by the desire not to lose momentum when riding a bike - even an e-bike (I know this feeling from personal experience but it makes you unsafe if you don't control it).

[flecc]

Originally Posted by Larkspur

I don't agree that ebikes are safer than conventional bikes. Safety on a bike of either type is 100% down to the skill and confidence of the rider and their ability and willingness to act appropriately within prevailing conditions.

This leaves out one crucial factor though. Riding an ordinary bike is often tough going, especially against strong headwinds and uphill, and it's not uncommon to see a rider head down, sweating and struggling, even weaving at times. Not only is that less safe, the effort can lead to lapses of concentration.

The comparative ease of riding an e-bike makes it safer in those circumstances, and that's especially the case with a bike like the Quando. Plenty of power, no gears and rarely any need to pedal, all that's left to do is sit back nice and upright, concentrating on other road users and the mirror to see what's coming up behind. That sort of attention to the road is completely impossible on a normal bike, especially in adverse conditions.
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