Comparison of injury patterns between electric bicycle, bicycle and motorcycle accidents

Abstract Objective Electric bicycles (E-bikes) are an increasingly popular means of transport, especially in the current Covid-19 pandemic situation. Accident statistics show that E-bikes are growingly involved in traffic accidents. This study evaluates the injury pattern and severity of E-bike injuries in direct comparison to injuries in motorcycle and bicycle accidents. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, the data of 1796 patients who were treated at a Level I Trauma Center between 2009 and 2018 due to traffic accident, involving bicycles, E-bikes or motorcycles, were evaluated and compared with regard to injury patterns and injury severity. Accident victims treated as inpatients with at least 16 years of age were included in this study. Pillion passengers and outpatients were excluded. Results The following distribution was found in the individual groups: 67 E-bike, 1141 bicycle and 588 motorcycle accidents. The injury pattern of E-bikers resembled that of bicyclists much more than that of motorcyclists. The patients with E-bike accidents were almost 14 years older and had a higher incidence of moderate traumatic brain injuries than patients with bicycle accidents. Considering the E-bike riders wore nearly twice as often a helmet as bicycle riders. In comparison, the motorcyclists involved in an accident had fewer facial injuries, but more frequent and more serious injuries to the spine, abdomen and lower extremities. Conclusion The overall E-bike injury pattern is similar to that of cyclists. The differences in the injury pattern to motorcycle accidents could be due to the higher speeds at the time of the accident, the different protection and vehicle architecture. What is striking, however, is the higher age and the increased craniocerebral trauma of the E-bikers involved in accidents compared to the cyclists. Older and untrained people who have a slower reaction time and less control over the E-bike could benefit from head protection or practical courses similar to motorcyclists.