When 83-year-old Maureen Welch was struck by a dockless Lime e-bike at a pedestrian crossing in Lewisham, south-east London, in October, the consequences for her and her family have been profound and life-altering. Maureen, who was on her way to a weekly aqua aerobics class, suffered a broken leg and severe injuries that led to five weeks in hospital. Now requiring a walking stick and adaptations to her home such as wall rails and a commode, Maureen says the accident has “ruined my life.” Once an active socialiser who frequently travelled to Italy with her family, her mobility and independence have been severely restricted.

Maureen’s son-in-law, Italian celebrity chef Aldo Zilli, and his wife Nichola are now championing calls for stricter regulations on e-bikes after witnessing firsthand the disruption caused by what they describe as reckless behaviour. Both keen cyclists themselves, they highlight the absence of clear rules governing e-bike use: riders can speed, jump red lights, use mobile phones, or ride on pavements with little accountability. Aldo expressed frustration at the widespread misuse of e-bikes, describing how they are often abandoned on pavements where he works, and intends to take his concerns to London’s mayor. However, regulatory responsibility for dockless e-bikes in London lies not with the mayor but with the Department for Transport, which oversees these schemes nationally.

The government has acknowledged the challenges posed by e-bikes and similar technologies to the existing legal framework, which dates back over 160 years. It is consulting on updates to cycling laws, including introducing new offences and tougher penalties under the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill for dangerous cycling that causes serious injury or death. Proposed maximum sentences include five years for serious injury and life imprisonment for causing death. These reforms aim to address the behaviour of a small minority of reckless riders who currently escape sufficient consequences.

This legal gap is underscored by experts like personal injury solicitor Ronnie Hutcheon, who points out that original cycling laws made no provisions for motorised bicycles like e-bikes. He suggests that mandatory training or competency tests might be a way to improve rider safety but acknowledges that enforcement remains difficult when riders intentionally flout rules at pedestrian crossings. Meanwhile, trauma surgeons such as Jaison Patel from the Royal London Hospital report a noticeable spike in e-bike-related injuries. E-bike accidents tend to cause more severe trauma, including broken bones and debilitating head injuries, reflecting the higher speeds and weights involved compared to conventional bicycles.

Although e-bikes have positive benefits—for sustainable urban transport and reducing congestion—there is a growing consensus among clinicians and safety advocates that better regulation and maintenance standards are needed. For example, poorly maintained bikes with faulty brakes or misaligned wheels have been implicated in some injuries. Efforts by bodies like the British Orthopaedic Association to collect systematic data on injuries aim to inform future regulation and improve safety outcomes.

The aftermath for Maureen has been made more difficult by the challenge of establishing liability. The Metropolitan Police investigated the collision but closed the case due to insufficient evidence and were unable to identify the rider. Lime, the e-bike operator, expressed sadness but stated that incidents of this nature are rare and that rider behaviour cannot always be controlled. They also emphasised the existence of protocols to cooperate with police investigations, although Maureen’s family found engaging with Lime to be frustrating and unhelpful.

In the broader context, UK law classifies certain e-bikes as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs), subject to restrictions on motor power and speed, and requiring riders to adhere to age limits and helmet recommendations, though helmets are not legally mandatory. E-bikes compliant with these standards do not require registration or insurance. However, many e-bikes in use fall outside these regulations, complicating enforcement and safety measures. Guidance for e-bike users also stresses the importance of wearing appropriate helmets designed to protect against higher-speed impacts, which are increasingly available with advanced safety technologies.

As e-bikes grow in popularity for commuting and recreation, evolving legal frameworks and safety standards will be crucial to balancing the benefits of this technology with the protection of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians. Maureen’s story highlights the urgent need for clearer rules, better enforcement, and more public awareness to prevent similar incidents and to ensure that e-bike use remains safe and sustainable for all.

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Source: Noah Wire Services