High-Energy vs. Low-Energy Impacts: What Kind of Crashes Do eBike Riders Face Most?

As electric bicycles become more common on city streets and suburban roads, so does the urgency to understand the nature of the crashes they’re involved in. One of the most critical distinctions in eBike safety is between high-energy impacts (typically involving motor vehicles) and low-energy impacts (such as falls or minor collisions). Understanding the difference—and which occurs more often—can help riders, manufacturers, and city planners better prioritize safety strategies.

 

What Are High-Energy vs. Low-Energy eBike Crashes?

• Low-Energy Impacts
  These are usually single-vehicle incidents, such as a rider losing balance, slipping on wet pavement, or failing to brake in time. They occur at lower speeds and often involve the rider alone.
  Examples:
  

• Tipping over during a turn
  

• Sliding out on gravel
  

• Abrupt braking that causes a fall
  

• High-Energy Impacts
  These involve a collision with another vehicle, typically a car, truck, or bus. The forces involved are significantly greater due to the mass and speed of the second vehicle.
  Examples:
  

• A side-impact from a car at an intersection
  

• Being rear-ended by a vehicle
  

• A high-speed head-on crash
  
  

What Do the Studies Say?

Research from trauma centers and crash data analyses suggests the majority of eBike crashes are low-energy events, while high-energy crashes, though less frequent, result in the most severe injuries.

• A Swiss Level II trauma center study involving 82 adult cyclists (27 on eBikes) found that 66% of eBike incidents were low-energy, single-vehicle crashes, and only 26% involved cars or trucks Zhou et al., 2025.
  

• However, when a high-energy impact occurs, the consequences are often catastrophic.
  In side-impact collisions, the fatality risk increases from 3% at 30 km/h to 90% at 80 km/h Hu et al., 2020.
  

• Low-energy crashes, while common, tend to result in abrasions, fractures of the upper limbs, and soft-tissue injuries. These are painful but usually not life-threatening Chang et al., 2022.
  
  

Risk Factors That Influence Crash Severity

Several variables can dramatically increase the likelihood of severe injuries, even in otherwise low-energy crashes:

Sources: Wang et al., 2021, Zhou et al., 2025, Chang et al., 2022

 

What Can Riders Do?

While it's impossible to eliminate all risk, the following strategies can drastically reduce the chances of serious injury:

To Prevent Low-Energy Crashes:

• Practice cornering, balance, and braking techniques.
  

• Always wear protective gear, including a helmet (preferably NTA 8776 certified), gloves, and elbow pads.
  
  

To Mitigate High-Energy Impact Risks:

• Increase visibility with front/rear lights and reflective clothing, especially at night.
  

• Advocate for and use separated bike lanes whenever possible.
  

• Ride defensively and assume you're not seen by drivers.
  
  

The Xnito Perspective

At Xnito, we design products for the realities of today’s roads. Our NTA-8776 certified helmets are specifically engineered to offer superior protection at the higher speeds associated with eBikes—providing riders with better coverage and impact absorption than traditional bicycle helmets. Whether you're facing a sudden fall or a rare but dangerous car collision, your gear should match the risk.

 

Final Thoughts

The data is clear: most eBike crashes are low-energy, but most severe injuries come from high-energy collisions. Riders must prepare for both—through better habits, safer infrastructure, and gear that’s built for modern speeds. By recognizing the distinct nature of these crash types, we can shift from reactive care to proactive prevention.

 

References

• Hu, L. et al. (2020). Casualty risk of e-bike rider struck by passenger vehicle using China in-depth accident data. Traffic Injury Prevention, 21, 283–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2020.1747614
  
  

• Chang, F. et al. (2022). Crash injury severity analysis of E-Bike Riders. Safety Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105545
  
  

• Wang, Z. et al. (2021). Risk factors affecting crash injury severity. Journal of Safety Research, 76, 176–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2020.12.009
  
  

• Zhou, Y. et al. (2025). E-bike crashes: Who they affect and which circumstances to avoid?. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 19, 83–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15568318.2024.2447993
  
  

Wang, C. et al. (2024). Injury severity analysis of e-bike riders in China. International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 31, 568–578. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457300.2024.2385102