The Alarming Rise of E-Bike Accidents: What Recent Injury Data Means for Riders and Drivers

If you live in Connecticut, you have undoubtedly seen them: electric bicycles (e-bikes) zipping through intersections in Stamford, cruising down the trails in the Farmington Valley, or navigating the busy streets of New Haven. They are convenient, eco-friendly, and fun. But as their popularity has exploded, so has a darker trend: a sharp rise in serious accidents and injuries.

The road has changed for everyone—riders, parents, and drivers. The “bicycle” accidents of today often involve vehicles traveling at 28 mph, ridden by inexperienced operators in mixed traffic. The result is a spike in trauma cases that has Connecticut hospitals and lawmakers sounding the alarm.

As of October 1, 2025, Connecticut has implemented sweeping new laws to curb these dangers. Whether you ride an e-bike or drive a car alongside them, understanding these new trends and regulations is no longer optional—it is a matter of public safety and personal liability.

The Data: A Wake-Up Call for Connecticut

Calling this an “alarming rise” isn’t just a figure of speech. It is a reality backed by emergency room data across the state.

According to recent data from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, pediatric e-bike injuries have nearly tripled in just one year. From January to June 2024, the hospital treated 32 e-bike injuries. During the same period in 2025, that number skyrocketed to 92. Even more concerning is the intensity of the spike during the riding season: in May and June of 2025 alone, the hospital saw 25 injuries, compared to just 3 during those months the previous year.

This surge isn’t limited to scrapes and bruises. Dr. James Dodington of Yale Medicine has described an “explosion” in adolescent and adult injuries, noting that patients are arriving with catastrophic trauma more akin to motorcycle accidents than bicycle falls—including severe head injuries, facial fractures, and internal bleeding.

Tragically, fatalities are also on the rise. By late summer 2025, Connecticut had already recorded six to seven cyclist fatalities, a massive increase compared to the state’s recent annual averages. In previous years, the state averaged only about two to four cyclist deaths annually. This year, we have seen fatal incidents involving riders of all ages.

Why Are These Accidents Happening?

To understand the danger, you have to look at the mechanics. A traditional bicycle typically travels at 10 to 12 mph. A Class 3 e-bike can sustain speeds of 28 mph.

When a rider crashes at 28 mph, the force of impact is exponentially higher than at 12 mph. Yet, many riders—especially teenagers—have been operating these high-speed machines with little experience and inadequate protection.

Key risk factors driving this surge include:

Speed Mismatch: Drivers often misjudge the speed of an approaching e-bike, turning in front of them because they assume the rider is moving at a “bicycle” pace.
Inexperience: High-torque motors can surprise new riders, leading to loss of control, especially upon acceleration.
Lack of Protection: Until recently, many riders wore thin bicycle helmets (or no helmets at all), which are not rated for impacts at nearly 30 mph.

The New Legal Landscape for E-Bikes in Connecticut

In response to these mounting injuries, the Connecticut legislature passed Public Act No. 25-159, which took effect on October 1, 2025. These new laws fundamentally change how e-bikes are classified and regulated in the state. If you own an e-bike or allow your child to ride one, you must be in compliance immediately.

1. The Three-Class System

Connecticut now formally categorizes e-bikes into three distinct classes based on their top speed and motor function. This helps clarify which bikes belong where:

Class 1: Pedal-assist only. The motor cuts off at 20 mph.
Class 2: Throttle-assisted (can move without pedaling). The motor cuts off at 20 mph.
Class 3: Pedal-assist only. The motor cuts off at 28 mph.

2. Universal Helmet Mandate

This is perhaps the most significant safety update. Previously, helmet laws applied primarily to riders under 16. As of October 1, 2025, ALL e-bike riders and passengers—regardless of age—are required to wear a protective helmet.

Given the data on head injuries, this common-sense measure is designed to save lives. For riders of Class 3 bikes (28 mph), safety organizations strongly recommend moving beyond standard foam bike helmets to downhill mountain bike or DOT-approved moped helmets that offer facial protection.

3. Age Restrictions

To protect young riders from machines they may not be ready to handle:

Class 3 e-bikes (28 mph) are prohibited for riders under the age of 16.
Parents can be held responsible for knowingly permitting their child to violate these statutes.

4. Closing the “Super E-Bike” Loophole

A major issue in recent years has been the influx of “e-bikes” that are effectively electric motorcycles—heavy bikes with powerful motors that exceed the legal definition of a bicycle. The new law clarifies this distinction:

Any device with a motor over 750 watts but under 3,500 watts, or one that lacks operable pedals, is now defined as a “Motor-Driven Cycle.”
These are not e-bikes. To operate them, you must have a valid driver’s license, and they are subject to different rules than bicycles.
Devices over 3,500 watts are classified as motorcycles, requiring full registration, insurance, and a motorcycle endorsement.

Implications for Riders: Safety and Liability

If you are an e-bike rider, these laws are about more than avoiding a ticket. They are about protecting your life and your legal rights.

Liability in an Accident: In Connecticut, if you are injured by a negligent driver, your own adherence to the law plays a role in your claim. If you are involved in a crash while riding a Class 3 bike underage, or while riding without a helmet, insurance companies may argue that you were partially at fault (contributory negligence) or that your violation of the statute contributed to the severity of your injuries.
Where You Can Ride: Know your zone. E-bikes are generally prohibited from sidewalks (unless local ordinances say otherwise) and are strictly banned from limited-access highways and turnpikes. Furthermore, Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited from multi-use bicycle trails and paths, specifically those with natural surface treads, to protect slower pedestrians and traditional cyclists. If you are commuting on a Class 3 bike, you belong on the road, following the same traffic rules as cars.

Implications for Drivers: A New Duty of Care

For motorists, the rise of e-bikes requires a shift in driving habits. You can no longer glance at a cyclist and assume you have five seconds to make your left turn. That “cyclist” might be covering ground at 30 to 40 feet per second.

Look Twice, Turn Once: The most common e-bike accident involves a vehicle turning left in front of a rider or right-hooking them. Assume the bike is moving faster than it looks.
Respect the “Vulnerable User”: Connecticut’s Vulnerable User laws apply to e-bike riders. Inflicting bodily harm on a rider due to negligence can result in steep fines and community service requirements.
Give Them Space: When passing an e-bike, treat them like a vehicle. They may need to take the full lane to avoid debris or car doors, which is their legal right.

Moving Forward

The rise in e-bike accidents is a trend we can reverse, but it requires cooperation. The new laws, effective October 1st, provide a strong framework for safety, but laws alone cannot stop accidents.

Riders must gear up and slow down. Parents must supervise what their children are riding. And drivers must wake up to the reality that the roads are faster and more crowded than ever before. As we enjoy the benefits of this new technology, let’s ensure that our safety culture keeps pace with our speed.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-bike accident, contact Dodd Law Firm today to discuss your rights and legal options.