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Citation |
Hertach P, Uhr A, Niemann S, Cavegn M. Accid. Anal. Prev. 2018; 117: 232-238. |
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Affiliation |
Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (bfu), Hodlerstrasse 5a, CH-3011, Bern, Switzerland. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
29723734 |
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Abstract |
In Switzerland, the usage and accident numbers of e-bikes have strongly increased in recent years. According to official statistics, single-vehicle accidents constitute an important crash type. Up to date, very little is known about the mechanisms and causes of these crashes. To gain more insight, a survey was conducted among 3658 e-cyclists in 2016. The crash risk and injury severity were analysed using logistic regression models. 638 (17%) e-cyclists had experienced a single-vehicle accident in road traffic since the beginning of their e-bike use. Risk factors were high riding exposure, male sex, and using the e-bike mainly for the purpose of getting to work or school. There was no effect of age on the crash risk. Skidding, falling while crossing a threshold, getting into or skidding on a tram/railway track and evasive actions were the most important accident mechanisms. The crash causes mentioned most often were a slippery road surface, riding too fast for the situation and inability to keep the balance. Women, elderly people, riders of e-bikes with a pedal support up to 45 km/h and e-cyclists who considered themselves to be less fit in comparison to people of the same age had an increased risk of injury. This study confirms the high relevance of single-vehicle crashes with e-bikes. Measures to prevent this type of accident could include the sensitisation of e-cyclists regarding the most common accident mechanisms and causes, a regular maintenance of bicycle pathways, improvements regarding tram and railway tracks and technological advancements of e-bikes. Language: en |
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Keywords |
Accident; E-bike; E-cyclist; Electric bicycle; Single-vehicle crash in road traffic; Survey |