Electric Bike Safety Tips and Famous Celebrities Who Had eRideable Accidents (And How to Avoid Them)

For anyone looking for a convenient and accessible way to get around, electric rideables (or eRideables) fit the bill perfectly. From electric bikes to electric scooter — even electric skateboards — eRideables can help you save money and stay active and engaged, all while being better for the environment. In addition, older and disabled riders can reap all the benefits of cycling with the built-in assistance of an eBike — zooming up and down big hills while cheerfully waving to flagging cyclists.

However, before you hit the road, it’s crucial to brush up on safety tips, whether you have an eBike or an electric scooter. These tips will help make each ride more enjoyable and keep everyone around you out of danger. After all, you don’t want to take after some of these celebrities. 

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell famously had an accident when riding an eBike, although his was a much more powerful trail bike. A trail bike is heavier than an eBike and tends to reach much higher speeds than eCycles, which can catch some beginners off guard while riding — think up to 50 mph instead of a more sedate 15 mph. “Read the manual before you ride it for the first time,” Cowell said after being rushed to the hospital. He suffered a spinal fracture — something that may have been preventable had he done that basic step!

Electric motorbikes can go even faster and are designed to go on the road. Full equipment is highly recommended here, as sliding 300 yards on your unprotected face is, at the very least, described as “uncomfortable.”

Important to Note: Cowell’s accident wasn’t really on an eBike in the sense that we’re talking about. His was an imported SWIND EB-01 electric motorbike with a whopping 15 kilowatt motor, versus the standard eBike with a 250-500 watt motor.

Rihanna

Another megastar who has been spotted on an eBike is Rihanna. The singing sensation sustained minor injuries after the electric scooter she was riding flipped over and hit her in the face. While it’s unclear whether she was wearing a helmet, Rihanna would likely have been better protected had she been wearing a full helmet that protects the chin, head and sides. Of course, hat hair quickly becomes an issue for the glamorous. 

Electric Rideble Safety Precautions

Don’t let these celebrity stories stop you from enjoying your eRideable, whether it’s an electric bike, electric scooter — even an electric skateboard. By following these five essential tips, you can make the most of your journey, without ending up on the front page.

1. Wear a Helmet and Pads

It may be a basic tip, but wearing a helmet and pads is crucial to your overall safety while riding. Always take a moment before hopping on your bike to put on a high-quality helmet and pads to help keep you properly protected throughout your ride. In addition to helping prevent injuries, a good helmet offers vital sun protection and helps keep you warm in cold weather.

Important SWAG Tips: Need help finding the best helmet? Read our 5 Tips for Getting the Perfect Fit.

2. Read the Manual

Again, we echo Cowell’s words of advice: “read the manual.” Every eBike comes with a manual and reading through the entire thing helps you stay safe on the road, unlike poor Simon. Some examples of information you’ll find inside your manual include:

• Useful tips on how your bike works
• Guidelines on properly maintaining it
• Various features included in your bike

Many instruction manuals also provide guidelines on riding in dangerous conditions, such as wet weather and night riding.

3. Understand Your eRideable

If you really want to become well acquainted with your rideable, it’s important to spend more time with it. Try out the different features and get a feel for your vehicle before you go for your first ride. The more preparation you do ahead of time, the more confident you’ll be on the road. At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for practice. Through patience and trial and error, riding your electric bicycle will become second nature.

4. Monitor Your Speed

Because electric bikes are equipped with pedal assist, it can be tempting to start your ride at high speed. However, you may want to hold off on careening down the road until you’ve grown more accustomed to your bike. Start at a slower rate to get a feel for the bike, and then gradually increase it as you get more comfortable.

For added safety, make sure your eRideable has the ability to detect and display your speed.

5. Add Accessories to Enhance Safety

Visibility is even more important when you’re riding an eBike. To ensure that other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists can see you clearly, add accessories to your bike that make you more noticeable. A bell and lights are the most basic essentials, but there are plenty of other eBike safety features that you can add to your ride. Our swagLIGHT Quad and swagLIGHT Duo lets you add extra visibility to your bike, controlled by your iPhone. Perfect for the growing number of Night Ride events throughout the U.S.

An eBike is a highly convenient and enjoyable mode of transport that pro cyclists and amateurs alike can benefit from. And electric scooters make for a fun time for riders of all ages. But from Simon Cowell to Rianna —take a page from these celebrities and avoid becoming a statistic by following the above safety guidelines. Then get to eRidin’!