Spring has arrived in Minnesota, and that means bike season is kicking into high gear. As the temperatures warm up, you’ll see more and more cyclists taking to the roads and trails around the Twin Cities. However, this year there is an added element that all residents need to be aware of – the increasing popularity of electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes).
The ownership and usage of e-bikes has been growing rapidly, and that trend is about to accelerate even further in Minnesota. Starting July 1, 2024, the state is launching the Electric-Assisted Bicycle Rebate program to make e-bikes more affordable for residents. The rebate provides a discount of up to $1,500 (50-75% of the purchase price depending on income) for qualifying new e-bike purchases from participating retailers.
With this financial incentive, we can expect a significant spike in e-bike adoption across Minnesota in the coming years. While an incredible option for eco-friendly transportation and mobility, e-bikes allow cyclists to reach higher speeds than traditional pedal bicycles – up to 28 mph in many cases. This increased speed differential can lead to more serious injuries if a collision or accident occurs.
Our Personal Injury Attorney Scott Kruger quoted, “If you are buying a new electric-assisted bicycle you should check with your insurance company to see if you need to add medical pay insurance to your policy. Under Minnesota Statute 169.011, an electric-assisted bicycle is only treated like a traditional bicycle if the motor has an output less than 750 watts. If you use an e-bike with a higher output, you run the risk of losing your no-fault benefits.”
In summary, ebikes could be considered equal to motorcycles and you need to make sure you have the right kind of insurance that can help you in the event of an accident.
Minneapolis in particular has been making strides as a bike-friendly city, with 21 miles of on-street protected bike lanes and 106 miles of off-street paths already in place. However, recent data shows there were still 199 collisions between bikes and vehicles in Hennepin County in 2022, resulting in 35 serious injuries requiring ambulance transport.
As cycling infrastructure continues to be built out, user safety must remain the top priority for both cyclists and motorists sharing the roads. All road users need to exercise increased awareness and caution, especially around e-bikes that can reach higher speeds.
For cyclists, always wear a properly fitted helmet and bright/reflective clothing. Obey all traffic signals and rules of the road. Use hand signals for turns and ride predictably. And get your e-bike speed under control in intersections, crossings and anywhere vehicle traffic is present.
For drivers, allow at least three feet when passing a cyclist. Check over your shoulder and blind spots before turning or opening doors. Be extra cautious around intersections and crossings where fast-moving e-bikes could appear unexpectedly.
By prioritizing safety and watching out for one another, Minnesota residents can help prevent injuries while still taking full advantage of the eco-friendly transportation benefits that e-bikes provide. Cycling is instrumental to achieving our climate goals, but only if we make road safety the top priority this bike season and beyond.
