E-Bikes and scooters: know your legal rights

In the last few years, the number of people who own and operate electric bikes and scooters has risen. As these electric bikes and scooters become more affordable many people are choosing to upgrade from their previously non-electric counterparts to speed up their method of transport. Not to mention, these electric bikes and scooters can be fun.

Although there has always been the possibility of road accidents for non-electric bikes and scooters – many of us now ask ourselves – ‘are these electric bikes and scooters more dangerous than the non-electric ones’? Although this a complex question and not one that this article will answer the reality is – what are your legal rights and entitlements if you are involved in an accident and injured while riding an electric bike or scooter.

Fortunately, in New South Wales, if you have been injured in an accident while riding your electric bike or scooter (or even if you were a passenger) or if you have been injured as a result of being in an accident with an electric bike or scooter – you may be entitled to compensation.

Your potential entitlements to compensation may include:

• payment of your regular weekly salary while you recover;
• treatment expenses;
• a claim for pain and suffering; and
• where you may not be able to return to work indefinitely, a claim for your future economic loss.

Road accidents can be serious and lifechanging.

It is important that you seek legal advice early with respect to your rights and entitlements to motor accident claims, especially within the first three months since the date of your injury.

Here at Kells, our compensation team is always ready and happy to help people with advice that they need to navigate their rights and entitlements after an injury.

If you, or somebody you know, have been injured while riding your electric (or non-electric) bike or scooter, and need help or advice navigating rights and entitlements to compensation, please reach out – we are here to help and are only a phone call or online enquiry away.