Research
EBIKE INTEREST SURGES 70% AFTER THE CLOCK CHANGE BUT LESS THAN 1 IN 5 (19%) EBIKE USERS WILL WEAR A HELMET
Angelica Solutions warns of escalating road risks and insurance gaps
Key stats
- Only 46% of eBike riders stop at red lights (vs. 64% of traditional cyclists)
- 52% of London eBike riders stop at red lights at rush hour – this drops to 32% of eBikers outside of rush hour
- Just 19% of eBike riders wear helmets (vs. 58% of standard cyclists)
- Among delivery riders 80% of whom use eBikes only 16% wear helmets, despite covering 100–200 miles per week18
Just 19% of eBike riders wear helmets, and on weekends, that figure drops to 14%. These are among the key findings from Pedalling into the Unknown – The Hidden Human and Insurance Costs of the UK’s eBike Boom a new white paper published today from data-led insurance consultancy Angelica Solutions. The paper highlights that the rapid growth of eBike usage across UK cities is outpacing the frameworks designed to keep roads safe, with insurers and motorists increasingly left to absorb the consequences.
Demand for eBiking is accelerating, both year on year and at this time of year. With online searches up 70%12 in the second quarter compared to the first and Lime reporting an 85% increase in total journeys in 202417, 19, this in turn sees exposure to new, unregulated forms of risk also increase.
Riders are travelling faster and further on heavier vehicles, often without adequate safety measures, training, or regulation. Helmet usage is worryingly low across the board but particularly among delivery riders – only 16% wear one despite clocking up between 100 and 200 miles each week18.
Rider behaviour data shows a significant deviation from traffic compliance norms. Just 46% of eBike users stop at red lights, compared to 64% of traditional cyclists. This risk profile intensifies for non-helmet wearers, who are nearly twice as likely to run red lights. These trends are not only a road safety concern, but they could be rewriting the risks covered by motor and liability insurance products as we have a growing number of uninsured and untraceable road users creating risks not just for themselves but all those around them. Motor insurers (and therefore drivers) could be left picking up the costs.
Despite steering more towards mopeds in weight and speed than traditional bikes, eBikes remain unregistered and untraceable. 90% of serious cycling collisions involve another vehicle2-7, and in many cases, drivers are left carrying the liability burden in the absence of traceable rider data.
“We’re seeing a major disconnect and flying blind at the moment,” said Sarah Vaughan, Founder and Director of Angelica Solutions. “There is no systematic collection of data on eBike collisions, meaning we can’t quantify the scale of risk or respond effectively. One of the simplest, immediate steps we can take is to start capturing consistent, detailed data on eBikes involved in collisions. Without this, we’re asking both policy and insurance systems to evolve without the right intel.”
“eBikes offer brilliant potential as a sustainable transport mode, but right now, they’re being integrated into road systems without the rules or safeguards that protect everyone involved. Insurers, policymakers, and safety bodies need to catch up urgently.”
The white paper also highlights a sharp weekend spike in risk. In London, eBikes account for nearly half of all bikes used at weekends, up from 38% on weekdays. Yet helmet usage falls even further during this period, just as national cycling fatality rates rise by 13%2-7.
“More collaboration is needed across sectors to adapt to this changing landscape,” continues Sarah Vaughan “including the introduction of minimum safety standards, clarity on liability frameworks, and data-driven insurance products that reflect emerging mobility trends.
“This isn’t about pushing back against innovation. It’s about gathering evidence to make smarter choices and making sure new transport behaviours don’t outpace the systems designed to manage their risks. If we don’t act now, the cost won’t just be financial, it will be measured in lives.”
About Angelica Solutions
Angelica Solutions Services focuses on delivering data-driven and actuarial solutions tailored for the insurance sector. Its expertise covers all aspects of personal lines insurance, such as motor, home, and pet insurance, providing insurance companies insights derived from data in areas like risk pricing, claims analytics, price optimisation, and claims reserving. Additionally, it offers interim resources and training for pricing teams and advises on structuring an effective pricing and underwriting function.
Methodology
How was the data collected?
This study combines observational data collected across urban and semi-urban locations in the UK, with publicly available datasets from STATS19 (Road Safety Data), CrimeRate UK, Government transport reports, and Google Trends. Observations were conducted in 12 locations including key hotspots for cycling and e-bike usage. Helmet use, delivery status, and vehicle type (bike vs e-bike) were noted in real-time.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1Crime Rate. “Bicycle Theft Stats and Figures”
Accessed 17/03/2025
2STATS19, Road Safety Data. “Road Safety Data – Casualties 1979 – Latest Published Year”.
https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/cb7ae6f0-4be6-4935-9277-47e5ce24a11f/road-accidents-safety-data
Accessed 24/03/2025
3STATS19, Road Safety Data. “Road Safety Data – Collisions 1979 – Latest Published Year”.
https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/cb7ae6f0-4be6-4935-9277-47e5ce24a11f/road-accidents-safety-data
Accessed 24/03/2025
4STATS19, Road Safety Data. “Road Safety Data – Vehicles 1979 – Latest Published Year”.
https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/cb7ae6f0-4be6-4935-9277-47e5ce24a11f/road-accidents-safety-data
Accessed 24/03/2025
5STATS19, Road Safety Data. “Road Safety Data – Casualties Adjustment Lookup 2004 – Latest Published Year”.
https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/cb7ae6f0-4be6-4935-9277-47e5ce24a11f/road-accidents-safety-data
Accessed 24/03/2025
6STATS19, Road Safety Data. “Road Safety Data – Collision Adjustment Lookup 2004 – Latest Published Year”.
https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/cb7ae6f0-4be6-4935-9277-47e5ce24a11f/road-accidents-safety-data
Accessed 24/03/2025
7STATS19, Road Safety Data. “Road Safety Data – Vehicles Adjustment Lookup 2004 – Latest Published Year”.
https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/cb7ae6f0-4be6-4935-9277-47e5ce24a11f/road-accidents-safety-data
Accessed 24/03/2025
8Road Traffic Estimates. “TRA0101: Road traffic (vehicle miles) by vehicle type in Great Britain, annual from 1949”.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/road-traffic-statistics-tra
Accessed 24/03/2025
9Road Traffic Estimates. “TRA0401: Pedal cycle traffic (vehicle miles / kilometres) in Great Britain, annual from 1949”.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/road-traffic-statistics-tra
Accessed 24/03/2025
10National Travel Survey. “NTS0303c: Average distance travelled by mode (miles per person per year): England, 2002 onwards”.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/nts03-modal-comparisons
Accessed 20/03/25
11Google Trends. “ebikes”. Google Trends,
https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2015-01-01%202025-05-15&geo=GB&q=ebikes&hl=en
Accessed 17/03/2025
12Google Trends. “ebike hire”. Google Trends,
https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2015-01-01%202025-05-15&geo=GB&q=ebike%20hire&hl=en
Accessed 17/03/2025
13The Independent. “Cyclist ordered to pay £105,000 for knocking over woman who crossed road looking at phone”.
Accessed 17/03/2025
14The Verge. “Lime says it will spend $50 million on a huge eBike expansion”
https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/1/22303364/lime-ebike-expansion-new-cities-50-million-investment
Accessed 17/03/2025
15Bicycle Warehouse. “How Much Does A Bicycle Weigh?”
Accessed 17/03/2025
16Ebike Positive. “Introducing the E‑Bike Positive Campaign”
Accessed 17/03/2025
17Labour List. “‘Why shared eBikes are an essential part of Labour’s local transport decarbonisation ambitions’”
https://labourlist.org/2024/09/eBikes-labour-local-transport-ambitions-lime
Accessed 17/03/25
18SRP8:Delivery Cyclists
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/media/13971/delivery-cyclists-insights-into-an-overlooked-demographic-report.pdf
Accessed 15/05/2025
19Lime – Meeting London’s growing demand
Accessed 26/04/2025
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Company name: ANGELICA SOLUTIONS SERVICES LIMITED
Company number: 11905926
Incorporated: 26th March 2019