Coronavirus has impacted the choices we make. Masks and sanitizers have become the new norm, and social distancing has become a popular slogan. Similarly, people are more comfortable traveling alone rather than public transportation. This gave rise to an increase in the purchase of electric bikes (e-bikes). E-bikes are not only for the sake of avoiding public transportation, but people are enjoying the emptier roads to materialize their fantasies of roaring across the roads on the E-bikes.
According to a Google report, the search for ‘best electric bikes’ had a spike soon after the COVID-19 pandemic had hit the world.
Among these people, there is also a famous celebrity figure who experimented with his e-bike only to end up with broken bones.
Simon Cowell, a judge of the famous show ‘America’s Got Talent (AGT),’ broke his backbone at multiple places while trying his new e-bike at his Malibu home in front of his family.
He underwent an extensive five to six hours of surgery, during which surgeons placed a metal rod in his back.
According to a source: “He has had to have a number of fusions and metal rod put into his back.”
After recovering, Simon advised all his fans through twitter to be careful and know the water before swimming. He said:
“Some good advice … If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time. I have broken part of my back. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages.”
Soon after this accident in the US, the UK Bicycle Association calmed down the wave of fear by clarifying that the e-bikes sold at most of the bike shops in the UK are not similar to the one that resulted in Simon’s accident. Simon was experimenting with a much more powerful e-bike than the majority sold in the UK.
The bike Simon was riding was a “Swind EB-01”, with 60 mph top speed and with a 15 kW (20 horsepower) motor, which is classified as en electric motorbike in the UK requiring an approval, license, registration, and tax too. In contrast, in the UK, e-bikes have no throttle, limited speed of up to 15.5 mph (25 km/hr) and are of 250 W (1/3 horsepower) max with functional pedals.
Nonetheless, whichever e-bike is purchased, it is best to read and understand the instructions before the first ride. Prevention is always better than cure!
