What is an e-bike and pedestrian accident claim?
An e-bike and pedestrian accident claim is a personal injury claim arising from a collision between an electric bike and someone on foot — for example on a shared path, a pavement or at a crossing. It can be brought by an injured pedestrian, or by an injured rider, depending on who was responsible.
Who is liable if an e-bike hits a pedestrian?
It depends on who was at fault. If a rider was going too fast, riding where they should not, or not paying attention, they may be liable to an injured pedestrian. If a pedestrian stepped out without looking, the rider may not be at fault — and could themselves have a claim if they were hurt.
The insurance problem — and why the type of e-bike matters
Most private e-bikes carry no insurance, which can make a claim against a rider harder to satisfy in practice. There is an important exception: a non-compliant e-bike (twist-and-go or over-powered) is treated as a motor vehicle in law, so it should be insured — and where it is not, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau may be relevant. Which situation applies is worth establishing early.
How do you trace the rider?
Identifying who was riding is often the first hurdle, especially if they did not stop. Anything that helps is worth capturing:
- The rider’s name and contact details, if you can get them safely.
- A description of the rider and the e-bike, and any delivery-company branding.
- Witnesses who saw what happened and will say so.
- Nearby CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage.
- A police report, particularly if the rider left the scene.
How long do I have to claim?
In England & Wales the general time limit for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident, under the Limitation Act 1980. For someone under 18 the three years usually runs from their 18th birthday. It is sensible to look into things early while evidence is still available.