Another South Jersey e-Bike Crash Raises Safety Concerns

There was another crash involving an e-bike on Tuesday in South Jersey.

This one happened on Route 9 in Stafford Township when a vehicle turning at an intersection hit the rider.

South Jersey hospitals have seen an increase in e-bike injuries this year, including a fatal crash in July that killed a 14-year-old e-bike rider.

Cooper University Hospital in Camden says doctors are reporting a significant increase in e-bike-related injuries, traumatic brain injuries and fractures.

Many towns are discussing stricter regulations to address the rise in accidents in South Jersey and across the state. 

Stafford Two Police e-Bike Accident Re-cap

Stafford Township Police say a 33-year-old was riding his e-bike on Route 9 in Stafford on Tuesday afternoon when he was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Littleworth Road.

NJ.com reports that the man was hit by a vehicle while trying to turn into the intersection on the northbound side.

The man suffered an injury to his leg and possibly a head injury. He was flown to the trauma unit at AtlantiCar Atlantic City.

A Real-Life Dangerous E-Bike Intersection Scenario

I witnessed a close call on Tuesday involving an e-bike crossing at a busy intersection. While this is only observational, it seems to me that the drivers and e-bike riders are confused about who has the right of way.

I was waiting at the busy intersection of Bay Avenue and Asbury Avenue when a 40-year-old-looking e-bike rider crossed in front of the stopped traffic on Bay Avenue and hit the stoplight button to cross Asbury Avenue.

When the turn light signal for the people going left over the Ocean City 9th Street bridge turned green, the e-biker immediately pulled out in the intersection. The first cars in each turn lane had to make a sudden stop to avoid hitting the guy on the e-bike.

It was pretty scary for a second. Then the e-biker rode on, and the drivers finished making their turn.

The cars turning had treated the e-biker like he was a vehicle and assumed he would wait for his light to turn green -- which he didn't.

Having pushed the walk button, the e-biker considered himself a pedestrian and crossed even though the opposite way had the right of way.

It's kind of an odd time for a walk signal, isn't it?

Who had the right of way? I'm not sure, but I know it came really close to the e-biker getting hit by a car.

If a 40-year-old guy doesn't know whose turn it is to go, chances are your 13-year-old doesn't know either.

E-bike safety courses are needed in South Jersey.