Rental and Electric Bike Accident Claims

If you’ve been injured while riding an electric bike or hit by a rental e-bike rider, you may be entitled to compensation. These accidents are becoming increasingly common cross the UK, particularly in major cities such as London, Bristol, and Manchester, where hire schemes like Lime, Forest, Santander Bikes and Dott operate. While electric bikes make cycling more accessible, their extra weight and higher speeds have led to a rise in serious collisions involving riders, road users and pedestrians.

Osbornes Law is experienced in handling complex e-bike claims, particularly those involving hire-scheme bikes, maintenance failures and disputes over insurance cover. We’ve helped clients recover compensation for serious injuries and navigate the often-confusing question of liability between riders, hire companies and local authorities.

Our expert solicitors can advise you on your rights and help you claim compensation for medical costs, loss of earnings, and other damages. We offer a free initial consultation and handle most claims on a no win, no fee basis.

Can I make a rental or electric bike accident claim?

You may be able to make a personal injury claim if:

• You were riding a rented e-bike and were injured due to another road user’s negligence
• You were struck by an e-bike rider while walking or cycling
• You were injured due to a fault with the bike or docking station
• You were involved in a collision caused by poor road conditions
• You may also have a claim if a hire company failed to maintain the bike properly, or if the terms of use placed you at risk due to unclear or unsafe instructions

Rental e-bikes are subject to the same traffic laws as other vehicles, but hire-scheme bike carry additional responsibilities. Riders must follow the Highway Code, and companies providing these bikes have a duty to maintain them in a roadworthy condition. If someone breached this duty, you could have grounds for a claim.

If a rider, hire company or local authority has breached their duty of care, you could have grounds for a claim.

For information about how the claims process works in general, you can read our main guide to cycling accident claims.

Who is responsible in a rental e-bike accident?

Liability in electric bike accidents can be complex, especially when a rental service is involved. Responsibility may lie with:

• Another road user (e.g. driver, cyclist) who caused the accident
• The rental company, if the bike was defective or poorly maintained
• A local authority, if the accident was caused by an unsafe road surface
• A negligent e-bike rider, if you were injured as a pedestrian or cyclist

At Osbornes, we’ll investigate your case in detail to identify who is at fault. We can obtain maintenance records, witness evidence and CCTV footage to support your claim and where necessary, liaise directly with the hire operator.

Common causes of e-bike injuries

We regularly help clients who have suffered injuries caused by:

• Defective brakes or throttle systems on rental e-bikes
• Unexpected battery failures or electrical faults
• Accidents at docking stations or on uneven pavements
• Collisions at speed with cars, HGVs, taxis or other cyclists
• Riders losing control on hills or during braking

E-bikes are heavier and faster than standard bicycles, which can increase the severity of injuries. Inexperienced riders, combined with busy traffic in congested cities, raise the risk further.

Watch: Legal insights on rental and e-bike accidents

In this video, our expert solicitors explain the legal issues surrounding rental e-bike collisions, how liability is determined, and what your options are if you’ve been injured.

Steps to take after a rental e-bike accident

1. Seek medical attention: Your health and safety should always be your top priority.
2. Document the scene: Take photos of the bike, any part that has malfunctioned, the docking station and road conditions.
3. Report the accident: Report the incident to the rental company, the local authority and the police. Lime Bike’s terms require ire reporting within 24 hours
4. Obtain legal advice: Our dedicated cycling accident team can gather evidence, including maintenance logs and app data from the rental company.

What compensation can I claim?

There is no set amount you could claim for an electric bike accident.

When we know the details of your accident, we will calculate how much money you might be able to get as compensation. This could cover things like:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost earnings
• Medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Home and vehicle adaptations
• Travel and equipment costs
• Any long-term impact on your ability to work or live independently

Injuries we can help you claim for

Our team has experience with a wide range of injuries resulting from e-bike accidents, including:

• Fractures and broken bones
• Head and brain injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Cuts and lacerations

We’ll make sure your compensation covers medical treatment, rehabilitation, time off work, and any long-term impact on your quality of life.

Case studies:

Rental e-bike collision with no insurance cover

Our client, Mohamed Ressum, suffered life-changing injuries, including a brain bleed and broken ribs, after being hit by a Forest rental e-bike ridden at speed by a teenager. Despite needing emergency brain surgery and being unable to work, Mohamed was unable to claim compensation because the bike hire company did not carry public liability insurance. Osbornes Law is calling for a change in the law to better protect victims of e-bike collisions.

Injured on a faulty rental electric bicycle

Elliot Poole, a 31-year-old from South London, suffered a head injury, broken thumb and memory loss after the seat fell off his Lime rental bike mid-ride. Disoriented and confused, Elliot made it home but later collapsed and was rushed to A&E. His case is one of many involving poorly maintained Lime bikes. Read the full story here.

Why choose Osbornes Law?

• Recognised experts in e-bike accident claims
• Strong track record of success in complex personal injury cases
• Ranked in Chambers UK and The Legal 500
• Accredited by APIL and members of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel
• Specialist experience involving Lime, Forest, Santander and other hire operators

Start your e-bike accident claim today

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a rental or electric bike, speak to our specialist team. We’ll explain your legal options, assess your claim, and support you every step of the way.

Contact us for a free, confidential consultation today by:

• Filling in our online enquiry form; or
• Calling us on 020 7485 8811