Rental and Electric Bike Accident Claims

Whether you were riding or hit by a rental e-bike, our expert cycle accident lawyers can help you claim compensation for your injuries, medical costs and lost income.

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 these 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 cycling and e-bike claims, including collisions involving hired vehicles and privately owned electric bikes. We’ve helped clients recover compensation for serious injuries and navigate the often-confusing question of liability.

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

Rental e-bikes are subject to the same traffic laws as other vehicles. 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.

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.

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. Even if you feel fine, it’s a good idea to get checked by a professional, as some injuries may not show symptoms right away.
2. Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including any damages to the bike, road conditions, other vehicles involved and any visible injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened, and get the driver’s insurance details if another road user was involved.
3. Report the accident: Report the incident to the rental company, the local authority and the police and keep copies of those reports. Lime bike’s terms and conditions say that you must file a report with the local police department within 24 hours if the claim involves personal injury or property damage.
4. Obtain legal advice: We’re one of the few law firms in the country that has a dedicated cycling accident team. We will help gather evidence for your personal injury claim and ensure the proper reports are filed to support your claim for compensation.

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 caused by your injury
• Any wages you’ve lost because you couldn’t work
• The cost of your medical care and recovery
• Changes you need to make to your home or car because of your injury
• Extra expenses like travel or special equipment you’ve had to buy

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 cycling and 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
• Empathetic and supportive approach from start to finish

Our specialist solicitors understand the unique risks that e-bike users face and are committed to securing the best possible outcome for you.

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