Trends in Electric Bike–Related Injury in China, 2004-2010

This study describes electric bike–related injuries from 2004 to 2010, and suggests injury prevention strategies to reduce electric bike–related injuries in China and other countries. Electric bike–related injuries data were obtained from the Bureau of Traffic Management at the Ministry of Public Security. Linear regression was used to identify statistically significant trends in electric bike–related injuries over the period. The results showed electric bike–related nonfatal injury rate had increased almost 4-fold and mortality rate increased 6-fold from 2004 to 2010. Linear regression showed a significant increase of 0.23 per 100 000 population per year (95% confidence interval = 0.18-0.29, P < .001) in the casualty rate from electric bike–related road traffic injuries. China will face new challenges arising from electric bike–related injuries. Programs need to be developed to prevent nonfatal injuries and fatalities caused by electric bike–related crashes in this country.