Electric Bike Menace

One Serious Crash Can Cost Hundreds of Thousands of Shillings

Imagine an e-bike rider breaks a leg after colliding with a matatu.

The rider may need:

• Ambulance transport

• Emergency treatment

• X-rays

• Surgery

• Hospital admission

• Medicine

• Physiotherapy

A serious injury can easily cost KES 300,000 to over KES 1 million at major private hospitals in Nairobi.

Now imagine hundreds of similar crashes happening every year.

Insurance companies suddenly receive many expensive claims.

That's the problem.

To keep paying claims, insurers sometimes increase premiums for new and existing customers.

E-Bike Injuries in Kenya Have Increased.

On a busy Monday morning along Thika Road, Jane watched an electric bike zip quietly between cars. A few seconds later, the rider hit a pothole, lost control, and crashed into another motorcycle. People rushed to help. An ambulance arrived. Traffic stopped for almost an hour.

Jane asked his boyfriend one simple question.

"Why are there so many accidents with electric bikes?"

His boyfriend had another surprise.

"When accidents increase, insurance becomes more expensive."

That sounded strange.

After all, why should careful riders pay more because other people crash?

Here's the thing.

Insurance works like a big team. Everyone pays a little money into one pool. When someone gets hurt, the insurance company uses that pool to pay hospital bills or repair damaged property.

If too many riders get injured, the company pays out more money than expected.

That's why premiums often rise.

 

What Is an E-Bike?

An electric bike, often called an e-bike, looks like a normal bicycle or motorcycle.

The difference is simple.

It uses a battery and an electric motor to help it move.

Some models can travel at speeds above 50 kilometres per hour.

Many businesses now use them for:

• Food delivery

• Parcel delivery

• Commuting

• Small business transport

They have become popular because electricity usually costs less than petrol.

 

Why Are More E-Bike Riders Getting Hurt?

Several reasons explain the increase.

First, many new riders have little riding experience.

Some people buy an e-bike today and start riding in busy traffic tomorrow.

Second, some riders ignore helmets.

A helmet cannot stop an accident.

It can save a life.

Third, speeding remains a major problem.

Electric bikes accelerate quickly.

Some riders forget they still share the road with pedestrians, matatus and trucks.

Fourth, poor roads increase danger.

Deep potholes, loose gravel and broken drainage covers make riders lose balance.

Finally, some delivery riders rush because they want to complete more trips each day.

That pressure increases risk.

 

Why Do Insurance Companies Care About More Injuries?

Insurance companies promise to help people after accidents.

When injuries increase, claim payments also increase.

Think about a piggy bank.

Ten friends each put in KES 100.

The piggy bank now holds KES 1,000.

If one friend needs KES 100, plenty remains.

But what happens if eight friends suddenly need KES 500 each?

The money runs out.

Insurance works in a similar way.

Companies must collect enough premiums to pay future claims.

If claims become bigger and more frequent, premiums often rise.

 

How Do Higher Premiums Affect Riders?

Some riders notice they pay more during renewal.

Others find stricter insurance conditions.

Insurance companies may also:

• Ask more questions before issuing a policy.

• Check riding history.

• Increase excess payments.

• Offer discounts only to safer riders.

Safe riders still benefit because they usually make fewer claims over time.

 

What Types of Insurance Help E-Bike Riders?

Different policies protect different risks.

Motorcycle Insurance

This protects riders against accidents, theft and damage depending on the cover chosen.

Personal Accident Insurance

This pays benefits if the rider suffers injuries, permanent disability or death after an accident.

Medical Insurance

Health insurance helps pay hospital bills after covered injuries.

Third-Party Insurance

This helps pay for damage or injuries caused to other people.

Buying the right combination gives families better financial protection.

 

Which Places in Kenya Report Many Motorcycle and E-Bike Accidents?

Busy towns naturally experience more crashes because they have heavier traffic.

These include:

• Nairobi

• Mombasa

• Nakuru

• Kisumu

• Eldoret

• Thika

Roads with many commercial riders also experience more accidents.

Examples include:

• Thika Road

• Mombasa Road

• Waiyaki Way

• Jogoo Road

• Outer Ring Road

Heavy traffic, impatient drivers and congestion create extra danger.

 

How Much Can One Road Accident Cost?

Expense                                   Estimated Cost (KES)

Ambulance                         5,000–20,000

Emergency treatment       20,000–80,000

Surgery                              100,000–500,000

Hospital stay                       30,000–300,000

Medicine                              10,000–100,000

Physiotherapy                      20,000–150,000

Total possible cost              185,000–1,150,000+

These figures show why insurance companies pay close attention to injury trends.

 

How Can Riders Help Keep Insurance Premiums Lower?

Safer roads benefit everyone.

Riders can:

• Wear a certified helmet every trip.

• Ride within speed limits.

• Avoid using phones while riding.

• Follow traffic lights.

• Keep brakes and tyres in good condition.

• Ride only when well rested.

• Carry passengers safely.

• Respect pedestrians.

Fewer accidents mean fewer claims.

Fewer claims help control insurance costs.

 

Need Motorcycle or Personal Accident Insurance?

Protect yourself before the unexpected happens. Compare affordable insurance plans from trusted Kenyan insurers through GetCovered Kenya and choose cover that matches your budget.

 

Why Should Families Care About E-Bike Safety?

Many e-bike riders support entire families.

When a rider gets injured, several people feel the impact.

Children may miss school.

Businesses lose deliveries.

Families spend savings on treatment.

Insurance reduces that financial shock.

Road safety prevents it from happening in the first place.

Both matter.

 

Can Technology Make E-Bikes Safer?

Yes.

Many newer e-bikes now include:

• Better braking systems

• Stronger lights

• Battery monitoring

• Speed limit controls

• GPS tracking

Technology helps.

Safe riding matters even more.

 

What Can Motorbike training schools Teach Kenyans About E-Bike Safety?

Children should learn:

• Never cross roads while looking at a phone.

• Always use pedestrian crossings.

• Watch for silent electric bikes.

• Wear helmets when riding bicycles.

• Never ride without an adult if they are too young.

• Respect traffic signs.

Road safety starts early.

Those lessons can save lives.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are insurance premiums increasing for some motorcycle riders?

Insurance companies pay more claims when accidents and injuries increase. Higher claim costs can lead to higher premiums.

2. Are e-bikes safer than petrol motorcycles?

E-bikes can be safe when riders wear helmets, follow traffic rules and ride responsibly. Unsafe behaviour increases the risk of crashes regardless of the type of bike.

3. Does health insurance pay after an e-bike accident?

Many health insurance policies cover treatment after road accidents, depending on the policy terms and limits.

4. What insurance should an e-bike rider consider?

Motorcycle insurance, personal accident insurance and medical insurance provide valuable financial protection for many riders.

5. Can safe riding reduce insurance costs?

Yes. Riders with fewer accidents often present lower risk over time, and insurers may reward safer behaviour through better pricing or discounts where applicable.

 

Final Thoughts

Electric bikes have made transport faster, quieter and cheaper for many Kenyans. They also create new safety challenges. Every crash affects riders, families, hospitals and insurance companies. When injuries increase, claim payments increase. Higher claims often push insurance premiums upward.

The good news is simple.

Every safe ride makes a difference.

Wear a helmet. Follow traffic rules. Service your bike regularly. Choose the right insurance before you need it. Those small decisions protect your health, your money and your future.