Electric bicycles have gained increasing popularity among consumers for being economical, easy to learn, and convenient, becoming an important means of transportation for urban and rural residents. Recently, with another cold wave hitting, some electric bike riders have started wearing their jackets backward while riding to block the wind and keep warm. This bad habit has even become common among electric bike users. Little do they know that while they seek warmth, significant traffic safety risks “come along for the ride.”
Case Studies
30-year-old man wearing jacket backward on an e-bike
Sustains injury and dies because he can’t save himself
Riding with your jacket on backward is like tying your hands — a dangerous risk: Not long ago, a man in his 30s in Henglin Town, Wujin District, Changzhou, was riding an electric tricycle to work when the brakes failed, causing him to fall. He was pinned under the vehicle and died despite rescue efforts that day.
How could falling off an electric tricycle be fatal? According to witnesses, the man was wearing a long black coat backward and was riding at high speed. Police analysis suggests that if he hadn’t been wearing his jacket backward, he would have instinctively used his arms to brace himself when falling. In this accident, however, his arms were restricted by the jacket, and due to the high speed, he couldn’t save himself when he fell, leading to a head injury — the main cause of death. Unfortunately, such accidents are not isolated incidents.
On the morning of November 9, 2012, a young man in Huangshi City, Hubei Province, was riding a motorcycle when the bus ahead stopped at a station. Following too closely, he braked suddenly and swerved to avoid it, but his arms were restricted, causing him to fall heavily.
On the morning of December 22, 2012, Ms. Liu from Jinan City, Shandong Province, was riding an electric bike when the large coat she had worn backward kept slipping down, and cold air kept blowing through the collar. As she tried to pull one side of the collar up, the other side of the coat got caught in the rear wheel, causing her to fall and dislocate her shoulder.
Analysis
In emergencies
Clothing entanglement can be deadly
“In emergencies, clothing entanglement can be deadly,” said a traffic police officer from the Wujin District Public Security Bureau Traffic Patrol Police Brigade in Changzhou. “As temperatures drop, riding with jackets worn backward has become increasingly common. We warn and correct riders during routine patrols, but many still don’t take it seriously.”
Police explained that clothing is designed based on the human body’s shape. Wearing it backward inevitably affects flexibility. Moreover, when riding with a jacket on backward, buttons can’t be fastened properly. The jacket tends to slide down as the bike moves, interfering with the rider’s ability to operate the handlebars. Since the primary controls for electric bikes and bicycles are handled with the hands, such restrictions can be fatal in emergencies.
Additionally, emergencies happen in a split second, requiring not only quick reactions but also strong physical support. When a vehicle is about to tip or fall, riders instinctively use their hands to brace themselves. But if the arms are restricted by a backward jacket, they can’t provide support upon falling, causing the rider to collapse unprotected. If the head is the first part to hit the ground, the consequences can be severe.
Reminder
Large gloves fixed onto handlebars
Are also not recommended
It is understood that winter accessories like hats and gloves can also pose safety risks. Staying warm is crucial when riding in winter. However, some people flip up their hooded jackets and wear scarves over their faces, leaving only their eyes exposed. This blocks much of their peripheral vision — a serious and dangerous mistake. It is recommended to wear a safety helmet instead, preferably one with small holes near the ears to hear approaching vehicles’ horns.
Currently, there are also large, padded gloves on the market that can be directly attached to handlebars. While not as dangerous as wearing a jacket backward, they can still affect the rider’s ability to steer, so it’s best to avoid using them.