EQS-News : Baloise crash test: when electric bikes are spotted too late

EQS Group-News: Baloise Holding AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous 
Baloise crash test: when electric bikes are spotted too late 
2021-07-09 / 07:00 
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Media information 
Basel, 9 July 2021. Bicycles fitted with an electric motor have become increasingly popular in recent years, and the 
coronavirus pandemic has boosted demand even more. Firstly, electric bikes offer a practical alternative to public 
transport. Secondly, Switzerland has seen a significant change in how people spend their leisure time and holidays: The 
Swiss have fallen back in love with spending time in the great outdoors. But how safe are electric bikes, and what 
might happen in the event of an accident? Baloise teamed up with Dynamic Test Center AG, the Basel traffic police, the 
Working Group on Accident Mechanics (AGU Zurich), Mercedes-Benz Trucks Schweiz AG and the Bike Factory to carry out a 
number of tests. 
'There are more and more electric bikes on our roads. Today, we would like to recreate various situations in order to 
raise awareness about electric bikes among road users,' explains Daniel Junker, Head of Vehicle Experts at Baloise. 
The first crash test recreates a collision between a car and an electric bike at a branch in the road. The car and the 
electric bike approach each other at a very tight angle. The driver is unable to see the cyclist or has only a very 
restricted view. Afterwards, Rolf Thommen, who heads up the Basel traffic police, analyses the scene of the accident: 
'In a scenario such as this, it is very difficult for the driver of the car to take the correct action as the 
restricted visibility means that they do not spot the cyclist in time and probably misjudge the bike's speed.' 
Practical tests have been conducted that show how difficult it is to estimate the speed at which an electric bike is 
travelling. 'An initial, quick glance often does not reveal that the bike is electric. Based on our past experience, we 
tend to assume that it is moving at the pace of a traditional bike and are then surprised at how soon it reaches us,' 
says Marius Bloch from Dynamic Test Center AG. 
Further practical tests on the track show the difference between electric bikes that have been fitted with ABS and 
those that have not: 'If an electric bike without ABS brakes suddenly, the front wheel will lock or slide sideways, 
leading to a fall. In the event of an emergency stop, an ABS system will also stop the rear wheel from rising up and 
the rider from being thrown over the handlebars. Although an electric bike with ABS is a bigger investment, it pays off 
very quickly if you bear in mind that it can prevent a fall,' states Jean-Marie Unterrassner from the Bike Factory. 
The second crash test highlights the blind spot problem. In a simulated accident at a junction, the electric bike rider 
passes the truck at 25 km/h on the right, entering the truck driver's blind spot. The truck turns right at this moment, 
hitting the cyclist. 'In a scenario like this, the cyclist is unlikely to survive the accident, or only with severe 
injuries,' explains Markus Muser from AGU Zurich. 
'It is vital to make cyclists and pedestrians aware of this problem. The latest technology now includes assistance 
systems that help to make the blind spot more visible, but they are by no means fitted on all trucks. Cyclists and 
pedestrians alike therefore need to assume that the driver cannot see them and must take extra care,' concludes Daniel 
Junker from Baloise. 
If you would like to observe a Baloise crash test in person, please send your contact details to 
[e-mail]. 
Further information 
  . A version of this media information featuring video footage and photos is available at www.baloise.com 
  . The Dynamic Test Center's YouTube channel 
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The Baloise Group is more than just a traditional insurance company. The changing security, safety and service needs of 
society in the digital age lie at the heart of its business activities. The approximately 7,700 employees of Baloise 
therefore focus on the wishes of their customers. The best possible customer service, combined with innovative products 
and services, makes Baloise the first choice for people who want to feel simply safe. Located at the heart of Europe, 
with its head office in Basel, the Baloise Group is a provider of prevention, pension, assistance and insurance 
solutions. Its core markets are Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. In Switzerland, with Baloise Bank SoBa, 
the Group also operates as a specialised financial services provider, offering a combination of insurance and banking 
services. The Group offers innovative pension products to private customers throughout Europe from its competence 
centre in Luxembourg. The shares of Bâloise Holding Ltd are listed in the main segment of SIX Swiss Exchange. 
Contact 
Baloise Group, Aeschengraben 21, 4002 Basel, Switzerland 
Website: www.baloise.com 
Email: [e-mail] / [e-mail] 
Media Relations: Tel: [phone] 
Investor Relations: Tel: [phone] 
Weitere Informationen: 
Auf unserer Website www.baloise.com sind sämtliche Informationen ab sofort abrufbar. 
Darin können Angaben und Prognosen zum Geschäftsgang von Baloise Group enthalten sein. 
Further information: 
All information is now available on our website www.baloise.com. 
It may contain further details and forecasts about the business of Baloise Group. 
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End of Media Release 
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Language:     English 
Company:      Baloise Holding AG 
              Aeschengraben 21 
              4002 Basel 
              Switzerland 
Phone:        [phone] 
Fax:          [phone] 
E-mail:       [e-mail] 
Internet:     https://www.baloise.com 
ISIN:         CH0012410517 
Listed:       BX Berne eXchange; SIX Swiss Exchange 
EQS News ID:  1217026 
 
End of News   EQS Group News Service 
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1217026 2021-07-09

 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 09, 2021 01:01 ET (05:01 GMT)