The electric bike that Simon Cowell crashed over the weekend, which resulted in him breaking his back, was outlawed on the open road in the United Kingdom because of its capability to reach high speeds.
The bike, a Swind EB-01, is advertised as "the world's most powerful and most advanced electric bicycle in the market." Page Six notes that that particular e-bike exceeds the legal speed limit in the U.K. and has more than 250 watts of power. It is only legal to be used in private, closed areas, for sporting activities and on designated routes.
The "America's Got Talent" judge was at his home in California at the time of the accident.
Due to its potential to reach high speeds, riders are urged to take precautions and wear protective clothing when riding the $20,000 bike.
According to witnesses of Simon's accident, speed was a factor, as he was allegedly thrown in the air after the bike did a "giant wheelie."
"He did a turn in his courtyard, changed gear, and then the bike went into a wheelie and threw him off the back," a source told Page Six. "Simon was in complete agony and was stretchered out of his home and taken in an ambulance to hospital."
"Friends at the scene quickly checked that he could move fingers and toes… When he fell off the bike, he landed right on his back, which broke in a number of places," the source continued. "He had to have a metal rod inserted into his back."
Doctors said he narrowly missed severing his spinal cord, Page Six reported.
On Sunday, Simon addressed the crash on Twitter.
"Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time," he wrote. "I have broken part of my back. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages."
In a follow-up message, he wrote, "And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone. Simon."