How COVID-19 helped drive the growing number of e-bike and scooter injuries in Melbourne

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly been a driving factor in the growing number of injuries on the roads relating to electronic bikes and scooters, according to the trauma services director at The Alfred hospital.

Professor Mark Fitzgerald told 3AW he personally wouldn’t ride one.

He said the hospital was seeing more and more people present in emergency after coming off their e-bike or e-scooter, or being involved in a collision.

Professor Fitzgerald said it wasn’t surprising.

“This was all set in motion more than a year ago,” he told 3AW Mornings.

“People didn’t want to take public transport… it was difficult to get vehicles.

“People then decided that with the money they’d spend on public transport they’d get a push bike, or e-bike, or e-scooter.

“A year ago, I could run down Victoria Street in Richmond on the road and not see a car, but now it’s completely different.

“The circumstances under which people bought these vehicles has changed and they’re now all in the one place, at the one time.”

Press PLAY below to hear Professor Fitzgerald voice his concerns

Picture: Getty iStock