BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The weather is getting warmer. An e-bike or electric scooter ride might sound appealing, but doctors warn without a helmet – it could be deadly. The bird e-bike share is back in Burlington, and their electric scooter counterparts are all the rave throughout the country.
But, 2024 research shows bike injuries have skyrocketed in the us over the past five years, increasing ER visits between 2017 to 2022 which translates to more than 45,000 visits to emergency rooms during the five year period. University of Vermont Dr. Kalev Freeman is urging riders to wear helmets.
“The motors on e-bikes and scooters can easily get people moving 20 miles per hour, which is plenty of speed to have a significant concussion. If there’s no helmet involved, it can actually be a lethal head injury.
The Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association (CATMA) manages the bird bike share. They request riders wear a helmet. If riders need help getting a helmet they can email CATMA at info@catmavt.org.