A 2022 study in Sydney found food delivery cyclists, who work for companies like Uber Eats and Doordash, are more likely to get injured and go to the emergency room than previously reported.
The study, conducted in a Sydney hospital's emergency department from May 2019 to April 2020, identified 43 injuries related to cycling among commercial delivery riders, while official records reported only 37 such injuries across the state.
The research shows injuries to food delivery cyclists are much higher than what's officially reported.
The study found delivery riders are 13 times more likely to visit the emergency room between 8pm and midnight, indicating these injuries happen during busy meal delivery times in the evening.
Most of these riders are male, young, and not native English speakers. Many are temporary migrants, ineligible for government healthcare.