A study of urban bicycling accidents

Abstract

This study was undertaken because of the large num ber of bicycle accident victims treated in our emergency room. Its aim was to assess the type, frequency, and mechanism of occurrence of bicycle accidents as well as characterization of the type of injuries sustained and the expense incurred by such accidents. One hundred seventy-two patients injured over a 10 month period were studied. The upper extremity was found to be particularly at risk of injury. Fractures accounted for 20% of all injuries. The most common accident mechanisms were being struck by a motor vehicle, falling from a bicycle, or being struck by a bicycle. Eleven percent of the patients studied were pedestrians. Increasing pedestrian-cyclist awareness and modification of currently used protective gloves are proposed to prevent injuries associated with urban cycling.

Injuries Resulting from Bicycle Collisions

“…[11][12][13] Other articles have included adults as part of their s t~d i e s ,~~~-~~~~* '~ yet few have focused on adult injuries. 15 The greater proportion of serious bicycle injuries seen in adults may be due in part to the education of children about bike safety and the community-wide emphasis on pediatric bicycle trauma. There have been successful attempts at educating children about the importance of wearing bicycle helmets,13 yet most adults have had little education in bicycle safety, the dangers of drinking and cycling, the risk of serious injury when cycling, and the importance of wearing a helmet.…”

The relation between speed environment, age and injury outcome for bicyclists struck by a motorized vehicle – a comparison with pedestrians

“…While most bicycle accidents do not involve motorized vehicles (Amoros et al, 2012;Davidson, 2005;Scheiman et al, 2010;Tucci and Barone, 1988), collisions with motorized vehicles account for majority of the reported bicyclists' fatalities (Chong et al, 2010;Nicaj et al, 2009;Scheiman et al, 2010;Rosenkranz and Sheridan, 2003;Rowe et al, 1995). For serious injuries, bicycle accidents with motor vehicle involvement account for minority of MAIS3 injuries, and the literature is split for MAIS4+ injuries (Langley et al, 2003;Schepers et al, 2014).…”

Nonparticipant Injuries Associated with Skating Activities

“…Past studies investigating nonparticipant injuries have been limited to bicycle and skateboarding collisions with pedestrians. [1][2][3][4][5] This study, the first to describe the epidemiology of pediatric skating-related injuries experienced by nonparticipants, identifies differences in the patterns of injuries children experience while around ice-skaters, rollerskaters, and in-line skaters. Consistent with the findings from a previous study of pediatric skating-related injuries, 7 nonparticipant skatingrelated injuries vary by mechanism of injury and type of skating activity.…”

“…Research investigating injuries experienced by nonparticipants has been limited to bicycle and skateboard collisions with pedestrians. [1][2][3][4][5] In a recent review of pediatric ice-skating, rollerskating, and in-line skating -related injuries contained in the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC's) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database, a group of children injured in skating-related activities, although they were not skating themselves, was noted. No prior studies have examined skating-related injuries sustained by nonparticipants.…”