Bike speed measurements in a recreational population: validity of self reported speed.

Abstract

Objective-Speed at the time of a bicycle crash is an important determinant of the amount of energy transmitted. Controlling for speed is thus important in the evaluation of outcomes and effectiveness of intervention strategies. This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of self reported speed in a population of recreational cyclists. Methods-Children's and adults' bicycle speeds were measured with a radar gun as they rode along a closed road at weekend recreational events. Cyclists were then stopped and asked to estimate their speed. Measured speed, cyclist's estimate oftheir speed, age, and sex were documented. Parents were also asked to estimate their child's speed. Results-One hundred and fifty two cyclists from 4 to 80 years of age participated. Seventy per cent were children 13 years of age or younger. The mean (SD) speed of this group was 8.9 (2.5) mph. Cyclists age 14 and older were traveling at a mean speed of9.7 (2.87) mph. Estimated speeds were significantly higher than measured speeds for this older group, but there was no significant difference between mean measured and estimated speeds for the younger riders. There was also no significant difference between measured and estimated speed for males and females. Parents estimated their child's speed quite accurately. Conclusions-Self reported speeds for children were in close agreement with measured speeds and, thus, are sufficiently accurate to be a useful measure of crash severity in evaluating heimet effectiveness. (Injury Prevention 1997; 3: 43-45)

Epidemiology of bicycle injuries and risk factors for serious injury

“…Self reported estimated speed, particularly when dichotomized between ≤15 mph and >15 mph, appears to be reliable when compared with actual radar measurements in recreational cyclists 18. While we have no direct validation of self reported helmet use, reported helmet use in our community appears to correlate well over the last eight years with actual use as measured by observations 19.…”

Epidemiology of bicycle injuries and risk factors for serious injury.

“…Of the 6088 injuries to extremities, 18.5% had an AIS score of > 2. There were 318 patients (9.4%) admitted to the hospital and 14 deaths total, of which nine occurred in the hospital and five at the scene.…”

National 10-year trend in road injuries involving school children on the way to and from school in Japan, 2003–2012

“…Male cyclists experience higher fatality rates than female cyclists because they use bicycles more often and have a higher case fatality rate 16. Biological differences such as bodyweight and body fat composition as well as behavioural differences such as travelling speed,17 might also explain the higher case fatality rate in male cyclists than female cyclists. In addition, male cyclists aged 12–15 years who were injured on their way from school had a minimal change of –4%.…”