Bicycle-related injuries decreased in last decade despite increased public utilization
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Despite a 62% increase in public bicycle utilization from 2000 to 2014, according to the 2014 American Community Survey, recently published results showed a “significant downtrend” in bicycle-related injuries from 2012 to 2021.
In their study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research, Charles A. Johnson, MD, and colleagues from the Medical University of South Carolina used the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to analyze patterns of presentation, patient demographics and injury characteristics of 4,666,491 bicycle-related injuries in the United States from 2012 to 2021.
Johnson and colleagues found the incidence of bicycle-related injuries peaked in 2012, with 556,660 estimated injuries. Bicycle-related injuries then showed a “significant downtrend” in incidences over time, with the lowest incidence recorded during the last year of the study period (2021; 375,968 estimated injuries). They also found a 32.5% decrease in patients with bicycle-related injuries presenting to the ER from 2012 to 2021.
Researchers noted the rate of injury in the oldest of patients increased from 2012 to 2021. They also noted bicycle-related injuries were more common during the summer months, on weekend days and in younger male patients. According to the study, the most commonly injured body part was the head (28%), followed by the trunk (13.4%), shoulder (8.2%), knee (7.6%), hand (6.7%) and wrist (6.2%). Fractures were the most common type of injury, researchers added.
“Explanations for this trend extend beyond the scope of the current study but may include improved cycling safety initiatives metropolitan areas and increased use of home exercise bikes (eg, Peloton) in recent years which reduce bicycle accidents,” the researchers wrote in the study. “Clinicians and public health officials should work to increase awareness of these types of injuries and to educate cyclists and parents of bicycle-riding children regarding proper safety precautions,” they added.
Reference:
McLeod K. Where we ride: Analysis of bicycle commuting in American cities. Trid.trb.org. 2022. Accessed Jan. 5, 2023. https://trid.trb.org/view/1371985
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