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Crash characteristics of on-road single-bicycle crashes: an under-recognised problem
  1. Ben Beck1,
  2. Mark R Stevenson2,
  3. Peter Cameron1,3,4,
  4. Jennie Oxley5,
  5. Stuart Newstead5,
  6. Jake Olivier6,7,
  7. Soufiane Boufous7,
  8. Belinda J Gabbe1,8
  1. 1 Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. 2 Melbourne School of Design/Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. 3 Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. 4 National Trauma Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. 5 Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. 6 School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
  7. 7 School of Aviation, Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  8. 8 Health Data Research UK, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Ben Beck, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; ben.beck{at}monash.edu

Abstract

Compared with crashes with motor vehicles, single-bicycle crashes are an under-recognised contributor to cycling injury and the aetiology is poorly understood. Using an in-depth crash investigation technique, this study describes the crash characteristics and patient outcomes of a sample of cyclists admitted to hospital following on-road bicycle crashes. Enrolled cyclists completed a structured interview, and injury details and patient outcomes were extracted from trauma registries. Single-bicycle crashes (n=62) accounted for 48% of on-road crashes and commonly involved experienced cyclists. Common single-bicycle crash types included loss-of-control events, interactions with tram tracks, striking potholes or objects or resulting from mechanical issues with the bicycle. To address single-bicycle crashes, targeted countermeasures are required for each of these specific crash types.

  • bicycle
  • epidemiology
  • functional outcome

https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2018-043014

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors BB performed the analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback on the analysis, interpretation and writing.

    • Funding This study was specifically supported by a Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Strategic Grant. The Safer Cycling in the Urban Environment Study is supported by an Australian Research Council Grant (Number: LP130100380). The Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry (VOTOR) is funded by the Transport Accident Commission. BB was supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellowship (DE180100825). MRS is supported by a Research Fellowship (#1043091) and PC was supported by a Practitioner Fellowship (#545926) from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). BJG is supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT170100048).

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Ethics approval Ethics approval for the study was obtained from the Alfred Health, Melbourne Health and Monash University Human Research Ethics Committees.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Data sharing statement Due to ethical restrictions, we cannot share any data.