In-depth understanding of single bicycle crashes in Sweden - Crash characteristics, injury types and health outcomes differentiated by gender and age-groups

Algurén, Beatrix; Rizzi, Maria · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2021.101320

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Summary

This study investigates the characteristics, injury types, and health outcomes of single bicycle crashes in Sweden, with a specific focus on differences by gender and age. The research was motivated by the increasing prevalence of cycling in Sweden and the significant proportion of hospital admissions attributed to single-vehicle crashes, which are often under-reported by police and lack detailed etiological data in standard traffic databases. Understanding these crashes is crucial for developing effective injury prevention strategies. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study combining data from the Swedish national traffic accident database (STRADA) with self-reported information from a postal questionnaire. The final sample included 616 cyclists injured in single crashes between 2013 and 2017 who had sustained specific high-risk injuries, such as fractures to the hip, leg, or shoulder, or traumatic brain injuries. Participants had a mean age of 58 years, with 49% being women. Data were analyzed using univariate statistics and Pearson Chi-Square tests to identify differences across gender and three age groups: ≤50 years, 51–64 years, and ≥65 years. The results revealed distinct patterns in crash causes and injury locations. Skidding on ice or snow was the most common crash type overall (26%), but it was significantly more frequent among women (30%) than men (21%). Women were also more than twice as likely to lose balance at low or no speed (13% vs. 5%). In contrast, men were more likely to crash due to uneven road surfaces or skidding on wet leaves. Injury types varied significantly by gender: men suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries more than twice as often as women (28% vs. 11%), while women suffered lower leg and ankle injuries more than four times as often (30% vs. 7%). Age also strongly influenced outcomes; hip and upper leg injuries increased exponentially with age, affecting 9% of cyclists ≤50 years and 38% of those ≥65 years. Older cyclists were significantly more likely to crash while losing balance at low speed or while mounting/dismounting the bicycle. Health outcomes were substantial, with 46% of participants experiencing sickness absence and 69% requiring rehabilitation. The study concludes that single bicycle crashes have significant societal costs and that prevention strategies must be targeted. Infrastructure improvements, such as removing ice, snow, and wet leaves, and redesigning curbstones, could prevent many injuries. Additionally, bicycle design improvements, such as more stable frames or step-through designs, could benefit women and older cyclists who are prone to low-speed balance losses. The findings highlight the need for differentiated countermeasures addressing the specific risks faced by men, women, and elderly cyclists.

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Topics

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• cyclist safety
• vru crash typology
• motorcycle crash typology
• incidence prevalence
• demographic disparities
• sex gender

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes