Cycling fatalities in Western Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To present a review of the circumstances of 64 cycling fatalities in Western Australia (WA) during the nine-year period 1984-1992, and the major injuries sustained by the cyclists.


METHODS
The number of deaths was ascertained from lists maintained by the WA Police Department, Forensic Pathology Division of the Health Department and the Coroner's office. Individual case files held by the Coroner's office and Forensic Pathology Division were then examined for details of the circumstances of each incident, epidemiological data, and medical and toxicological findings.


RESULTS
Most of the 64 fatalities (59%) occurred in children or young adults less than 20 years of age. Most fatal injuries (54%) were to the head alone. Forty-seven of the deaths involved collision with a motor car. Alcohol was demonstrated in the blood of five of the 30 cases in which analysis of blood alcohol level was performed. On average, 7.8 cyclists died annually in WA before the introduction of legislation for the compulsory wearing of safety helmets while cycling. In the 12-month period following this legislation, there was only one cycling death.


CONCLUSIONS
Most cycling deaths occur in children, primarily from head injury resulting from impact with a motor car. The enactment of legislation for the compulsory wearing of cycling helmets has been associated with a fall in cyclist fatalities.
Cooke
C T
CT
Department of Forensic Pathology, State Health Laboratory Services, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, WA.
Margolius
K A
KA
Cadden
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GA
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001642:Bicycling; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014904:Western Australia
D000431:Ethanol