title: Bicycle-related injuries.
abstract: Bicycle riding is a popular form of recreation among persons of all ages, and related injuries cause significant morbidity and mortality. Most injuries occur in males and are associated with riding at high speed; most serious injuries and fatalities result from collisions with motor vehicles. Although superficial soft tissue injuries and musculoskeletal trauma are the most common injuries, head injuries are responsible for most fatalities and long-term disabilities. Overuse injuries may contribute to a variety of musculoskeletal complaints, compression neuropathies, perineal and genital complaints. Physicians treating such patients should consider medical factors, as well as suggest adjusting various components of the bicycle, such as the seat height and handlebars. Encouraging bicycle riders to wear helmets is key to preventing injuries; protective clothing and equipment, and general safety advice also may offer some protection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195-4696, USA. mjt@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Rivara
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006804:Ergonomics; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy