title: Incidence, severity and correlates of bicycling injuries in a sample of cyclists in Queensland, Australia.
abstract: Bicycle injuries, particularly those resulting from single bicycle crashes, are underreported in both police and hospital records. Data on cyclist characteristics and crash circumstances are also often lacking. As a result, the ability to develop comprehensive injury prevention policies is hampered. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, severity, cyclist characteristics, and crash circumstances associated with cycling injuries in a sample of cyclists in Queensland, Australia. A cross-sectional study of Queensland cyclists was conducted in 2009. Respondents (n=2056) completed an online survey about their cycling experiences, including cycling injuries. Logistic regression modelling was used to examine the associations between demographic and cycling behaviour variables with experiencing cycling injuries in the past year, and, separately, with serious cycling injuries requiring a trip to a hospital. Twenty-seven percent of respondents (n=545) reported injuries, and 6% (n=114) reported serious injuries. In multivariable modelling, reporting an injury was more likely for respondents who had cycled <5 years, compared to ≥ 10 years (p<0.005); cycled for competition (p=0.01); or experienced harassment from motor vehicle occupants (p<0.001). There were no gender differences in injury incidence, and respondents who cycled for transport did not have an increased risk of injury. Reporting a serious injury was more likely for those whose injury involved other road users (p<0.03). Along with environmental and behavioural approaches for reducing collisions and near-collisions with motor vehicles, interventions that improve the design and maintenance of cycling infrastructure, increase cyclists' skills, and encourage safe cycling behaviours and bicycle maintenance will also be important for reducing the overall incidence of cycling injuries.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia. Electronic address: k.heesch@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kristiann C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Heesch
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia. Electronic address: jan.garrard@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garrard
authors.affiliation: UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) and Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, Box 296, Institute of Public Health, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 OSR, United Kingdom. Electronic address: slf45@medschl.cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahlqvist
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult