title: [Association of age and sex with intensity of exposure to bicycle use in Spain, 1993-2009].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To estimate the association of age and sex with the intensity of exposure of cyclists in Spain, between 1993 and 2009, in a global way and for subtypes of use.
  
  
  METHODS
  From the distribution of cyclists passively involved in collisions with other vehicles included in the register of the Spanish General Traffic Directorate between 1993 and 2009, we have estimated the increase in intensity of exposure by age groups and sex, for global exposure and for subtypes of exposure (e.g. riding with or without a helmet, or riding on an open road or in urban areas), using males aged 45-49 as a reference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Males have a greater exposure than females and this difference increases with age, although it has tended to decrease in recent years. In both sexes the exposure is greater in young people and goes down with age, while in males the excess in young people has disappeared in recent years. Regarding subtypes of use, female underexposure riding on an open road should be highlighted, as well as overexposure in both women and extreme age groups among non-helmet users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a close association of age and sex with the intensity of bicycle use, which changes depending on the type of use and the time period considered. Consequently, estimations of the effect of factors affecting the accident rate and the morbidity and mortality of cyclists in Spain have to be adjusted by the age and sex of the cyclist.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, 18012. Spain. virmruiz@ugr.es.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martínez Ruiz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jiménez Mejías
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amezcua Prieto
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Luna del Castillo
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jiménez Moleón
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lardelli Claret
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001642:Bicycling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult