title: [Prevention of bicycle accidents].
abstract: For a very precise analysis of all injured bicyclists in Germany it would be important to have definitions for "severely injured", "seriously injured" and "critically injured". By this, e.g., two-thirds of surgically treated bicyclists who are not registered by the police could become available for a general analysis. Elderly bicyclists (> 60 years) are a minority (10 %) but represent a majority (50 %) of all fatalities. They profit most by wearing a helmet and would be less injured by using special bicycle bags, switching on their hearing aids and following all traffic rules. E-bikes are used more and more (145 % more in 2012 vs. 2011) with 600,000 at the end of 2011 and are increasingly involved in accidents but still have a lack of legislation. So even for pedelecs 45 with 500 W and a possible speed of 45 km/h there is still no legislative demand for the use of a protecting helmet. 96 % of all injured cyclists in Germany had more than 0.5 ‰ alcohol in their blood, 86 % more than 1.1 ‰ and 59 % more than 1.7 ‰. Fatalities are seen in 24.2 % of cases without any collision partner. Therefore the ADFC calls for a limit of 1.1 ‰. Some virtual studies conclude that integrated sensors in bicycle helmets which would interact with sensors in cars could prevent collisions or reduce the severity of injury by stopping the cars automatically. Integrated sensors in cars with opening angles of 180° enable about 93 % of all bicyclists to be detected leading to a high rate of injury avoidance and/or mitigation. Hanging lamps reduce with 35 % significantly bicycle accidents for children, traffic education for children and special trainings for elderly bicyclists are also recommended as prevention tools. As long as helmet use for bicyclists in Germany rates only 9 % on average and legislative orders for using a helmet will not be in force in the near future, coming up campaigns seem to be necessary to be promoted by the Deutscher Verkehrssicherheitsrat as, e.g., "Helmets are cool". Also, spots in TV should be broadcasted like "The 7th sense" or "Traffic compass", which were warning car drivers many years ago of moments of danger but now they could be used to warn bicyclists of life-threatening situations in traffic.
authors: Klinik für Unfall- u. Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Zwipp
authors: Polizeidirektion Dresden.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Barthel
authors: FSD GmbH, Dresden.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Bönninger
authors: Unfallforschung, Daimler AG, Stuttgart.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Bürkle
authors: Psychologie II, Diagnostik und Intervention, TU Dresden.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Hagemeister
authors: VUFO (Verkehrsunfallforschung) an der TU Dresden GmbH.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Hannawald
authors: Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC), Bundesgeschäftsstelle Bremen.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Huhn
authors: Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft e. V., Berlin.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kühn
authors: VUFO (Verkehrsunfallforschung) an der TU Dresden GmbH.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Liers
authors: Institut für Verkehrsplanung und Straßenverkehr, Dresden.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Maier
authors: Verkehrsunfallforschung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH).
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Otte
authors: Fahrzeugtechnik, Technische Universität Dresden.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Prokop
authors: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen, Bergisch Gladbach.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Seeck
authors: Akademie der Unfallchirurgie GmbH, Berlin.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Sturm
authors: Technik Zentrum, ADAC, Landsberg am Lech.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Unger
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000145:classification* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000193:education / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011482:Protective Devices