Bike ForumBike Forum

Non-collision cycling Non-collision cycling injuriesinjuries

Rob Benington, NHS BristolRob Benington, NHS BristolInjury Prevention ManagerInjury Prevention Manager

November 2010

Non-collision cycling Non-collision cycling incidents... incidents...

A road safety issue.A road safety issue. 10,821 10,821 admissionsadmissions to a hospital bed in to a hospital bed in

2009/10 2009/10

16,289 (all car occupants)16,289 (all car occupants) 8,874 (all motorcycle riders and 8,874 (all motorcycle riders and

passengers) passengers) 8,684 (all pedestrians, not including falls)8,684 (all pedestrians, not including falls) 3,329 (all cyclists involved in collisions)3,329 (all cyclists involved in collisions)

(Admissions to hospital beds in England; (Admissions to hospital beds in England;

Source Source www.hesonline.nhs.ukwww.hesonline.nhs.uk ))

What causes them?What causes them? Very little data from STATS19, TRL or DoTVery little data from STATS19, TRL or DoT

One useful study of cyclists in Oxford and One useful study of cyclists in Oxford and

Cambridge in 2005Cambridge in 2005

Loads of anecdotes!!Loads of anecdotes!!

www.betterbybike.info/non-collision-www.betterbybike.info/non-collision-incidentsincidents

828 reported incidents828 reported incidents

0-19 0-19 3.5%3.5% 20-29 20-29 17.7%17.7% 30-39 30-39 25.3%25.3% 40-49 40-49 27.1%27.1% 50-59 50-59 19.2%19.2% 60-64 60-64 3.6%3.6% 65+ 65+ 3.3%3.3%

AGE GENDER

Female 30%

Male 64%

Blank/other 6%

ETHNICITY

White British 85%

Blank 10%

Other 3.8%

Interim results - injuriesInterim results - injuries

52 KSI (6.2%)52 KSI (6.2%)

220 ED or MIU (26.5%)220 ED or MIU (26.5%)

555 no injury requiring professional help 555 no injury requiring professional help (67.1%)(67.1%)

Police aware of 4%Police aware of 4%

Interim results - causesInterim results - causesRank Cause

% of all reported incidents

1 Slipped on ice 25.85

2 Slipped on wet road 8.33

3 Slipped on soil, gravel, mud, wet rock, etc 6.64

4 Slipped on oil 3.62

5 Wheel stuck or slipped in rail / tram line 3.14

6 Potholes 3.14

7 Part of the bike broke 2.54

8 Mounting kerb or dropped kerb at too shallow an angle

2.54

9 Other got stuck / fell wheel / chain / gears 2.17

CircumstancesCircumstances

51% of all NCIs occur on the 51% of all NCIs occur on the commute to workcommute to work

Ice causes 35% of all incidents on the Ice causes 35% of all incidents on the commute to work commute to work

75% of ice related incidents occur on 75% of ice related incidents occur on the main highwaythe main highway

“Unlike the police records, these data show that skidding and slipping accidents are by far the most common type of incident and so this seems to be the area where action might do the most to reduce the number of cyclists experiencing accidents. Even though these are not usually particularly dangerous incidents, reducing their frequency should help encourage people to begin and/or continue travelling by bicycle. Incidentally, we should note that efforts to reduce the incidence of skidding and slipping accidents for bicycles should also have the happy effect of reducing such accidents for other single-track vehicles like motorcycles”.

Oxfordshire County Council, 2005

Conclusions Conclusions

In 18-60 age group, most NCIs occur during In 18-60 age group, most NCIs occur during the commute to work. Slipping on ice, while the commute to work. Slipping on ice, while cycling on the road or main highway, is the cycling on the road or main highway, is the No.1 injury-danger. No.1 injury-danger.

Highlighting the ice hazard will:Highlighting the ice hazard will: Reassure cyclists (there is no ice most of the time)Reassure cyclists (there is no ice most of the time) Reduce serious injuriesReduce serious injuries

But its just a start. 74% of NCIs are not ‘slipping on But its just a start. 74% of NCIs are not ‘slipping on ice’.ice’.

Research and reports Research and reports posted atposted at

www.avon.nhs.uk/phnet/Avonsafe/www.avon.nhs.uk/phnet/Avonsafe/home.htmhome.htm

(Or Google - Avonsafe home)(Or Google - Avonsafe home)

Risk management strategy Risk management strategy

1. Removal (1. Removal (no practical optionno practical option))2. Avoidance (Alternative means of 2. Avoidance (Alternative means of

transport, question need to travel)transport, question need to travel)3. Mitigation (Gritting)3. Mitigation (Gritting)4. Adaptation (Change the bike, 4. Adaptation (Change the bike,

protective clothing, timing of journey, protective clothing, timing of journey, ED services) ED services)

5. Acceptance =Informed consent 5. Acceptance =Informed consent (Awareness)(Awareness)

2. Avoidance2. Avoidance

3. Mitigation3. Mitigation

4. Adaptation

www.icebikes.orgwww.icebikes.org

5. Acceptance 5. Acceptance – Informed – Informed

consentconsent

(Thanks to the Highways Agency who designed the poster)