Data indicate cyclists experiencing higher injuries rates, longer hospital stays.
The Los Angeles Times (10/14, Stein) “Booster Shots” blog reported that as bicycles ride a wave of popularity, “cyclists may be suffering more injuries,” according to University of Colorado researchers. After looking at “accident rates and severity from 1996 to 2006,” they noted that “among 329 bicycle accident cases admitted to the Rocky Mountain Regional Trauma Center at Denver Health Medical Center, the length of stay increased substantially over those years.” What’s more, “an increase was seen in chest injuries (up 15 percent), and abdominal injuries tripled over the last five years of the study. About one-third of 118 patients had head injuries.” Comment: Cycling is certainly more dangerous in the US than Europe where most roads have dedicated bicycle lanes, There are very few such lanes on US roads, particularly in housing areas. This absence in planning oversight contributes to obesity by limiting opportunities for exercise, the same neighborhoods usually lack sidewalks for walking safely, as well.
