Bicycle Injuries in Your National Parks CDR Sara Newman LT Jennifer Cheng-Dobson Public Risk Management Program National Park Service USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium 2012 June 20, 2012

Overview Background Bicycle injuries in the National Park Service (NPS) Prevention strategies in parks Case examples

National National Park Service Regions

Injuries in the U.S. Injury is the leading cause of death among persons ages 1-44 (2007) 1 person dies from injury every 3 min > 2.8 million hospitalized each year > $406 billion in medical costs and lost productivity CDC

Bicycle Injuries in the US (2010) 618 fatal –87% male –64% between ages years 51,000 non-fatal –80% male –51% between ages years $4 billion/yr NHTSA

" If a disease were killing our children at the rate unintentional injuries are, the public would be outraged and demand that this killer be stopped." -C. Everett Koop, US Surgeon General

Injuries in our national parks On average 3 visitors die in our parks every week* An average of 14 people are seriously injured in our parks every day Source: GPRA * Due to Unintentional Injuries or Accidents

Distribution of Injuries 100% of fatal injuries reported by 55 parks (2011) 97% of injuries reported by 100 parks (2011) Source: PMDS 2011* Due to Unintentional Injuries

Demographic of Visitor Injuries 76% male, 17% female (7% unk) PRMP Visitor Injury Data System N=117, Unknown = 38

Unintentional Visitor Fatalities, by Cause, FY2011 PRMP Visitor Injury Data System N=155

Bicycle Injuries in NPS Brenna Woziak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2011

NPS Bicycle Fatalities : 12 bike related fatalities 83% male 75% between the ages of % involved collision with a motor vehicle

Studying three national parks George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon Trail (VA/DC/MD) Cape Cod National Seashore (MA) Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park (DC/MD/WV) Others: Saguaro (AZ), Golden Gate (CA), Rock Creek Park (DC/MD)

Bicycle Injury Results Bicycle injuries were the leading cause of injury at each park Fatal bike injuries at one park More females than males at Cape Cod Between 56%-71% between ages 25-64

Prevention Strategies – 3Es Engineering Enforcement Education

National Park Service Mission …to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Title 16 Chapter 1, Section 1 Organic Act of 1916

Park Service Challenges Multiple types of terrains –Trails (paved and not) –Roads –Trails crossing roads –Uneven pavement Cant always meet industry standards Multiple jurisdictions Limited environment control

George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon Trail (DC/MD/VA) Charles Opalak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2010

City of Alexandria Junior Bike Ambassadors George Washington Memorial Parkway, VA/DC/MD Trail ride with a ranger Mutual outreach at Trail Days Charles Opalak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2010

Brochures and maps Bike bell installation Education Trail Days – Mount Vernon Trail George Washington Memorial Parkway, VA/DC/MD Charles Opalak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2010

2010 Trail Pledges & Contact Cards George Washington Memorial Parkway, VA/DC/MD Charles Opalak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2010

Bicycle Safety at the Seashore Cape Cod National Seashore, MA Brenna Woziak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2011

Cape Cod National Seashore, MA Brenna Woziak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2011

Cape Cod National Seashore, MA Brenna Woziak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2011

Bicycle Safety at the Seashore Cape Cod National Seashore, MA Brenna Woziak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2011

Bicycle Safety at the Seashore Cape Cod National Seashore, MA Brenna Woziak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2011

Safety Signs Cape Cod National Seashore, MA Brenna Woziak. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2011

Successful Prevention Strategies

Haleakala National Park, HI Sara Newman, 2007

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH Luke Hamilton. PRMP Visitor Safety Intern, 2009

Safe is Sound Reduced injuries by 83% in target areas Removed poles blocking road Extended rails on trails Enhanced education to cyclists Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 2012

Data Limitations/ Challenges Incomplete injury data No injury rates Lacking detailed and accurate visitation data Lack of dedicated staff in public risk management

Summary Injury prevention in the national parks provides a unique challenge Combining the 3E strategy has worked More effective strategies result from better data

Next Steps Enhance data Focus on program evaluation

Acknowledgements Charles Opalak Brenna Woziak Brian Werner Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH Haleakala National Park, HI

CDR Sara Newman, DrPH, MCP (202) LT Jennifer Cheng-Dobson, MPH (202)