Bike Forum Non-collision cycling injuries Rob Benington, NHS Bristol Injury Prevention Manager November 2010

Non-collision cycling incidents... A road safety issue. 10,821 admissions to a hospital bed in 2009/10 10,821 admissions to a hospital bed in 2009/10 16,289 (all car occupants) 16,289 (all car occupants) 8,874 (all motorcycle riders and passengers) 8,874 (all motorcycle riders and 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; Source

What causes them? Very little data from STATS19, TRL or DoT Very little data from STATS19, TRL or DoT One useful study of cyclists in Oxford and Cambridge in 2005 One useful study of cyclists in Oxford and Cambridge in 2005 Loads of anecdotes!! Loads of anecdotes!!

828 reported incidents % % % % % % % % % % % % % % AGE GENDER Female 30% Male 64% Blank/other 6% ETHNICITY White British 85% Blank 10% Other 3.8%

Interim 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 (67.1%) 555 no injury requiring professional help (67.1%) Police aware of 4% Police aware of 4%

Interim results - causes RankCause % of all reported incidents 1 Slipped on ice Slipped on wet road8.33 3Slipped on soil, gravel, mud, wet rock, etc6.64 4Slipped on oil3.62 5Wheel stuck or slipped in rail / tram line3.14 6Potholes3.14 7Part of the bike broke2.54 8Mounting kerb or dropped kerb at too shallow an angle Other got stuck / fell wheel / chain / gears2.17

Circumstances 51% of all NCIs occur on the commute to work 51% of all NCIs occur on the commute to work Ice causes 35% of all incidents on the commute to work Ice causes 35% of all incidents on the commute to work 75% of ice related incidents occur on the main highway 75% of ice related incidents occur on the 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 In age group, most NCIs occur during the commute to work. Slipping on ice, while cycling on the road or main highway, is the No.1 injury- danger. 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 injuries Reduce serious injuries But its just a start. 74% of NCIs are not ‘slipping on ice’.

Research and reports posted at (Or Google - Avonsafe home)

Risk management strategy 1. Removal (no practical option) 2. Avoidance (Alternative means of transport, question need to travel) 3. Mitigation (Gritting) 4. Adaptation (Change the bike, protective clothing, timing of journey, ED services) 5. Acceptance =Informed consent (Awareness) (Awareness)

2. Avoidance

3. Mitigation

4. Adaptation

5. Acceptance – Informed consent (Thanks to the Highways Agency who designed the poster)