A series of analyses of injury data from hospitalized bicyclists and pedestrians based on Dutch national hospital data is carried out. The main purpose of the study is to establish the need for injury protection of bicyclists and pedestrians, especially those colliding with cars. Contrary to the expectation there appeared to be an enormous number of hospitalized bicyclists not having had collisions with motor-vehicles. This group of patients was analyzed as an additional third group. Conclusions regarding the specific injury patterns of the three groups, including considerable differences concerning specific injuries and concerning the influence of age, are drawn. Recommendations regarding the applicable types of injury preventive measures are given.
Abstract