The use of bicycles in the netherlands has been increasing over the last few years while total mileage of all modes together has been stable. One of the adverse effects is that the only number of those killed in traffic which increased between 1981 and 1982 referred to cyclists. SWOV therefore was commissioned to investigate cycle ownership and use related to injury and mortality data. Changes in these data may be caused by: (1) shifts in modal split and route choice (2) changes in the infrastructure and its use (3) changes in riding and driving behaviour (4) changes in the construction of the bicycle. By 1990 cycle mileage will be up by some 25% compared with 1982, mostly generated by less vulnerable age categories. Injury figures will increase by 20%. it is doubtful whether changes in infrastructure will be implemented to the extent of injury figures being positively affected.
Abstract