This study investigates the aetiology of injuries due to bicycle accidents in 5-15 year old children (N=2207) who attended the emergency room at the University Hospital Groningen during the period 1970 through 1994. The prevalence of bicycle accidents in young children 5 through 9 years old, doubled in the period 1970-1973 from 3.24 to 6.93 in the period 1984-1994, whereas for the age group 10-15 years old the prevalence number increased about 50%, 5.04 to 7.51 in the same period. The majority of the causes were the so called one-side bicycle accidents, an accident in which no other traffic was involved. The next major agent to cause the accident was collision with a car (22%). The highest risk group was located in 12-15 The highest risk group was located in 12-15 year olds. 85% were outpatients, the remaining 15% had to stay in the hospital for clinical treatment.
Abstract