A study is presented, which aims to describe the occurrence, causes, and consequences of bicycle-related injuries among children aged 10-15 during travel to or from school. Two incidences of cycling injuries were calculated for two groups: (1) children cycling to or from school; and (2) children cycling for other purposes. The study population consisted of all children aged 10-15, who lived in Stavanger, Norway during 1990-93. 352 children (1.26% of those cycling) received medical attention for bicycle-related injuries; 108 (about 30%) of them were injured while cycling to or from school. There were significantly more bicycle-related injuries for boys than for girls. 77% of the injuries occurred in a non-collision accident, 9% in a collision with another bicycle, and 14% in a collision with a motor vehicle. 20% of the injured children had upper head injuries, and 13% required hospital inpatient treatment. The average maximum abbreviated injury severity (MAIS) scores were similar for injuries in both groups of child cyclists. The authors propose that parents, school officials, public health officials, and medical professionals should pay increased attention to the significant health risk to children cycling to or from school.
Samenvatting