This study investigates what proportion of cycling accidents in the Netherlands can be attributed to a technical defect of the bicycle. The study also examines which bicycle parts contribute to this aspect. The study is based on a representative survey amongst the shopping public in late summer, of the year 1994. In total, over 7,000 cyclists were questioned. More than half of the respondents cycled 10 to 50 km per week. Only 5% cycled more than 100 km per week. Twenty-eight per cent of the respondents had experienced a cycle accident at some time. The cyclists claimed that 10% of these accidents could be blamed on a mechanical defect of the bicycle. Most bicycles with a defect represented the so-called 'standard' cycles (71%). Poor maintenance had contributed to the presence of a mechanical defect, according to 45% of the cyclists. Half of the respondents were injured as the result of an accident which was attributable to a mechanical defect. The respondents referred to the brakes as cause of the accident in 29% of cases. Defects to the front fork, the handlebars and frame were each represented with a share of about 10%. In general, an accident cannot be attributed to a single cause.
Samenvatting