Where is the research into cycling injuries?

Chris Oliver@CyclingSurgeon

Consultant Trauma Orthopaedic SurgeonRoyal Infirmary of Edinburgh

@ctc_cyclists

@PlayonPedals

@ExerciseWorks

@UoE_PAHRC

@RCSEd

British Medical Association Healthy Transport = Healthy Lives(BMA 2012)

“In spite of the harms cyclists face in terms of safety and exposure to air pollution, a number of studies have found that the health benefits of cycling, such as improved quality of life, weight control, and protecting against major chronic diseases, greatly outweigh these risks, by up to a factor of 20 to 1.

109 pedal cyclist fatalities in 201314 occurred in London

Relative risk of different forms of transport GB 2013

Casualty rate per billion vehicle miles - KSI

Killed Seriously injured

Car driver 2 24

Pedestrian 34 463

Pedal cyclist 34 1,036

Motorcycle rider 119 1,853

20 mphEducationDriver TrainingBikeabilityHighway codeInfrastructureHGVs-volumetric mixers

£374m in 2011-15, or£622m with match funding

£5 per head in England£10 per head in London

Political Will

Total Public Spending in the United KingdomCentral Government and Local Authority 2015

Public Pensions £150 billion

National Health Care £133 billion

State Education £90 billion

Defence £46 billion

Social Security £110 billion

State Protection £30 billion

Transport £20 billion Cycling 3%

General Government £14 billion

Other Public Services £86 billion

Public Sector Interest £52 billion

Total Spending = £731 billion

Annual public investment in cycling in ScotlandYear Cycling investment per head of population

2013/14 £5.932014/15 £7.722015/16 £6.72

£26 / head Amsterdam – 35% £8-£9 / head Copenhagen – 20%£4 / head Berlin – 20%

Cycling Action Plan Scotland 10% by 2020 “Target v Vision”

Junctions2/3 of cyclists KSI at or near junctions

Bicycle v another vehicle, the driver’s having “failed to look properly‟ key contributory factor for drivers and riders at junctions (60%) DoT 2009

Rural roads challenging50% fatalitiesWorse if 40+ years Casualty severity increases with the posted speed limitReduce traffic speeds rural areas DoT 2009

NightimeMore likely fatalityRural roads worse: speed limits higher/ unlit Rear DoT 2009

18% of fatal cycle accidents involved HGV, compared with 4% of serious accidents DoT 2009

Transport Scotland’s Reported Road Casualties 2012 (Transport Scotland 2013)

Most accidents resulting in an injured pedal cyclist involve a car 96% involve a car, taxi/van & only 2% involve LGVs/HGVs

Most pedal cycle casualties occur during summer months, in good weather and in daylight 52% May-Sept, 80% good weather/daylight

Pedal cycle casualties peak in the evening and morning periods 30% 4-7 pm 16% 7-9am

Pedal cycle casualties are aged between 30-49 45%

The majority of pedal cycle casualties in 2012 male 82%

Edinburgh Orthopaedic Trauma Unit % n/105/yr Average

age (yrs)M/F (%)

Open fractures

Multiple fractures

(%)Cyclist 46.7 32.5 40.2 81/19 6.0 8.6Motorcyclist 21.7 15.1 41.0 90/10 10.3 21.3Pedestrian 17.5 12.2 48.8 62/38 3.2 24.4Vehicle driver 10.2 7.1 47.2 76/24 8.1 34.8Vehicle passenger

2.2 1.5 29.6 50/50 0 16.7

Edinburgh Orthopaedic Trauma Unit

Cyclists # incidence 32.5/105/year Males # incidence 55.7/105/yearFemales # incidence 11.7/105/year # mostly upper limb fractures

clavicle 20.8%proximal radius 16.7%distal radius & ulna 12.5%

90% open # occur in the upper limb

@RoadShare

protecting vulnerable road users

Where is the Research?