The number of being willing to bike to work or around town is increasing. Cyclists are an active and dedicated group, willing to share the roads with larger vehicles. Some bike to stay healthy, others bike to protect the environment. Whatever the reason, when a car and a cyclist crash, the result can be fatal. A new study looks into crash statistics.
Bike versus car
Researchers at Queen Mary looked at the number of cyclcing injuries in the London Hospital.
The study, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, was carried out over six years and involved all patients with serious cycling injuries brought in to the Royal London Hospital by ambulance or helicopter – a total of 265. It examined the patient’s vital signs, the types of injuries, and the outcome, according to the vehicle involved.
The study shows an increase in the number of injured cyclists over time. Overall, cyclist casualties made up four per cent of patients requiring the hospital’s full trauma team, three per cent of London’s Air Ambulance deployments and five per cent of deaths.
The severity of injuries depended on what kind of vehicle was involved. Patients hit by an HGV, or a heavy goods vehicle, were 21 percent more likely to die than those hit by a car.
“This research paints a grisly picture of the injuries sustained by cyclists who are unlucky enough to be involved in a collision. But it’s a first step in providing evidence about the devastating impact of those most serious cycling injuries,” the study’s author is Dr Joannna Manson said.
New plan needed
While there are safety concerns for cyclists, there are environmental and health benefits. Mason says a safety plan needs to be created.
“Overall, increasing cycling in our cities is beneficial both to the individual and to the city but the risk of injury remains a major deterrent. Exactly how to improve the safety for people cycling in urban environments is unclear and we need more evidence to guide policy making in this area,” Mason said.
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