Study Shows Increase in Cycling Injuries over a 15 year period

The September 1, 2015 issue of JAMA included a letter summarizing the results of a retrospective study that examined the increase in cycling injuries over a 15 year period (attached). The somewhat surprising result is the significant increase in serious cycling injuries in the 45 and over population – which account for the largest increase in incidence (per 100,000 people).

Comparing 1998-1999 to 2012-2013:

• 28% increase in incidence of (age-adjusted - >18 y/o) cycling injuries (96 vs 123 per 100,000 people)
• 60% increase in incidence of head injuries
• 120% increase in hospital admissions (approximately 10% of injuries require hospital admission)
• 77% and 130% increases in incidence of injuries, respectively, in the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups
• 96% and 78% increases in incidence of hospitalizations, respectively, in the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups

View the attached study results here: JAMA-9-1-15-CyclingInjuries.pdf - 2.2mb