Injured cyclist profile: an in-depth study of a sample of cyclists injured in road crashes in South Australia

Abstract

Crashes involving pedal cyclists in South Australia have steadily increased over the past ten years. In 2001 pedal cycle crashes constituted around 12% of all traffic crashes resulting in hospital admission, increasing to 17.4% in 2010 (SA Heath and SA Police unpublished data sources). There have been several suggestions why the increase has occurred including a renewed interest in cycling and an increased awareness of the health and environmental benefits. In response to the demonstrated increase in crashes there is a need to identify those contributing factors that may place this vulnerable road user group at increased risk. This project explores the circumstances surrounding crash involvement for a group of 61 bicycle riders involved in a collision with a motorised vehicle who were admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital over the period between January 1 2008 and December 31 2010. Data collected and matched during the study included medical records data generated during hospitalisation, police data related to the crash and Forensic Science data related to mandatory testing for alcohol and drugs. This data was combined with information gathered during voluntary participation in interviews with the cyclists involved following informed consent.