Study says bicycles leading cause of brain injuries
Summer has arrived in Pennsylvania, encouraging more and more people to use their bicycles for commuting or leisure activities. Despite the occasional fall or skinned knee, most people believe that bicycling is a relatively safe form of transportation. However, recent statistics indicate that bicycling-not football or other contact sports-causes the most sports-related traumatic brain injuries.
According to information released by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, in 2009, bicycle accidents played a role in approximately 86,000 of the 447,000 brain injuries that were sports-related. As a comparison, baseball accounted for less than half of that-about 38,394 brain injuries. Football, long demonized as a significant cause of head injuries, was responsible for only 47,000 brain injuries.
The data also showed that bicycling posed a danger to children under 14, as bicycling was responsible for 40,272 brain injuries. This figure was almost double football’s share, which only caused 21,878 injuries.
Experts say that the reason for the trend is because bicycles are used among people of all age groups. Since bicycles are often at a heightened risk of crashing into motor vehicles and other objects, a large portion of the population is exposed to this risk.
Another reason is that cyclists, for whatever reason, are reluctant to take precautions, such as wearing a helmet. Unfortunately, the danger inherent to bicycling is not forgiving for those who opt to ride without a helmet. In 2009, about 90 percent of bicyclists who were killed in the United States were not wearing a helmet.
According to medical experts, human skulls can be fractured at relatively low speeds. Bicycle helmets protect the head by absorbing the force caused by the collision or fall. Assuming that the helmet fits the wearer properly, it can reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by up to 88 percent.
How to stay safe on the road
Regardless of who broke the rules of the road, when a cyclist and a motorist meet, the cyclist is at an overwhelming disadvantage. It is therefore wise that cyclists keep themselves safe by keeping the following safety tips in mind:
- Signal all turns and stops.
- Obey all stop signs and traffic signals, ensuring that the intersection is clear before proceeding.
- If available, use designated bicycle lanes.
- Wear reflective clothing and use bicycle lights at night.
Despite taking proper precautions, you may find yourself in an accident. If you or a loved one has been injured, you may have a right to compensation for your medical bills and other expenses following your injury. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to learn about your options.