The number of bicycle accidents are on the rise, but there are reasons that you should continue to mount up and ride. You may get in better shape, and you’ll help reduce the number of emissions heading into the air. You reduce the number of people on the roads, helping with congestion as well.
Unfortunately, although bicycles have a great number of benefits, riding them can be dangerous. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association states that injuries among cyclists have increased since 1998, and those 45 years of age or older are getting hurt most.
Looking at around 100 emergency-room cases, injuries from bicycling increased by 28 percent between 1998 and 2013. More often than not, it was arms and legs taking the brunt of accidents, but head injuries also increased. Thanks to a growing number of people 45 and older getting on their bikes to head to work or for exercise, that age group saw the largest increase in injuries. The proportion of people hurt in that age range increased significantly from 23 percent in the 90s to 42 percent in 2013.
Cycling is more popular today than it was then, and with that increase in popularity comes a higher risk of death and injuries. Adults and kids alike ride on the streets, but children are often allowed to ride on sidewalks, keeping them slightly safer. Keep in mind as well that older riders are more likely to get hurt than younger riders because they’re older and less resilient. Comparing similar accidents involving someone who is 60 and someone who is 20 would show the 60-year-old person with more significant injuries in most cases.
No matter how old you are, a bicycling accident is a serious situation. If you’ve been hit, remember that you can file a claim to pursue compensation.
Source: CNN, “Bike injuries are on the rise, but there’s still reason to ride,” Jamie Gumbrecht, accessed Jan. 17, 2018