Citation

Hansen KS, Eide GE, Omenaas E, Engeaeter LB, Viste A. Accid. Anal. Prev. 2005; 37(1): 71-75.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.aap.2004.03.004

PMID

15607277

Abstract

This study focuses on bicycle-related injuries among young children and the effect of being an inexperienced beginner related to age at debut of cycling. The study was based on a random stratified population sample of 1200 children aged 4-15 years in Bergen, Norway. Data about age at debut of cycling, cycling habits and any previous bicycle-related injuries were collected. A child was defined as a beginner within the first 12 months of active cycling. Relation between the first bicycle-related injury and age at debut was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. The risk of getting injured during the first 12 months of active cycling were significant lower for children aged 7 or 8 years at the debut of cycling compared to younger children (hazard ratio = 0.78, P < 0.001). Children cycling more than 1h per week were at greater risk of getting injured during the first 12 months than those who cycled less (hazard ratio = 1.95, P = 0.014). This study shows that the risk of getting injured during the first 12 months of active cycling is reduced if bicycling debut is delayed until 7 or 8 years instead of at 4 or 5 years.