BMX bicycle injuries in children

The incidence and severity of injuries occurring on BMX bicycles coming to an Accident and Emergency department (A&E) of a children's hospital have been studied prospectively during a 4-month period in 1984 and compared with the same calendar period 1 year previously, before the increase in BMX sales had occurred. The majority of bicycle accidents in the 1984 period occurred on BMX models. There was a marked increase in the number of injuries seen in 1984 (288) in comparison with 1983 (188), reflecting the increased use of bicycles by children due to the current popularity of BMX models. Although there was an increase in minor injuries in 1984 (182) compared with 1983 (112), the number of severe injuries was less-56 in 1984 (20 per cent) and 68 in 1983 (37 per cent). BMX bicycles, although increasing the number of A&E attendances, have not caused a rise in the number of severe injuries related to bicycles in Edinburgh.