[The fall of Icarus or the seriously injured young motorcyclist (author's transl)]

During 1979 70 motorcyclists were treated in the Department of Traumatology of the "Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik" Frankfurt/Main. The psychological reasons of the motorcycle-boom and the consequences are compared. The psychic status of these young motorcyclists was different from that of other patients. An analysis of the data showed that in 24.3% the accident occurred on the way to work or to school; 75.7% of the accidents happened during a pleasure-trip. 58.6% of the motorcyclists suffered injuries with permanent sequels. The different types of permanent damage are described. Based on two case reports the arising costs are analysed.