Cycling injuries among junior high school children in Taiwan

We surveyed the injuries sustained by 197 junior high school students (aged 12 to 15 years) while riding a bicycle within the previous 12 months, together with the same number of controls matched according to age and sex. The case sites and control sites, selected from routes control subjects would have taken if pursuing the same purpose as the case subject at the time of the accident, were also investigated. Male students and older students were found to be at higher risk. One-third of the injuries occurred while the students were traveling to school. Nearly 40% of the accidents happened between 15:00 and 19:00, and 52% occurred during the summer months. More than half of the accidents took place near street corners. Injuries were mainly (89%) to one of the limbs. Injuries were more severe among those with head injuries. None of the injured children wore a helmet while cycling. Most injuries (83%) were due to collisions with another vehicle. Motorcycles were involved in the collisions most often. When compared with the total number of registered vehicles, the proportion of trucks, light commercial vans, and taxis involved in the crashes was significantly higher. Drivers of the vehicles involved were primarily males, evenly distributed across all age groups. The volume of traffic was marginally heavier at case sites, but estimated average speeds of vehicles were similar between case and control sites. More obstacles, such as illegally parked vehicles and vendors' stalls, were found at case sites. In addition to wearing a helmet, other prevention strategies should be considered.