Citation

Walz F, Burkart F. Unfall und Sicherheitsforsch Strassenvertehr 1982; 36: 143-147.

Vernacular Title

Fahrradunfälle; Kopfanprallstellen und Implikationen für die Schutzhelmentwicklung

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Studies of bicycle accidents in Zurich since 1980 show that more than half the injuries were to the head. Injuries were classified on the AIS-80 scale and it was found that 78 per cent were caused by collision with a moving object. The exact location and extent of all the head injuries is examined and compared with the distribution of injuries over other regions of the body. There was a noticeable bias to the right side of the face and an absence of injuries in the upper cranial region. Nearly 80 per cent of all head injuries were to the face. Children in the 10 to 14 year age group were particularly at risk and 44 per cent of those involved were below 20 years old. Half the head injuries caused by collisions were with cars. Basic hockey and climbers' helmets, only worn in Switzerland at cycle races, were found to be ineffective. The protection formed by leather rolls and head bands worn at races also failed to provide effective damping of the impact and gave no protection to the face. Recommended criteria for bicycle helmets are proposed which are found to be just as advisable for the cyclist as for motor cycle and moped users. This article was first published in German in: Unfall und Sicherheitsforsch Strassenvertehr, 1982 1, No. 36, 143-7.