Head Injuries are the Leading Cause of Death in Bicycle Crashes

Contact: Todd Harper 
Phone: (317) 630-7808 
Pager: (317) 310-5972

Indianapolis, August 19, 2009 -- With head injuries accounting for over 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, doctors with the IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center are encouraging bicyclists to always remember to wear their helmets and follow simple advice when out on the roads and trails this summer.
Statistics from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute show that approximately 800 bicyclists die on American roads every year.  In a typical year over 90 percent of cyclists who are killed are involved in crashes with motor vehicles.  In addition, non-helmet riders are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
"The reality is with just some simple steps many of these injuries can be prevented," said Dr. Thomas Hayward, attending surgeon, IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center and assistant professor of surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine.  "We see people of all ages injured in bicycle accidents and in most cases the injuries are a result of not following precautions or recommended guidelines."
Dr. Hayward said bicycle injuries account for the largest number of sports-related injuries treated by emergency departments.
Statistics have shown that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury in crashes by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent.  Bicycle helmets have also been shown to offer substantial protection to the forehead and mid-face.  There are other safety precautions people can take to reduce the chances of injury while bicycling.  These tips include:

• Always wear a helmet
• Obey all traffic controls
• Use reflectors and dress in light colored clothing
• Make sure your bike is tuned up
• Never carry another person on your bicycle
• Always use hand signals when turning or stopping
• Look out for cars at cross streets, driveways and parking places
• Be careful when checking traffic and do not swerve when looking over your shoulder

The IU/Wishard Trauma Center treats more than 2,500 injured patients each year and became the first verified Level I trauma center in the state in 1992.  It remains one of only two adult Level I trauma centers in Indiana.  A Level I trauma center is a comprehensive regional resource that is central to the trauma system.  Trauma centers verified as Level I are capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury, from prevention to rehabilitation.  Key elements of a Level I trauma center include 24-hour in-house coverage by general surgeons and prompt availability of care in specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine and critical care.
Level I trauma centers are committed to injury prevention, public education and continuing training of the trauma team members as well as continued improvement through a comprehensive quality assessment program and an organized research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care.