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Key facts about injury when cycling in perspective

The road users most at risk from head injury are pedestrians and young drivers. [1] [2]
In Great Britain, 6 times more pedestrians and 18 times more motor vehicle occupants suffer lethal head injuries than cyclists. Pedestrians and motor vehicle occupants also suffer more lethal injuries to the abdomen and thorax. [3] [4]
Children are 2.6 times more likely to suffer head injury through jumping and falling than by cycling. [5]
More than 99% of head injuries seen by UK hospitals do not involve road cyclists. [6]
Helmets for motorists are much more effective than those for cyclists and more beneficial than seat belts, interior padding or air bags. Their potential for reducing injury is 17 times greater than that of cycle helmets. [7] [3]

See also:	How likely is head injury when cycling?
	Location of injuries to cyclists
	Relative risk in cycling
	How safe is cycling? - an informative quiz

References

[1] Risk in cycling TRRL working paper SP/RS/75 1988, based on National Travel Survey.
[2] Ramet M, Vallet G. Typologies des accidentes du trafic routier a partier de 5459 dossiers. INRET, Rapports INRET/LCB Aug87 p106.
[3] Kennedy A. The pattern of injury in fatal pedal cycle accidents and the possible benefits of cycle helmets. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 1996 Jun;30(2):130-3.
[4]Department for Transport transport statistics.
[5] O'Rourke NA, Costello F, Yelland JDN, Stuart GG. Head injuries to children riding bicycles. Medical Journal of Australia, 1987;146:619-621.
[6] Derived from data from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, and
Thornhill S, Teasdale GM, Murray GD, McEwen J, Roy CW, Penny KI. Disability in young people and adults one year after head injury: prospective cohort study. BMJ, 2000 v320 p1631-5.
[7] McLean AJ, Fildes BN, Kloeden CN, Digges KH, Anderson RWG, Moore VM. Prevention of head injuries to car occupants: an investigation of interior padding options. Federal Office of Road Safety, Report CR160.

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