TY - JOUR
T1 - Bicycle lanes
T2 - Are we running in circles or cycling in the right direction?
AU - Smith, Alison
AU - Zucker, Shana
AU - Lladó-Farrulla, Mónica
AU - Friedman, Jessica
AU - Guidry, Chrissy
AU - McGrew, Patrick
AU - Schroll, Rebecca
AU - McGinness, Clifton
AU - Duchesne, Juan
PY - 2019/7/1
Y1 - 2019/7/1
N2 - BACKGROUND The number of urban bicyclists has grown exponentially across the United States. Bike lanes were created to promote a safe environment for both motorist and cyclists, but few studies have specifically addressed the outcomes of these interventions. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of bike lanes on bicycle usage and safety in a major urban city. METHODS A retrospective chart review of consecutive adult trauma patients presenting at an urban Level I trauma center due to motor vehicle versus bicycle collisions from January 1, 2007, to January 28, 2017, was performed. Cohorts were stratified into prebicycle and postbicycle lane implementation for analysis. RESULTS Bicycle use during the study period increased almost three fold (1,672 vs. 6,060, p < 0.0001). There was also a spike in the percent of yearly bicyclists as trauma patients during the 10-year period (0.7% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.05). A total of 184 patients brought to the trauma center were identified. Significant differences between the prebike lane and postbike lane groups were identified for average Injury Severity Score (12.7 ± 1.7 vs. 8.0 ± 0.6 p = 0.0134), Glasgow Coma Scale score on arrival (12.6 ± 0.7 vs. 13.9 ± 0.2, p = 0.0171), proportion of head and face injuries (59.4% to 38.8%, p = 0.047), and patients requiring surgical intervention (100% to 55.9%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION As bicycle lanes become increasing popular in US cities, it is important to review the success of this intervention on improving safety. Preliminary results from this study suggest that the implementation of urban bike lanes improved bicyclist safety. Further studies should focus on specific injury prevention programs, which could help to target areas such as helmet use and riding a bicycle while impaired to help improve overall safety. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and epidemiological, level IV.
AB - BACKGROUND The number of urban bicyclists has grown exponentially across the United States. Bike lanes were created to promote a safe environment for both motorist and cyclists, but few studies have specifically addressed the outcomes of these interventions. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of bike lanes on bicycle usage and safety in a major urban city. METHODS A retrospective chart review of consecutive adult trauma patients presenting at an urban Level I trauma center due to motor vehicle versus bicycle collisions from January 1, 2007, to January 28, 2017, was performed. Cohorts were stratified into prebicycle and postbicycle lane implementation for analysis. RESULTS Bicycle use during the study period increased almost three fold (1,672 vs. 6,060, p < 0.0001). There was also a spike in the percent of yearly bicyclists as trauma patients during the 10-year period (0.7% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.05). A total of 184 patients brought to the trauma center were identified. Significant differences between the prebike lane and postbike lane groups were identified for average Injury Severity Score (12.7 ± 1.7 vs. 8.0 ± 0.6 p = 0.0134), Glasgow Coma Scale score on arrival (12.6 ± 0.7 vs. 13.9 ± 0.2, p = 0.0171), proportion of head and face injuries (59.4% to 38.8%, p = 0.047), and patients requiring surgical intervention (100% to 55.9%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION As bicycle lanes become increasing popular in US cities, it is important to review the success of this intervention on improving safety. Preliminary results from this study suggest that the implementation of urban bike lanes improved bicyclist safety. Further studies should focus on specific injury prevention programs, which could help to target areas such as helmet use and riding a bicycle while impaired to help improve overall safety. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and epidemiological, level IV.
KW - bicycle collision
KW - Bicycle lanes
KW - injury prevention
KW - intervention
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85068713616&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85068713616&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/TA.0000000000002328
DO - 10.1097/TA.0000000000002328
M3 - Article
C2 - 31033881
AN - SCOPUS:85068713616
VL - 87
SP - 76
EP - 81
JO - Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
JF - Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
SN - 2163-0755
IS - 1
ER -