Bicycle-related injuries among young children related to age at debut of cycling

This study focuses on bicycle-related injuries among young children and the effect of being an inexperienced beginner related to age at debut of cycling. The study was based on a random stratified population sample of 1200 children aged 4–15 years in Bergen, Norway. Data about age at debut of cycling, cycling habits and any previous bicycle-related injuries were collected. A child was defined as a beginner within the first 12 months of active cycling. Relation between the first bicycle-related injury and age at debut was analysed by the Kaplan–Meier method. The risk of getting injured during the first 12 months of active cycling were significant lower for children aged 7 or 8 years at the debut of cycling compared to younger children (hazard ratio = 0.78, P < 0.001). Children cycling more than 1 h per week were at greater risk of getting injured during the first 12 months than those who cycled less (hazard ratio = 1.95, P = 0.014).This study shows that the risk of getting injured during the first 12 months of active cycling is reduced if bicycling debut is delayed until 7 or 8 years instead of at 4 or 5 years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]