Cycling Safety are practices designed to reduce the risk associated with cycling. Currently, there are frequent debates where the discussion of whether the use of a cycling helmet really increases safety in this practice, however all the dangers inherent to this activity can be controlled with the respective barriers available (lights, brakes in good condition, reflective devices, timely maintenance), or recovery measures if an accident occurs (helmet, gloves, elbow pads). These measures have a direct effect on reducing the number and/or consequences of cycling accidents.

Contenido

El primer accidente registrado es probablemente una colisión en 1842, reportado entre Kirkpatrick McMillan") un ciclista del velocípedo, y una joven en Glasgow. El reporte es vago, sin embargo la identificación es disputada.

Aun, accidentes menores de ciclismo que no involucran hospitalización, pueden causar importantes costos al ciclista o a la sociedad . Un programa belga llamado SHAPES ha estimado recientemente el costo de 12 €-cent por kilómetro pedaleado.[1]​.

Types of Accidents

Collisions with vehicles are the accidents with the most damaging consequences for cyclists. These accidents occur in many cases due to not giving preference to the cyclist in a general way. Examples of these situations are when a vehicle wants to pass another by invading the lane where the cyclist is coming from the opposite direction, or they also occur when a vehicle passes the cyclist without respecting the distance of 1.5 meters, which is the minimum necessary space that must be maintained between the cyclist and a vehicle.

There are other types of cycling accidents that can be avoided by making the appropriate safety decision, according to the type of scenario that occurs, which is generally linked to the type of terrain or unevenness.

A high percentage of accidents can be attributed to abrupt braking of the front wheel of the bicycle, in cases where the speed is relatively high (20 to 30 km/h). The causes may be: a sudden change in the terrain, such as. gravel-sand, erosion that can snag the front wheel, or the action of braking suddenly using only the front brake of the bicycle. This deceleration produces the ejection of the cyclist due to the effect of acquired inertia and, as a consequence, the injuries produced when making contact with the ground, in the first instance can be: the hands, which are used to cushion the fall, can be greatly damaged in the event that the accident does not allow the cyclist, by reflex action, to cushion the fall with their hands. The shoulders and clavicle are responsible for dissipating energy and - finally - blows to the ribs.