Tram system related cycling injuries

Abstract

TSRCI occur predominantly in young to middle-aged adults with low levels of socioeconomic deprivation, most commonly when bicycle wheels get caught in tram-tracks. They result in various injuries, frequently affecting the upper limb. Traffic pressures are commonly implicated. Most patients report negative effects on confidence and a sizeable minority do not resume cycling. TSRCI can result in significant loss of working and cycling days.

Cyclist Injuries from Tram Track Incidents: A Retrospective 10-Year Analysis

“…In accordance with previous literature [1,3,4], fractures to the upper limb are the most common severe type of injury sustained by patients involved in bicycle-related tram track accidents. During wedging, bikers either fall and try to protect themselves by intercepting the fall with the arm, which can lead to fractures of the upper extremity, or they try to intercept the fall with the lower extremity, trying not to fall but potentially leading to distorsions of the ankle and knee joint.…”

“…Tram-system-related cycling injuries have previously been distinguished according to the underlying injury mechanism. The most common accident mechanism has been described as one of the bicycle wheels getting trapped or wedged in the on-road rail flangeway (the visible track groove), causing the cyclist to fall [4][5][6]. Sliding on the tram track surface has also been mentioned as a relevant injury mechanism [4].…”

“…The most common accident mechanism has been described as one of the bicycle wheels getting trapped or wedged in the on-road rail flangeway (the visible track groove), causing the cyclist to fall [4][5][6]. Sliding on the tram track surface has also been mentioned as a relevant injury mechanism [4]. The literature is scarce on these described injury mechanisms and cyclist safety.…”

Tram-track cycling injuries: a significant public health issue

“…A recent Australianstudy found that hospitalised cyclists from single bicycle crashes accounted for nearly half of all road crashes, with 19% of those involving the cyclists bicycle wheel getting caught in an on-road tram-track [2]. These specific types of cycling crashes involving road infrastructure are frequently reported in international studies [3][4][5][6][7]. Such collisions appear to mainly occur while cyclists attempt to ride closely along side the track line or cross it at an acute angle as opposed to crossing the track line at the recommended a 90-degree angle [4].…”