Tamer Durdu, Yıldız Yıldırımer Çelik, Nihal Ertürk, Habibe Selmin Özensoy, Furkan Altaş, Hakan Oğuztürk
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine - 2025;8(6):1018-1022
Aims: The aim of this study was to define injury patterns of bicycle accidents in order to guide preventive strategies and resource allocation in emergency departments. Bicycle-related injuries are a significant and growing public health concern. In Turkiye, the increasing popularity of bicycles for transportation and recreation has been paralleled by rising emergency department (ED) admissions. Understanding the epidemiology, mechanisms, and outcomes of these injuries is crucial for developing preventive strategies. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included patients admitted to the Emergency Department of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between February 2019 and December 2024 due to bicycle-related injuries. Data were obtained from the hospital information system and included demographics, injury mechanism, type of bicycle, injury site, consultations, interventions, length of stay, and outcomes. Patients with incomplete records (n=43) were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 317 patients were analyzed, 269 (84.9%) were male and 48 (15.1%) were female. Most patients were Turkish (92.1%). The number of cases increased over the years, peaking in 2024. Helmet use was documented in 134 children (59.8%) and 76 adults (81.7), and its absence was associated with higher rates of head and facial injuries (p<0.05). The most frequent accident mechanism was falling from the bicycle (68.3%), followed by collisions with stationary objects (14.1%). Urban/commuter bicycles (49.3%) were the most common type, while electric bicycles accounted for 19.6%. The most common injury sites were upper extremities (76.0%), face (40.2%), and head (35.2%). Abdominal injuries occurred in 7.9% of cases, with splenic injury being the most frequent (4.4%). No mortality was observed during the study period. Conclusion: Bicycle-related injuries predominantly affect young males and frequently involve extremities, head, and face. Despite moderate helmet use, craniofacial injuries remain common. Abdominal trauma, though less frequent, represents a serious clinical concern, particularly in pediatric cases. These findings highlight the need for improved safety measures, widespread helmet use, and public education to reduce the burden of bicycle-related trauma.
