Gender differences in cyclists' crashes: an analysis of routinely recorded crash data

Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot. 2019 Dec;26(4):391-398. doi: 10.1080/17457300.2019.1653930. Epub 2019 Aug 20.

Abstract

Previous research on gender differences in road crashes has focussed uniquely on car drivers and there has been little research examining such differences among cyclists. In this study, we investigated gender differences in bicycle crashes, using routinely recorded crash data. The present paper focussed on characteristics related to the type of crashes (type of collision and opponent vehicle), the infrastructure (road type and type of road segment), the environmental (season, road surface condition and weather) and time period (time of the day and day of the week). Results revealed that, compared to women cyclists, men cyclists were more likely to be involved in a crash regardless the cyclists' age. Moreover, we found gender differences in terms of type of road segment, type of opponent vehicle, type of manoeuvre of the opponent vehicle and of the cyclists, type of collision, time of the day, day of the week and season.

Keywords: Cycling; crash; fatality; gender differences; injury; road safety.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / mortality
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Bicycling / statistics & numerical data*
  • Built Environment / statistics & numerical data
  • Databases, Factual
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Motor Vehicles / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk-Taking
  • Seasons
  • Sex Factors*
  • Surface Properties
  • Time Factors
  • Weather