Accidents with elderly cyclists

This study investigates the safety of elderly cyclists in traffic as provided by a number of existing databases. In addition to the general public databases of CBS, MON and SWOV the database of Fietsbalans is used, the project Fietsersbond employs to measure quality of cycling. This material mostly highlights the more serious two-sided accidents; light and one-sided accidents are strongly underrepresented. Older people cycle more in smaller towns than they do in large towns. In towns where non-elderly cyclists cycle a lot, the elderly cycle more than on average as well. The risk for elderly cyclists of an accident with injuries is on average 3.2 times as high as for other cyclists. This increased risk is caused not so much by an increased degree of involvement in accidents, but mainly by the elderly’s increased fragility. In towns where the elderly cycle more, their risk of an accident with injuries is smaller (safety in numbers). This relation is so strong that the overall number of accidents with elderly cyclists is only to a slight degree dependent on the number of kilometres they cycle. The explanation for this remarkable phenomenon may be that the elderly who cycle more, will have more practical experience and therefore encounter fewer accidents. In addition there is more cycling anyway in towns with a better and therefore safer cycling climate. Only two of all elements of actual cycling climate investigated by Fietsersbond show a negative correlation with the safety of elderly cyclists in traffic: traffic hinder and noise. In both cases this correlation is not found for other cyclists, making it an issue specifically for the elderly. There are therefore clear differences in risks between elderly and non-elderly cyclists. Recommendations 1 encourage cycling among (50-)65-74 year olds and selectively among those over 75. 2 improve bicycle infrastructure: a. ensure a good cycling climate, particularly a good bicycle infrastructure b. devolve bicycle and car networks c. ensure a wider bicycle infrastructure, particularly wider bike paths. 3. prepare a plan of attack for Safe Bicycle Infrastructure, to be carried out by a Bicycle Advice Team.

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