Odd Mjåland, Ingeborg Storesund Hesjevoll, Torkel Bjørnskau, Olav Røise, Andrew M Garratt
Within this sample of bicycle and micromobility accidents that is broadly representative for Norway, the great majority of injuries were to the head and extremities, with fast recovery to pre-accident self-reported health-related quality of life. Given the high number of bicycle accidents and continued increase in bicycle and e-scooter use, further accident and injury monitoring is recommended.
INTRODUCTION: There has been a huge increase in bicycle and micromobility device use in Europe but the systematic collection of accident and injury data including patient-reported outcome measures is lacking.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective registration of accidents from bicycle-and micro-mobility usage within Agder County, Norway from 1st June 2022-30 th September 2023. Study sites had posters, folders and business cards with project QR codes linked to accident questionnaires covering helmet use, type of bicycle, type of accident and retrospective pre-injury EQ-5D-5L. Within 5 days, the injured were telephoned and asked for consent to the collection of clinical data covering injury and treatment, and EQ-5D-5L follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months. The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and New Injury Severity Score (NISS) were used for injury severity/site and overall severity, respectively. Multi-trauma followed the Newcastle definition. Multiple injury was defined as > 1 affected AIS body chapter.
RESULTS: Of 460 eligible patients, 317 (68%) completed the baseline EQ-5D-5L. The mean age was 37 yrs and 39% were female. Median (IQR) NISS was 4 (1-5), 38% had multiple (2-5) injuries, 1% were multi-trauma according to the Newcastle definition, AIS upper extremity injuries affected over 60%. 78% had worn a helmet, 25% rode an electric bicycle, and 75% of accidents did not involve other road users. Median (IQR) recovery was 37 (14-61) days; 11 (3%) had not fully recovered at 12 months. At 12 months both EQ-5D-5L index (p = 0.001) and EQ VAS (p = 0.001) scores exceeded those at pre-injury, and the only significant difference across demographic and clinical strata was observed for injury type: those with multiple injuries had lower improvements in EQ-5D-5L index scores compared to those with single injuries (p = 0.034).
CONCLUSION: Within this sample of bicycle and micromobility accidents that is broadly representative for Norway, the great majority of injuries were to the head and extremities, with fast recovery to pre-accident self-reported health-related quality of life. Given the high number of bicycle accidents and continued increase in bicycle and e-scooter use, further accident and injury monitoring is recommended.