Number of Mountain Bike Injuries Dropping (US News & World Report)

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Researchers credit better bike design for downward trend

Posted: February 14, 2011

MONDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- The number of mountain bike-related injuries in the United States has fallen 56 percent since the mid-1990s, from more than 23,000 in 1995 to just over 10,000 in 2007, a new study shows.
The decrease is likely because of a combination of factors, said the researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
"While some of the decline may be explained by a decrease in the number of people riding mountain bikes, there have also been a number of improvements to the bicycle design, such as disc brakes and dual-suspension systems, that give the rider greater control of the bike and may help to reduce the incidence of injuries," study author Lara McKenzie said in a hospital news release.

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