Pedal cycling fatalities in northern Sweden.

The aim of the study was to elucidate the crash and injury mechanisms in bicycle fatalities in the northern half of Sweden. All available autopsy protocols, hospital records and police reports were scrutinized. In 11 years, 146 bicyclists were fatally injured. The majority of the victims were males (66%) and the median age was 60 years. Most of the crashes (81%) occurred from May through October, during weekdays (84%), and during daylight (86%). Almost all victims (88%) died in a motor vehicle collision, in 21% with a truck. None was wearing a helmet. Poor hearing and cerebral arterosclerosis were probable risk factors among the elderly. Of the victims tested, 10% were under the influence of alcohol, half of whom were involved in single-bicycle crashes. In an additional five cases, the motor vehicle driver was impaired by alcohol. All injuries were due to blunt trauma and 69% of the victims died from head injuries. In 91% of all cases, there was an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score of the head region of > or = 3. The results indicate that separation of bicyclists from motor vehicle traffic by separate cycling tracks and protection of the head by a helmet would be beneficial.