Cycling head injuries drop 27%

The number of serious head injuries in Canada from bicycling has dropped over the past 10 years, thanks to the greater use of helmets among children, health researchers said Thursday.

In a report on summer recreational injuries, the Canadian Institute for Health Information says that while the number of cycling-related hospitalizations remained stable from 2001-2002 to 2009-2010, serious head injuries dropped from 907 to 665.

In 2009-2010, 4,324 Canadians were hospitalized as a result of cycling injuries, with nearly half of those injuries happening in the summer.

Cycling injuries are most common among children and youth — especially those between 10 and 14 years of age.

"The good news is that many studies are showing that the widespread use of helmets has resulted in fewer serious head injuries among children," Pamela Fuselli, executive director of Safe Kids Canada, said in a release.

Adjusting for age, British Columbia and Alberta had the highest cycling injury hospitalization rates, while Ontario and Nova Scotia had the lowest.

The CIHI study of the last 10 years also showed that over the June-to-August period, an average of 194 people died in Canada from car and all-terrain vehicle accidents and summer sports and recreational activities, including cycling, roller skating, skateboarding, swimming and boating.

It noted the number of serious injuries involving all-terrain vehicles is growing faster than any other type of wheel- or water-based activity.

In 2009-2010, 3,386 people were hospitalized for all-terrain vehicle injuries — a 31 per cent increase from 2001-2002. Those at highest risk of injury were men between the ages of 15 and 24.