Bicycle and cycle rickshaw injury in suburban India.

OBJECTIVES

To study pattern of injury associated with bicycle and cycle rickshaw.

METHODS

Between June 2002 and June 2003, a hospital based prospective study was done of patients who presented with injury due to bicycle and cycle rickshaw in emergency department. Age, time of trauma, mode of trauma, contributing factors and type of injury were recorded.

RESULTS

Out of total of 41 patients, 23 were injured from bicycle and 18 from cycle rickshaw. In the bicycle group all patients were either traveling on crossbar or rear fender. 91% had sustained injuries due to spokes and 83% had soft tissue injury. In the rickshaw group contributing factors to injury were traveling on rear board and school children traveling on overloaded rickshaw. 78% were injured by rear cogwheel-chain mechanism and 72% patients had only soft tissue injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Bicycle and cycle rickshaw injuries have a unique pattern of injury particularly affecting individuals riding them in an unconventional way. Majority of them sustained extensive soft tissue injury to leg and ankle.