Background. Bicycle injury data from local communities are important f
or developing injury prevention and control programs. This study repre
sents the efforts of one community trauma center to describe bicycle i
njuries. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of bicycle inj
ury data from hospital charts, emergency medical services reports, and
medical examiner reports. The review encompassed a 4-year period. The
study sample included 211 trauma alert patients, ages I through 15 ye
ars, who were treated for bicycle-related injuries at our level II ped
iatric trauma center. Results. Bicycle injuries accounted for 18% of a
ll pediatric trauma alert,patients. The mean age of injured children w
as 10 years, and 79% were males. Bicycle-motor vehicle collisions caus
ed 84% of injuries. Only 3 children (1.4%) wore bicycle helmets. Resul
ting injuries included external wounds (86%), head injuries (47%), fra
ctures (29%), and internal organs (9%). Six children died. Conclusions
. Bicycle injuries are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity
for children in our community. Use of safety helmets by child bicyclis
ts is inadequate. The data from this study can be used as a baseline i
n testing the effectiveness of local and state interventions, includin
g new legislation mandating helmet use by children in our state.