Whether you worry about your child’s safety or your own well-being when riding a bike, it is important to review data on bike accidents in order to develop a better understanding of this issue and the risks cyclists face. Unfortunately, children and young adults account for many of the bike accident injuries and deaths that take place every year.
Young people face various risk factors when it comes to bike accidents. For example, some spend a significant amount of time on bikes because they do not have a car. Peer pressure, academic fatigue and inexperience can also lead to a serious accident.
Data on bike accidents that involve young adults and kids
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that during 2019, those between 15 and 20 had the highest rate of bike accident injuries in comparison to other age groups (32 out of every 100,000 people). Bicyclists between the ages of 21 and 24 had the second highest rate of injuries in 2019 (25 out of every 100,000 people).
During 2019, the NHTSA reports 7,000 bike accident injuries among children 14 and under and 8,000 for those between 15 and 20.
Ways bike accidents impact children and young adults
For a young cyclist, an injury can disrupt life in different ways. Injuries can lead to intense pain, immobility and missing out on hobbies and important events. These injuries can also cause financial strain and interfere with studies. Sadly, even cautious and responsible young cyclists find themselves in devastating accidents due to reckless drivers.