The Norwegian Public Roads Authority has prepared a report on traffic accidents in Oslo
The peak is approaching season for traffic injuries involving cyclists and electric users scooters. This is stated in a report prepared by the Norwegian Public Roads Authority using injury data and other information on bicycle accidents, which was recorded by the Oslo Ambulance Service. Most accidents occur in the period from maja until September. Additionally, the risk of an accident is three times greater at night.
Most often, young men come to the emergency room
Especially young men report to the emergency room by bike. These are people who are mostly moderately or severely injured. The most common reason for visiting the emergency room is hand or wrist injuries. Then head injuries follow. In the case of electric scooters the opposite is the case. Here, most of the head injuries occur. Many people visit the emergency room with leg injuries.
Young people account for a quarter of all accidents in Oslo in 2019
Most often, they are young people aged 25-34, accounting for a quarter of all accidents in Oslo in 2019. Of all those injured on a bicycle, 68 percent were slightly injured and 25 percent were moderately injured. 7 percent of them were seriously injured in a bicycle accident.
Women account for 36% of the total number of bicycle accidents
The report also states that as much as 40 percent of accidents involving electric scooters occur under the influence of alcohol. By comparison, 8 percent of cyclists were found to be drunk. Many of them rode a city bike. Here, too, males dominate. Women, which account for 36% of the total number of bicycle accidents, are less likely to be involved in alcohol-related bicycle accidents.
Most accidents happen without the involvement of other people
Overall, the report's findings show that 75 percent of all bicycle accidents involve other road users. Most bicycle accidents were recorded as almost accidents half of the people were injured as a result loss of balance.
Falls due to tram rails had the greatest share
One third of accidents are single accidents with different obstacles along the way. Among them, the greatest share was caused by falls due to tram rails, followed by collisions with curbs (23%) or holes in the road (17%). In e-scooter accidents, 40 percent were injured by such obstacles.
Most accidents happen on a mixed-traffic road. Half of them collide with a car. There are also many accidents on pedestrian and bicycle paths, 15% on bicycles and 13% on electric scooters.
Is it more dangerous to ride a bike or use an electric scooter in traffic?
During the preparation of the report, calculations were carried out to be able to say something about whether it is more dangerous to ride a bike or use an electric scooter in traffic in Oslo. Research has shown that the risk of injury in the latter case is 10 times greater than that of an ordinary bicycle. This applies to all degrees of trauma.
The report's findings can contribute to increased efforts to reduce the number of serious road accidents
"This report is the basis that will be used to develop effective and targeted actions and measures both in Oslo and elsewhere," says traffic safety chief for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Guro Ranes. These activities will require cooperation between several agencies and we hope that the findings of the report can contribute to increased efforts to reduce the number of serious road accidents.
According to the report, only 2 percent of injured e-scooter users wore helmets, compared to 60 percent of cyclists.
