Mountain biking could lose its reputation as an extreme sport on the back of new Australian statistics showing it is better described as extremely safe.
A major analysis of injury rates in cross country endurance mountain biking has concluded that just a quarter of a per cent of those who do it are seriously hurt.
"It has a reputation as an extreme sport that is quite dangerous but we have shown that that's really not the case," said lead researcher Dr Nick Taylor, from the emergency department at Canberra Hospital.
"In fact, it's much safer than it's given credit for."
The researchers analysed demographic and illness data recorded by paramedics attending the annual biking championships over the past eight years.
Of the 14,777 riders who took part over the years, just 673, or 4.5 per cent, required first aid treatment and just 37, or 0.25 per cent, were taken to hospital.
Female riders were more likely to be seriously injured than males, and a comparison with weather data showed accidents were more likely to happen in a hotter, drier climate.
"We are not sure exactly why this is but we believe that the dry heat dries out the tracks a lot, making it loose and sandy and harder for the tyres to grip," Dr Taylor said.
"It is also likely that in endurance races like this the riders get sweaty, tired, fatigued and more accident-norpe in the hotter weather."
Accidents were also more likely on busier tracks for obvious reasons.
The study, to be presented at an emergency medicine conference in Newcastle tomorrow, is the largest to give a safety profile for the sport.
"Mountain biking is an increasingly popular sport in Australia," Dr Taylor said.
"Yet there is a paucity of Australian information on injuries in this sport, and limited overseas literature."
Joined: Jun 08, 2003 Posts: 5,056 Location: Wellitrack
Posted: Thu 3rd Jul 2:00pm Post subject:
kcollobs.
Using data captured from XC endurance races to represent all mountainbiking is like counting driver deaths in pub carparks and saying drunk driving is safe.
Mountain biking could lose its reputation as an extreme sport on the back of new Australian statistics showing it is better described as extremely safe.
A major analysis of injury rates in cross country endurance mountain biking has concluded that just a quarter of a per cent of those who do it are seriously hurt.
"It has a reputation as an extreme sport that is quite dangerous but we have shown that that's really not the case," said lead researcher Dr Nick Taylor, from the emergency department at Canberra Hospital.
"In fact, it's much safer than it's given credit for."
The researchers analysed demographic and illness data recorded by paramedics attending the annual biking championships over the past eight years.
Of the 14,777 riders who took part over the years, just 673, or 4.5 per cent, required first aid treatment and just 37, or 0.25 per cent, were taken to hospital.
Female riders were more likely to be seriously injured than males, and a comparison with weather data showed accidents were more likely to happen in a hotter, drier climate.
"We are not sure exactly why this is but we believe that the dry heat dries out the tracks a lot, making it loose and sandy and harder for the tyres to grip," Dr Taylor said.
"It is also likely that in endurance races like this the riders get sweaty, tired, fatigued and more accident-norpe in the hotter weather."
Accidents were also more likely on busier tracks for obvious reasons.
The study, to be presented at an emergency medicine conference in Newcastle tomorrow, is the largest to give a safety profile for the sport.
"Mountain biking is an increasingly popular sport in Australia," Dr Taylor said.
"Yet there is a paucity of Australian information on injuries in this sport, and limited overseas literature."
That does not surprise me at all as 90% of the riding i did there seemed to be on tame man made non technical tracks/ fire roads.
Heat and dehydration as mentioned was what i struggled with.
Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 2,052 Location: Otumoetai
Posted: Thu 3rd Jul 2:52pm Post subject:
bleeding biased report I say. since when was racing a dry solid course more dangerous than a wet and muddy course?
Having said that, must go fall off my bike this weekend to prove how madc0re MTBing is
Joined: May 02, 2008 Posts: 359 Location: On the western front
Posted: Thu 3rd Jul 3:35pm Post subject: RE: Re: Mountain Biking Not So Extreme
i_ride_rigid wrote:
That does not surprise me at all as 90% of the riding i did there seemed to be on tame man made non technical tracks/ fire roads.
Heat and dehydration as mentioned was what i struggled with.
Interesting read.
OK, you obviously didn't ride at Beechworth, Stromlo, Mt Majura, Thredbo, Post Maq, Killingworth, or any of the other hundereds of 'technical' riding areas. In My experience, of the enduros held here (moonride, day nighter, n-zo) they go over the top with safe, easy trails to appeal to the most punters. Most of the enduros ive done in aussie are on a much higher level of technie trails.
In fact, the upcoming world champs being held at Stromlo (In canberra) are probably going to be pretty boring considering 90% of riding there is all fire roads huh.
I'd also like to see more of these non man made tracks you speak of; they sound great.
Joined: Mar 22, 2008 Posts: 577 Location: Crashing on a perfectly groomed trail near you .ChCh
Posted: Thu 3rd Jul 7:28pm Post subject:
Hmmmmmmmmmm that about sums up XC but what about DH. It would appear that not ALL disciplines were studied - good news for DHers going for health insurance though, just quote that article and your premiums should be nice and low - how much funding was wasted on that study
Using data captured from XC endurance races to represent all mountainbiking is like counting driver deaths in pub carparks and saying drunk driving is safe.
Joined: Jun 14, 2007 Posts: 833 Location: Avoiding pies
Posted: Thu 3rd Jul 7:59pm Post subject: RE: Re: Re: Mountain Biking Not So Extreme
tyred wrote:
i_ride_rigid wrote:
That does not surprise me at all as 90% of the riding i did there seemed to be on tame man made non technical tracks/ fire roads.
Heat and dehydration as mentioned was what i struggled with.
Interesting read.
OK, you obviously didn't ride at Beechworth, Stromlo, Mt Majura, Thredbo, Post Maq, Killingworth, or any of the other hundereds of 'technical' riding areas. In My experience, of the enduros held here (moonride, day nighter, n-zo) they go over the top with safe, easy trails to appeal to the most punters. Most of the enduros ive done in aussie are on a much higher level of technie trails.
In fact, the upcoming world champs being held at Stromlo (In canberra) are probably going to be pretty boring considering 90% of riding there is all fire roads huh.
I'd also like to see more of these non man made tracks you speak of; they sound great.
Compared to PortHills (and surrounds) what i rode downunder - which was a fair bit (and i lived there for 8 years) are tame. I rode XC and trails though- no DH.
I'm not knocking them though as riding the endurance scene and often riding solo for 6 - 8hrs in 35 - 42degs was a real challenge
As for Beechworth- what a fantastic trail! One of my favs- very much like the Bendigo area- nice.
But as mentioned- taking statistics from events is not really a true representation of mountain biking.
</hijack>
Last edited by more_horse_link on Thu 3rd Jul 8:58pm; edited 4 times in total
Also I have issue with "required first aid treatment" .... ambiguous meaning.
I've "required first aid treatment" several times for horrendous wounds suffered while riding, but only ever gone to hospital once myself. I have the sizable gouged scars to prove it Good old adrenalin and its pain (and possibly sometimes intelligence) limiting ability...
"Maybe if I just keep riding hard the resulting blood loss will clean, close, and heal the wound"...
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I heard that Sam Hill guy say it.
- how much funding was wasted on that study 
Good old adrenalin and its pain (and possibly sometimes intelligence) limiting ability...
