Biking in NZ
Hopping on a bike is often seen as one of the most perilous things one can do: but researchers who have crunched the numbers say cycling is far safer than we think.
In fact, the University of Auckland team behind the new study say that even if you rode a bike three times a week, on average, you would suffer an injury worthy of an ACC claim only every 70 years.
Comparatively, cycling was also more than 100 times less risky than snowsports — and 500 times safer than playing rugby.
Cyclist and study co-author Professor Alistair Woodward said the research was motivated by continually hearing people say they’d love to cycle but didn’t for fear of injury.
“So that really prompted me to get a student working on a project to try to find out exactly what the risk was and how it compared with other things that are relatively common.”
Woodward wasn’t surprised to A 30-minute bike ride each week is 1.2 to 2.2 times safer than DIY, 1.3 to 5.3 times safer than horse riding and 460 to 530 times safer than rugby (one game every three weeks). the fix, he said, but not enough. There needed to be changes on the road as well, such as slower vehicle speeds, better intersections, and wider shoulders to include the bicycle.
“More people riding, and public spaces that celebrate two-wheeled choices, will do two things — make cycling even safer, and reduce the fear of the bike.”
But Woodward acknowledged regularly cycling could still prove dangerous and an uncomfortable experience for some.
“If I ride into town along Remuera Rd, it’s a real headache having to watch out for people opening their doors or not seeing you,” he said.
“Because I’ve done it so often, I know the chances of getting actually knocked off my bike are pretty small — but it’s a pain in the neck that you have to watch out.”
Patrick Morgan of Cycling Action Network said the study, just published in the Journal of Transport and Health, showed “that riding a bike will add years to your life, and also, life to your years”.