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Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 42731148 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113673

Epidemiology of mountain bike-related injury presentations to emergency departments: A 15-year retrospective analysis.

Injury 57(11):113673

Authors: Gillian Course, James E Sharman, Ting Zhao, Petr Otahal, Viet Tran

Affiliations

  • School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
  • Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
  • Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
  • School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

To determine the epidemiology of mountain bike (MTB)-related presentations to public hospital emergency departments (ED) in Tasmania, Australia, pre- and post-development of purpose-built MTB trails.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of presentations to Tasmanian public hospital EDs pre- and post-MTB trail development in 2015 (total period: 1st January 2010-31 st December 2024). MTB-related injuries were determined from hospital medical records. Epidemiological characteristics were prevalence, clinical urgency (Australasian Triage Scale [ATS] categories 1-5, most to least urgent), arrival mode (ambulance vs private transport), mortality, admission rate, seasonal variation, injury profile and patient demographics.

RESULTS

For the total period, there were 6643 MTB-related presentations. Prevalence increased 3-fold post-trail development, 1.0-3.6/1000 ED presentations (n = 743-5900) with seasonal burden highest in summer. Clinical urgency increased 375% for ATS category 1 from 0.8 (0.8) mean (SD) to 3.8 (2.8) presentations/year, and 1343% for category 2 from 8.2 (4.0) to 118.3 (65.5) presentations/year. Ambulance arrivals increased 372% from 21.2 (3.6) to 100 (47.6) /year. Hospital admission rate increased 663% post-trail development, from 17.2 (7.4) to 131.3 (64.4) /year. All four deaths were post-trail development. Over the total period, 41.6% of MTB injuries were orthopaedic, soft tissue injuries 27.5%, open wounds 19.3%, and multiple major trauma was 1.8%. Upper extremities were the dominantly injured body region (51.1%). Injured males were more prevalent (pre- 80%, post- 85%). Age distribution widened (10-50 years pre-, 5-80 years post-). 10-14 year-olds had the highest presentations/year increase from 13.8 (7.0) to 118.8 (67.2)/year.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased rates of ED presentations, clinical urgency, and increased arrival by ambulance was observed post purpose-built MTB trail development. This study provides epidemiological data to inform riders about the risks, guide injury prevention strategies and health resource allocation.

MeSH

Epidemiology, Emergencies, Hospitals, Public, Ambulances, Wounds And Injuries, Accidents, Emergency Service, Hospital