Mountain bikes: number of fatal accidents has quadrupled
Last year, eight people had an accident while riding a mountain bike. According to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, there are usually four fewer accidents per year. The number of injuries has also risen.
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The demand for mountain bikes with and without electric assistance is increasing. Last year, a total of 200,000 mountain bikes were sold. A third of these were e-mountainbikes. With the growing popularity of this leisure activity, the average number of injuries is also increasing every year. According to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU), an average of around 10,600 mountain bikers are injured so seriously each year that they require medical treatment.
More accidents and more deaths with mountain bikes
Five men and three women lost their lives in mountain bike accidents in 2020. However, the average age of the victims was over 50. According to the BFU, the increase in accidents and fatalities is also due to the fact that many athletes overestimate their abilities. Good physical condition is therefore very important. A single second of carelessness can quickly lead to a nasty fall.
Even those who are inadequately equipped put themselves at risk. A helmet is still indispensable. However, depending on the difficulty of the routes, additional protective equipment is also an advantage: for example, for knees, elbows and back, as well as sports goggles and long-fingered gloves.
Riding safely on a mountain bike (how-to video):
Source: AAIB
