Injuries on the rise among mountain bikers

why dont you go and die and make everyones day, you sad *******
"Mike Vandeman" wrote in message
...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6850964.ece

Injuries on the rise among mountain bikers

Mark Macaskill

A leading Scottish spine surgeon has called for an urgent review of
mountain-biking safety after figures showed the number of cyclists
seriously injured has risen.

David Allen, director of the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries
Unit at Glasgow’s Southern General hospital, warned the sport’s
growing popularity meant the number of off-road cyclists injuring
their spines would continue to rise unless action was taken.

Since 2004, there have been more than 120 mountainbiking accidents,
with eight cyclists getting spinal injuries. Cycling is the second-
most common cause of sports-related spinal injuries, after diving.

Last month, a mountain biker was airlifted to hospital with serious
head and neck injuries after crashing on a trail in Dalbeattie in the
southwest of Scotland. In October last year, a 15-year-old boy
received a serious head injury in Ae Forest in Dumfries and Galloway.

“There does appear to be a disproportionate increase in the number of
mountain bike injuries and they are, in general, more serious [than
other cycling accidents],” said Allen.

The increase in serious injuries has coincided with Scotland’s growing
international popularity as a destination for mountain bikers.

The trend has been blamed on inexperienced riders who tackle forest
trails and purpose-built tracks, which often involve difficult jumps
and steep “drop-offs”. Concerns have also been raised over the quality
of riders’ equipment, such as helmets and pads.

Allen’s warning comes ahead of the publication of a national strategic
framework on mountain biking, compiled by cycling groups.

The framework will recommend that all trails in Scotland comply with a
standard colour-coded grading system used by the Forestry Commission.
Under the system, green denotes the easiest trail, progressing to
blue, red, black and orange, which should be attempted only by the
most experienced bikers.

More detailed information on trails will be provided so riders can
judge which are best suited to their ability.

The first mountain bike proficiency scheme, run by Scottish Cycling,
the sport’s governing body, will also be launched in Scotland and
rolled out across the rest of Britain. Riders must demonstrate good
technical, navigation and first aid skills to pass.

“A national strategic framework on mountain biking is welcomed as long
as it takes into consideration the importance of safety awareness and
safety of the trail, equipment and clothing, including the use of
helmets and protective body armour,” said Allen. “We would welcome a
real-time accident-monitoring scheme that could identify dangerous
routes.”

Allen added that Scotland’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s best
mountain-biking destinations meant that additional measures were vital
to stop the number of serious spinal injuries rising further.

The country’s flagship centre, at 7stanes in Dumfries and Galloway,
boasts 25 world-class trails and generates more than £9m for the local
economy. The Mountain Bike World Cup is held every year at Fort
William, Inverness-shire.

“We can’t stop anyone from accessing Scotland’s great outdoors but we
should be aiming to limit injuries by providing as much information as
we can to participants,” said Jackie Davidson, chief executive of
Scottish Cycling. “With increased numbers comes the potential for
increased levels of injury, but a lot more safeguards are being built
in with regard to the grading of trails, education of riders and the
structure of clubs.”

The Forestry Commission Scotland, which manages the 7stanes centre,
said all trails were risk-assessed and routinely inspected by biking
rangers, and that accidents were investigated to see if lessons could
be learned. A spokesman said: “We take mountain bike safety very
seriously. We want riders to enjoy the trails, whatever the level, but
we also want them to do this safely. There are many things you can do
to improve safety, including proper trail design, good interpretation
and grading and we always keep procedures under review.”

On Sep 29, 9:24*am, "dave cantwell"
wrote:
why dont you go and die and make everyones day, you sad *******

Thanks for demonstrating exactly what mountain bikers are like. You
guys are your own worst enemies.

Mike Vandeman wrote:
On Sep 29, 9:24 am, "dave cantwell"
wrote:
why dont you go and die and make everyones day, you sad *******

Thanks for demonstrating exactly what mountain bikers are like. You
guys are your own worst enemies.

Actually I think the reasoning behind your posted article deserved a
more dismissive response: Are you aligning yourself with the opinion
that if you stay indoors you'll be less likely to have a spinal injury?
Shall we dig up some stats for that? Or perhaps the amount of spinal
injuries resulting from car crashes? No, let's not.....