Bicycle accidents in Bogotá, Colombia, 2015-2016

Abstract

We conducted a descriptive epidemiological study of bicycle accidents in Bogotá during 2015–2016, together with a field analysis, whose purpose was to study the data to find trends, describe some sociodemographic variables and features of accidents, and explore possible causes of the accidents. The results show that these events provoked 140 deaths and that 3,371 cyclists were injured, presenting an increase in both variables with respect to the previous years and changing the downward trend that had occurred during 2003–2013. We found that some possible causes associated with safety issues were badly-signaled or poorly-enforced right turn signs, the presence of motor–powered pedicabs, the absence or inadequate condition of connections and signs of bicycle lanes and the conflicts in the interaction with the public transport of cargo and passengers.