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The majority of injured mountain bikers are male (81.8%), and accidents occur particularly frequently on weekends and between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Riding errors, accounting for 77.4%, are by far the most common cause of crashes during downhill runs in the bike park.
Fractures are the most commonly documented diagnosis, with the shoulder and clavicle region being the most commonly affected area of the body.
Due to the severity of the injuries or the difficult terrain, about one in four injured riders must be airlifted by helicopter.
Summary of the Study
Mountain bike parks are becoming increasingly popular in ski resorts, as chairlifts handle the uphill transport and riders can enjoy the downhill runs. These parks offer trails of varying difficulty levels and artificial obstacles for jumps and stunts, leading to specific injury patterns. The aim of this retrospective epidemiological study was to analyze mountain bike injuries at two bike parks in western Austria during the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons.
Injury data were systematically documented by bike patrols using an online reporting tool. Exposure data (number of visits and rides) from one of the parks also allowed for the calculation of an injury rate.
A total of 274 injured riders were recorded, 81.8% of whom were male (average age 30.2 years). The majority (65%) were from Germany. Most accidents occurred between Friday and Sunday, primarily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Over 90% of the injuries occurred during the descent, and 15% occurred during the first run of the day.
Falls due to riding errors accounted for 77.4% of the injuries, while 20.8% were related to landings after jumps. The shoulder and collarbone region was the most commonly affected area (33.7%), followed by the upper extremities (26%) and the head and face (17%). Fractures were the most common diagnosis, accounting for 52%.
About one-quarter of those injured (24.5%) had to be transported by helicopter. The calculated injury rate was 4 injuries per 1,000 visits or 6 injuries per 10,000 rides.
Conclusion: Injuries in bike parks predominantly affect men and occur more frequently on weekends. Falls during downhill rides are the main cause, with fractures and injuries to the shoulder region being the most common. These results underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies and optimized emergency medical services to improve safety in bike parks.