D
Dizbin
Guest
Can't see what you're getting at here Mike.
If it's that mountain biking is dangerous then yes - most people know
that, so are a lot of sports.
If it's that if more people go out biking they'll be more accidents -
well, that's a matter of maths - I could've told you that without
needing a Ph.d (although to be fair I guess that's not one of your
strong points),
Is it that people should wear helmets - well, yep I agree.
I'm beginning to get worried here ... come on - you can do better than this.
(although I am getting a bit concerned about that piano wire).
Mike Vandeman wrote:
> Boom sport's mounting injury toll
>
> JEREMY WATSON ( [email protected])
>
> IT IS one of the fastest-growing sports in Scotland, but it is now
> emerging as one of the most dangerous.
>
> A dramatic rise in the number of serious mountain bike accidents has
> sparked two safety reviews involving accident and emergency doctors
> and the Forestry Commission.
>
> At one hospital alone, at least 10 casualties are treated every
> weekend as a result of cycling enthusiasts - many inexperienced -
> losing control and crashing into trees or rocks.
>
> Scotland has become one of the world's top mountain biking
> destinations and it is estimated that tens of thousands take part in
> the sport every week.
>
> But the Forestry Commission has ordered an inquiry after the upsurge
> in accidents at its Scottish properties. At the same time, doctors in
> Fort William, where the mountain bike World Cup will be held later
> this month, are carrying out an investigation into the rise in
> injuries.
>
> Borders General Hospital - close to the commission's downhill resort
> at Glentress near Peebles - says it is now dealing with more than 10
> mountain-bike-related casualties every weekend.
>
> Injuries range from serious lacerations to major fractures and head
> and spinal injuries. Last month, a 45-year-old GP from Jedburgh broke
> his neck when he went over the handlebars of his bike at Glentress.
>
> A similar pattern has also emerged at Belford Hospital, near Fort
> William. A spokeswoman said: "Staff have noticed they are getting more
> and more mountain-bike-related injuries. As a result they have taken
> someone on to conduct an audit of outdoor sports injuries."
>
> Mountain biking has emerged from a minority pursuit into one of
> Britain's fastest-growing outdoor adventure sports. Tourism agency
> VisitScotland estimates that more than a million mountain bike
> excursions are now taken every year in Scotland.
>
> The commission has seven sites - called the Seven Stanes - in southern
> Scotland, but has also opened trails at Aonach Mor near Fort William,
> Laggan near Aviemore, Fochabers in Morayshire and the Black Isle.
>
> Safety campaigners say mountain bikers should be compelled to wear
> helmets and undertake basic safety training before being allowed to
> tackle potentially dangerous runs.
>
> Scottish Cycling, the body that promotes the sport in Scotland, said
> the rising number of injuries was a "great concern".
>
> Spokesman Colin Renton said: "Greater numbers of people are getting
> involved in mountain biking with very different skill levels.
>
> "If you are a beginner skier you wouldn't tackle a black run. The
> basics should be taught before people are allowed on serious mountain
> biking tracks."
>
> The safety review is being undertaken by John Ireland, a commission
> official involved in mountain bike trail construction for more than 20
> years.
>
> He will research whether sufficient safety information is being given
> to cyclists before they set out, and whether trails could be
> constructed or managed in a better way.
>
> Cycling expert Richard Moore is concerned about how easy it is for
> inexperienced riders to take on difficult runs.
>
> "The problem is that anyone can go and use the tracks, and you still
> see people going down them without proper helmets or proper bikes," he
> said. "There is no restriction on anyone using these trails."
>
> Paul Taylor, a married father with two daughters, had only been
> mountain biking on downhill trails for three months when he attempted
> a jump and fell and broke his back. The 35-year-old former distillery
> worker from Carron, near Aberlour, is now paralysed from the chest
> down after the accident on a Forestry Commission run near Fochabers
> last year.
>
> Taylor, who had to be airlifted off the hill to hospital, said riders
> should be forced to wear proper protective gear and be given more
> explicit warnings on the potential risks.
>
> He said: "I was used to riding mountain bikes on trails, but not
> taking on big jumps and purpose-built drops.
>
> "I tried to make it as safe for myself as I could by wearing a proper
> cross-country safety helmet - ordinary cycle helmets won't do. But
> when I came off, my head was OK but I injured my spine.
>
> "Of course, it was my decision to take the jump, but there should be
> more warning signs and an escape route if you change your mind at the
> last minute."
>
> In setting up mountain biking centres in the Borders, Dumfries and
> Galloway and the Highlands, the commission has played a central part
> in turning Scotland into one of the top five locations in the world
> for mountain biking.
>
> Its Glentress Forest and Innerleithen sites, near Peebles, are now
> Britain's number-one destination for the sport, with visitor numbers
> doubling from 160,000 in 2003 to 330,000 last year. Across Scotland,
> more than 20,000 riders take part in the sport every week.
>
> An A&E source at Borders General Hospital confirmed there had been
> growing numbers of mountain bike accidents in the last two years,
> mainly from Glentress and Innerleithen. "Before then we used to mainly
> get mountain bike injuries during the summer, but now it is right
> through the year," she said.
>
> "People are wearing helmets, but even this is not giving them enough
> protection when they are hurtling down a track."
>
> The commission believes the rise in accidents reflects the phenomenal
> growth in popularity of the sport, but it wants to make sure its
> safety precautions are as good as possible.
>
> Alan Stevenson, head of recreation, said: "The review will build up
> our understanding of good practice and identify any weaknesses in the
> system."
>
> Information leaflets ask riders to make sure they have proper helmets
> and appropriately maintained bikes, and are experienced enough to
> tackle the trails. "Trail-head signage is also very important, but the
> problem is that many people don't read it," Stevenson said.
>
> However, the commission is not in a position to compel riders to
> comply with safety measures, he insisted.
>
> "But if the review suggests there are improvements to be made, we will
> take action on it."
>
> This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=684892006
> ===
> I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
> humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
> years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)
>
> Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you are fond of!
>
> http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande
If it's that mountain biking is dangerous then yes - most people know
that, so are a lot of sports.
If it's that if more people go out biking they'll be more accidents -
well, that's a matter of maths - I could've told you that without
needing a Ph.d (although to be fair I guess that's not one of your
strong points),
Is it that people should wear helmets - well, yep I agree.
I'm beginning to get worried here ... come on - you can do better than this.
(although I am getting a bit concerned about that piano wire).
Mike Vandeman wrote:
> Boom sport's mounting injury toll
>
> JEREMY WATSON ( [email protected])
>
> IT IS one of the fastest-growing sports in Scotland, but it is now
> emerging as one of the most dangerous.
>
> A dramatic rise in the number of serious mountain bike accidents has
> sparked two safety reviews involving accident and emergency doctors
> and the Forestry Commission.
>
> At one hospital alone, at least 10 casualties are treated every
> weekend as a result of cycling enthusiasts - many inexperienced -
> losing control and crashing into trees or rocks.
>
> Scotland has become one of the world's top mountain biking
> destinations and it is estimated that tens of thousands take part in
> the sport every week.
>
> But the Forestry Commission has ordered an inquiry after the upsurge
> in accidents at its Scottish properties. At the same time, doctors in
> Fort William, where the mountain bike World Cup will be held later
> this month, are carrying out an investigation into the rise in
> injuries.
>
> Borders General Hospital - close to the commission's downhill resort
> at Glentress near Peebles - says it is now dealing with more than 10
> mountain-bike-related casualties every weekend.
>
> Injuries range from serious lacerations to major fractures and head
> and spinal injuries. Last month, a 45-year-old GP from Jedburgh broke
> his neck when he went over the handlebars of his bike at Glentress.
>
> A similar pattern has also emerged at Belford Hospital, near Fort
> William. A spokeswoman said: "Staff have noticed they are getting more
> and more mountain-bike-related injuries. As a result they have taken
> someone on to conduct an audit of outdoor sports injuries."
>
> Mountain biking has emerged from a minority pursuit into one of
> Britain's fastest-growing outdoor adventure sports. Tourism agency
> VisitScotland estimates that more than a million mountain bike
> excursions are now taken every year in Scotland.
>
> The commission has seven sites - called the Seven Stanes - in southern
> Scotland, but has also opened trails at Aonach Mor near Fort William,
> Laggan near Aviemore, Fochabers in Morayshire and the Black Isle.
>
> Safety campaigners say mountain bikers should be compelled to wear
> helmets and undertake basic safety training before being allowed to
> tackle potentially dangerous runs.
>
> Scottish Cycling, the body that promotes the sport in Scotland, said
> the rising number of injuries was a "great concern".
>
> Spokesman Colin Renton said: "Greater numbers of people are getting
> involved in mountain biking with very different skill levels.
>
> "If you are a beginner skier you wouldn't tackle a black run. The
> basics should be taught before people are allowed on serious mountain
> biking tracks."
>
> The safety review is being undertaken by John Ireland, a commission
> official involved in mountain bike trail construction for more than 20
> years.
>
> He will research whether sufficient safety information is being given
> to cyclists before they set out, and whether trails could be
> constructed or managed in a better way.
>
> Cycling expert Richard Moore is concerned about how easy it is for
> inexperienced riders to take on difficult runs.
>
> "The problem is that anyone can go and use the tracks, and you still
> see people going down them without proper helmets or proper bikes," he
> said. "There is no restriction on anyone using these trails."
>
> Paul Taylor, a married father with two daughters, had only been
> mountain biking on downhill trails for three months when he attempted
> a jump and fell and broke his back. The 35-year-old former distillery
> worker from Carron, near Aberlour, is now paralysed from the chest
> down after the accident on a Forestry Commission run near Fochabers
> last year.
>
> Taylor, who had to be airlifted off the hill to hospital, said riders
> should be forced to wear proper protective gear and be given more
> explicit warnings on the potential risks.
>
> He said: "I was used to riding mountain bikes on trails, but not
> taking on big jumps and purpose-built drops.
>
> "I tried to make it as safe for myself as I could by wearing a proper
> cross-country safety helmet - ordinary cycle helmets won't do. But
> when I came off, my head was OK but I injured my spine.
>
> "Of course, it was my decision to take the jump, but there should be
> more warning signs and an escape route if you change your mind at the
> last minute."
>
> In setting up mountain biking centres in the Borders, Dumfries and
> Galloway and the Highlands, the commission has played a central part
> in turning Scotland into one of the top five locations in the world
> for mountain biking.
>
> Its Glentress Forest and Innerleithen sites, near Peebles, are now
> Britain's number-one destination for the sport, with visitor numbers
> doubling from 160,000 in 2003 to 330,000 last year. Across Scotland,
> more than 20,000 riders take part in the sport every week.
>
> An A&E source at Borders General Hospital confirmed there had been
> growing numbers of mountain bike accidents in the last two years,
> mainly from Glentress and Innerleithen. "Before then we used to mainly
> get mountain bike injuries during the summer, but now it is right
> through the year," she said.
>
> "People are wearing helmets, but even this is not giving them enough
> protection when they are hurtling down a track."
>
> The commission believes the rise in accidents reflects the phenomenal
> growth in popularity of the sport, but it wants to make sure its
> safety precautions are as good as possible.
>
> Alan Stevenson, head of recreation, said: "The review will build up
> our understanding of good practice and identify any weaknesses in the
> system."
>
> Information leaflets ask riders to make sure they have proper helmets
> and appropriately maintained bikes, and are experienced enough to
> tackle the trails. "Trail-head signage is also very important, but the
> problem is that many people don't read it," Stevenson said.
>
> However, the commission is not in a position to compel riders to
> comply with safety measures, he insisted.
>
> "But if the review suggests there are improvements to be made, we will
> take action on it."
>
> This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=684892006
> ===
> I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
> humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
> years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)
>
> Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you are fond of!
>
> http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande
