FACTS ABOUT ATVs VS. BIKES
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Thinking about ‘upgrading’ from a bicycle to an
ATV for your child? ATVs are not toys.
THE FOLLOWING NEW DATA
COMPARES THE TRENDS AND FINANCIAL COSTS TO SOCIETY OF CHILD ATV AND
BICYCLE FATALITIES NATIONWIDE BETWEEN 2000 & 2004*.
Although the U.S. ATV industry asserts that voluntary safety standards
have worked and should be made mandatory for all ATV makers, the following
findings - for the first time - directly refute that claim. This data
clearly shows that the dangers of ATVs are increasing significantly while
the risks of bike riding are declining.

Key Findings – Hospitalization Rate & Number
of Injuries
The National Sporting Goods Association estimates that 14.2 million children
ages 7 to 17 ride bicycles in the United States, while the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says there are about 2.2 million ATV
riders under the age of 16. Even though roughly seven times as many children
ride bikes:
- The hospitalization rate for children under 16 in ATV
accidents increased 67% over from 2000 to 2004,
while the hospitalization rate for children in bicycle accidents
decreased 12%.
- Similarly, the number of children sent
to the hospital because of an ATV accident increased 70% during
this same time period, while the number of children sent to
the hospital because of a bicycle accident went down 12%.
- The medical costs associated with child
ATV accidents increased 196% over the five year
period to $71 million in 2004, while the medical costs for child
bicycle accidents went up 32% to $92 million in 2004.
- The average cost of a child being sent to the hospital from an ATV accident
is 44% higher than for bicycles -
$19,706 in 2004 for ATVs compared to $13,713 for bicycles.
Additional data compiled and analyzed by Dr. Helmkamp determined the following:
- In the United States, it is estimated that among children (15 and
under) 6 were admitted to hospitals each day in 2000 for
ATV-related injuries increasing to 10 per day in 2004.
- Among
adults (16 or older) these figures were 17 per day in 2000 and 32 per
day in 2004.
CHILD INJURIES & ASSOCIATED COSTS 2000 – 2004
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATVs) VS. BICYCLES |
2000 - 2004 |
ATV
|
BICYCLE
|
Estimated Number of Child Riders |
2.2 million (under 16)* |
14.2 million (7 to 17)* |
% Change in Hospitalization Rate |
+ 67% |
- 12% |
% Change in Number of Hospitalizations |
+ 70% |
- 12% |
% Change in Hospitalization Costs |
+ 196% |
+ 32% |
Average Medical Bill |
$19,706 |
$13,713 |
*Source: Consumer Product
Safety Commission, 2002 & National Sporting Goods Association,
2006 |

Preliminary Findings – Child ATV Fatalities
From 2000-2004, an average of 171 children under 16 died annually in
ATV crashes compared to 157 from bicycle crashes. During this 5-year
period:





*Dr. Jim Helmkamp, PhD, MS (West Virginia University): Death and Injury Resulting from ATV and Bicycle Crashes: A 5-year Comparison of National Prevalence and Cost Estimates among Children and Adults. October 2007 Final Report
METHODOLOGY | PAST STUDIES
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