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.

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:

• The number of deaths and death rate for child ATV riders increased 24%, while the number of child bicycle deaths declined 18% and the death rate decreased 17% - see Figure A and methodology.
  
  
• Meanwhile, the total economic costs related to the youthful ATV deaths increased 45% over the 5-year period (from $673 million to $973 million) while costs decreased 5% for the young bicycle riders ($776 million to $738 million) – see Figure E and methodology.
  
  
• Medical costs related to child ATV deaths increased nearly 70% while medical costs related to child bicycle deaths decreased 20% - see Figure D and methodology.
  
  
• Quality of life costs related to child ATV deaths increased by 44% while quality of life costs related to child bicycle deaths decreased by 4% - see Figure B and methodology.
  
  
• Costs due to work loss from child ATV deaths increased by 46% while work loss costs related to child bicycle deaths decreased by approximately 6% - see Figure C and methodology.

Ages of Patients	Under 16	Under 16
Hospitalization Rate	+67%	-12%
Number of Children Sent to Hospital	+70%	-12%
Medical Costs Associated with child ATV accidents	+196%	-32%
Avg. Cost for Child Being Sent to Hospital	$19,706	$13,713
Change in Number of Deaths	+24%	-18%
Change in Death Rate	+24%	-17%
Change in Total Economic Costs Related to Deaths	+45%	-5%
Change in Medical Costs Related to Deaths	+70%	-20%
Change in Quality of Life Costs Related to Deaths	+44%	-4%
Change in Work Loss Costs Related to Deaths	+46%	-6%

*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