Are Brakes a Luxury? Unstoppable 'Fixie' Bikes... Fracture Alert for Adolescents

Sharp Rise in Bicycle Accidents Among Adolescents
Special Caution Needed for Fractures in Growing Youth

According to the "2024 Bicycle Usage Status" announced last month by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, there were 5,571 bicycle traffic accidents, an increase of 425 cases or 8.3% compared to last year's 5,146 cases.

The number of fatalities from bicycle traffic accidents also saw a significant increase, reaching 75. Notably, accidents involving adolescents aged 20 and under surged from 1,077 to 1,620, marking the largest increase among all age groups.

Recently, as "fixie bikes" with removed braking devices have become popular among adolescents through social media and other channels, concerns are rising over the risk of serious, life-threatening accidents.

Extremely Dangerous 'Fixie Bikes,' Warning for Adolescents on 'Clavicle Fractures.' Provided by Clipart Korea (Not related to the report)

Fixie bikes have the rear wheel and pedals directly connected, reducing the overall weight and allowing for a greater sense of speed. However, accidents are increasing due to the dangerous behaviors of some users, such as removing brakes for the sake of speed or filming videos while performing stunts on roadways, disregarding safety.

According to statistics from a university hospital's 2018 survey of bicycle accident patients, the largest number of patients were between 11 and 20 years old, and male patients outnumbered females by about three to one. The most common injury site was the forearm, followed by the shoulder, foot/ankle, and wrist/hand.

Fractures are the most common injury in bicycle accidents. With personal mobility devices like fixie bikes and electric scooters, which are difficult to brake, fractures often occur when riders fall and use their hands to break the fall during sudden stops or jumps, resulting in strong impact to the arms or shoulders.

The clavicle, located below the neck at the front of the shoulder, is a long S-shaped bone that secures the arm to the torso. A clavicle fracture refers to a break or crack in this bone, usually caused by a significant external impact. Clavicle fractures typically involve minimal surrounding tissue damage and are mostly simple fractures, accounting for about 2-5% of all fracture patients. In rare cases, an open fracture may occur, where bone fragments protrude through the skin, or complications may arise if large nerves or blood vessels leading to the shoulder are injured, so caution is required.

Clavicle fractures occur when external force or trauma is transmitted to the arm, shoulder, or chest. When a fracture happens, pain occurs with every movement of the arm and persists even at rest over time. Swelling, bruising, or protrusion of the bone may appear in the clavicle area, and in severe cases, nerve paralysis in the arm or circulatory problems due to vascular compression may also occur.

To diagnose a clavicle fracture, a specialist first checks the range of arm movement, pain level, and swelling, then uses an X-ray to determine the location and extent of the break. Depending on the condition, a CT scan or MRI may be performed to assess whether the fracture is comminuted and to evaluate muscle, soft tissue, or nerve damage, as well as to plan for surgery if needed.

In the case of a simple fracture, the arm is immobilized with a figure-eight bandage for about 6 to 8 weeks to allow the bone to heal in its original position. If nerve or vascular damage is present, or if the fracture is comminuted or open, surgical treatment is required. Most cases are treated with bandage immobilization, and after about six months of treatment and rehabilitation, the fracture site fully heals. However, if the bone fails to heal properly or deformity occurs, causing discomfort in daily life, additional treatment or surgery may be considered.

Park Jisoo, Director of the Joint and Spine Center at Ulsan Elijah Hospital (Orthopedic Specialist), advised, "It is important to remember that bicycles, which are mainly used to maintain health, can lead to serious accidents if safety is neglected for a moment of enjoyment. Modifying bicycles illegally not only endangers your own life but also the lives of others, so always follow safety regulations."

He also emphasized, "Many people dismiss minor pain after falling off a bicycle as insignificant, but fractures are not always visible on the surface, and the causes of pain can be varied. Therefore, after an accident or a fall, it is essential to visit a hospital for an accurate diagnosis to prevent more serious aftereffects."

When using a bicycle, always wear a helmet, do not ride on sidewalks or crosswalks, and follow right-side traffic and road regulations as you would with a car.

Use the far right edge of the road or designated bike lanes, and keep your speed below 15 km/h on pedestrian-shared paths. Check your lights in advance for nighttime riding, and develop a habit of regularly maintaining your bicycle. Always dismount and walk your bicycle across crosswalks, and never ride under the influence of alcohol or with more passengers than allowed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.