Analysis of Crash Reports for Recumbent Bicycles and Tricycles

A survey collected 130 crash reports from riders of recumbent bicycles and tricycles, using questions and response categories consistent with data available for bicycle-associated injuries from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. From the results, it appears that recumbents and traditional bicycles are generally subject to the same crash contributory factors – primarily road conditions, rider behavior, and conflict with motor vehicles. Crashes with recumbent tricycles were more likely to involve riding on streets and conflicts with motor vehicles than for recumbent 2-wheelers. Comparison with data from an exposure survey suggest that 3-wheel recumbents may have considerably lower crash risk than 2-wheel recumbents.