Handlebar Grip Related Injury Prevention (GRIP) Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Handlebar Grip Related Injury Prevention (GRIP) Study: Are exposed metal handlebar ends a risk factor for injury? A multicentre observational case-controlled feasibility study: In children who ride bikes or scooters, is the risk of sustaining a serious injury greater when metal handlebar ends are exposed than when they are covered by intact grips?
IRAS ID
139699
Contact name
Andrew Neilson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Cycling injuries are the 3rd most common mechanism of injury in 7-13 year olds. Bicycle injuries have remained one of the commonest causes of paediatric abdominal trauma for over 60 years. 15% of child cyclist injuries involve impact with a handlebar; two-thirds of those are abdominal injuries. Handlebar impact is now the commonest mechanism of major paediatric abdominal injury. Serious handlebar injuries often occur after apparently minor falls; they are not unique to riders performing stunts.
One small study found that the metal handlebar ends were often exposed on bikes of children sustaining severe abdominal injuries. Most European safety standards do not test grip durability. Day-to-day use can damage rubber grips, exposing the underlying metal handlebar tube.
This feasibility study aims to test the research methods that will be used in a subsequent nationwide multicentre study. The main study will investigate the association between injuries and handlebar grip condition.
Children attending study hospitals with any bicycle or kick scooter injury will be invited to participate. Parents of injured children will be invited to complete questionnaires regarding circumstances surrounding the injury and condition of the handlebar ends on the bike or scooter involved. Clinical information regarding the injury will also be collected. The handlebar end condition will be compared between children sustaining a handlebar end injury [Cases] and riders whose injury did not involve the handlebar [Controls].
If exposed handlebar ends are more prevalent amongst riders with handlebar end injuries, injury prevention strategies can focus on methods to prevent damage occurring to grips through day-to-day use. If no such association is found, prevention strategies can be focused elsewhere, such as on design of effective protective clothing.
Data collection for this feasibility study will occur between March 2015 and September 2015.
The Chief Investigator, Mr. Andrew Neilson, funds the feasibility study.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0311
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion