MTBO Injury database

MTBO Commission collects injury data from competitions to help athletes to become more aware of high risk situations, like map reading on wide roads at high speeds. It should also help organizers, course setters and event advisers to fine tune their approach to managing risk at MTBO events.

Report injuries

Report an injury here

Data protection: Personal data will not be published or shared outside the MTBO Commission. The name of the injured rider required only to avoid registering duplicates. The objective is to collect the information related to the accident. If you have questions about the database, please contact MTBO Commission

MTBO Injury Database Analysis (2012-2018)

Full report:

MTBO Injury Database Analysis 2012-18.pdf

Summary:

This is a short analysis of the MTBO competition injuries reported in the MTBO Injury Database. This analysis focuses on the accidents which happened between 2012 and 2018. This set of 45 reported injuries over 7 seasons suggests that some of the preconceptions on high risk MTBO situations are likely to be myths:

Preconception: Urban MTBO competitions are more dangerous.
Data: Only 1 of the 45 reported injuries happened in an urban setting.

Preconception: Injuries are caused by encountering traffic or loss of control.
Data: The most frequent cause is hitting objects, second is map reading.

Preconception: Highest risk is associated with two riders colliding on narrow paths.
Data: The most serious injuries happened with single riders on narrow paths, and with riders colliding on wide roads (typically while map reading).

Preconception: To reduce MTBO competition injuries organizers must do more.
Data: Most injuries are the responsibility of athletes. Most accident situations are not competition specific, but inherent to riding a bike on terrain, reading a map while riding, and lack of situational awareness on wide roads.

This data shall help athletes to become more aware of high risk situations, like map reading on wide roads at high speeds. It should also help organizers, course setters and event advisers to fine tune their approach to managing risk at MTBO events.