This single centre study was a prospective analysis from 2000 to 2008, aiming to explore and characterise the incidence and management of orthopaedic injuries sustained from motorcycle-related accidents in children under 16 years of age in Far North Queensland. In addition, it aimed to recognise factors contributing to crash occurrence, injury pattern and severity.

Prospective survey data has been collected for the past eight years looking at various aspects of non-fatal motorcycle injuries in children up to the age of 16 years who present to Cairns Base Hospital. The study incorporated a simple 12-point questionnaire that was completed upon the child's first presentation to the hospital in either an in- or out-patient clinical setting. The aspects addressed by the survey included: number of accidents, use of safety gear, experience level, injury and management, and cause of the accident. Little research has been conducted on characterising the nature and occurrence of off-road motorcycle accidents in children and adolescents.

A total of 238 children were admitted to Cairns Base Hospital with injuries related to motorcycle accidents. The results of 210 children who sustained orthopaedic injuries are presented. Motorcycle accidents involving children were responsible for over 340 presentations to the Emergency department and for a total of more than 500 hospital bed-days upon admission.

The majority of accidents occurred off-road with over 40% on public property. An average of 11% of riders was female.

This study gives evidence that off-road motorcycle accidents in children are the result of inexperience, utilise a significant proportion of our orthopaedic resources, and that programs and policies directed at reducing the number of injuries from off-road motorcycle riding need implementation.