Numerical simulation of cyclist injuries in vehicle to electric-bicycle collision

To study the relationship between the vehicle speed and the cyclist injuries, simulation collisions of vehicle to electric-bicycle were performed using PC-Crash. The collisions were classified into rear-end collision, 45-degree head on collision, side collision with stopped electric-bicycle and moving electric-bicycle. Based on the collision procedure and the kinematics response of the cyclist in simulations, the cyclist injuries, contact locations between the cyclist head and the vehicle were thus analyzed. The empirical formula regarding the impact speed of the vehicle and the head impact speed has been set up. Focusing on the cyclist injuries of different impact velocities and collision conditions, we found out the threshold values, from which high cyclist injuries of head, chest, pelvis and tibia are expected. The results of this study significantly contribute to accident reconstruction, traffic safety management and vehicle design.