Trajectory Analysis for Collisions Involving Bicycles and Automobiles

Determining the impact velocity of a striking vehicle in a bicycle-involved collision is arguably the most difficult part of preparing an analysis or reconstruction of such an event. To help the accident reconstructionist in this effort, a series of crash tests were conducted to relate the impact velocity of the striking vehicle to the throw distance for the cyclist.

This series of tests was conducted using a 1984 four-door Toyota Corolla and an articulated dummy astride a group of similar bicycles. The dummy/bicycle arrangement was struck at velocities ranging from 16 to 27 mph (25 to 43 km/h^D3) relative to the cyclist.