A prospective cohort study on minor accidents involving commuter cyclists in Belgium

► Incidence rate of bicycle accidents is 0.896 (95% CI 0.686-1.106) per 1000 h of exposure. ► Only 7% of prospectively recorded bicycle accidents were reported in police statistics. ► Exposure must be taken into account when statements about safety measures are made. ► The 'safety in numbers' principle is also applicable for minor bicycle accidents. ► 'Slipping' and 'collision with a car' are the most cited causes of accident.