Riding a bicycle can be a fun activity to do with friends and a great way to stay in shape but it can also be dangerous. Mountain biking is often considered an extreme sport and its danger is obvious but road biking can also be risky. The safety of cyclists is, for the most part, in the hands of motorists that are all to often ignorant of the rights that cyclists have on the road.
Accidents aside, cycling can present other physical dangers to its participants. Because of the intense physical strain, especially on the legs, that cyclists experience the risk of other sports injuries can also occur if proper care and technique is not exercised.
Listed below is a list of common bicycle injuries and a few tips to avoid them.
Head injuries
Concussion:
a concussion is perhaps the most common type of head injury. It is most typically caused by a blow to the head and is therefore more common among athletes, including cyclists. While the symptoms of a concussion can vary depending on the severity of the injury, all concussions will temporarily affect the way the brain works causing disruptions in a person’s memory, judgment, coordination and/or balance.
Brain contusion:
this, like the concussion, is a very common head injury among athletes. A brain contusion is, in simple terms, a bruise to the brain tissue. Because brain contusions involve structural brain damage there is a higher chance of prolonged health complications than with concussions.
Skull fracture:
when enough pressure is exerted on the skull to make it crack or fracture the soft brain tissue underneath is often damaged as well. Bleeding in the brain, blood clots, or pressure caused by the compressed or damaged skull may often result in long-term brain damage. Symptoms of a skull fracture include bruising behind the ears, confusion, convulsions, prolonged headaches, slurred speech, and vomiting.
While any type of brain injury could occur while riding a bicycle, by wearing a helmet a rider adds an extra layer of protection and greatly reduces the risk of an accident damaging the brain. Following bicycle laws and paying attention to traffic can also help a cyclist to avoid head injuries.
Leg injuries
Chondromalacia:
in young athletes this condition is most commonly caused by trauma, overuse, poor joint alignment or muscle imbalance. The condition involves the softening and deterioration of the underside of the kneecap which leads to sore and weak knees. The dull pain around or under the kneecap is most often felt when walking up or down stairs or hills.
 Achilles Tendonitis:
it is a painful injury of the tendon in the back of the ankle. This is a chronic injury that generally develops through overuse. It develops gradually over time until the pain is constant and too intense to allow continued exercise or other physical activities. If it is left untreated it can lead to an Achilles tendon rupture.
Piriformis Syndrome:
if certain muscles in the leg and buttocks become tight or cramped they can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause butt or leg pain. In cyclists this often is the result of riding over a long period of time on a low-end seat or with the seat at the wrong height.
These injuries are often developed over a long period of time and therefore can be avoided by stretching before and after and following a safe exercise routine. Drinking a lot of water while exercising and eating healthily will also keep the leg muscles strong enough to handle the physical strain of riding a bike.