Weekly Rehab Minute: Bike Safety

Bicycling is a wonderful past-time enjoyed by many, for fitness, competition, transportation, and recreational fun. To help avoid injuries or accidents, make sure you:

• Wear a helmet. A report by the Federal Highway Administration states that bicycle helmets are 85-88% effective in reducing head and brain injuries.
• Wear light-colored or reflective clothing and fit your bike with reflectors, especially when riding at night
• Follow all traffic rules and be aware of your surroundings
• Stretch after taking a ride to avoid strains or sprains
• Don't start out fast -begin with shorter bike rides and allow your body to work up to longer periods and more demanding routes
• Be sure to have proper posture - when your foot is in the down position while pedaling, your knee should be slightly bent
• Wear cycling gloves to avoid nerve injuries
• Take plenty of rest breaks and drink water

Since bicycling is a repetitive activity, it can cause overuse injuries. Contact us if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Pain for more than 24 hours in your neck, back, hands, knees, feet, or buttocks
• If you have gotten into an accident
• If you have fallen and hit your head
• If you have any suspicion of a strain or sprain

CALL US FOR A FREE INJURY SCREEN IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Pain for more than 24 hours and icing does not help 
• If you have fallen
• If you have any suspicion that you have strained or sprained a body part