Cycling season is once again upon us, with yesterday’s TD Five Boro Bike Tour, the country’s largest recreational biking event, sending 32,000 cyclists of all levels peddling over 40 miles of the Big Apple. According to a recent press release from APTA, more Americans ride bicycles than those who ski, golf or play tennis combined.
The warmer weather combined with more cyclists on the road is sure to result in a few injuries from overuse or impact. Here are a few tips on prevention and why your local physical therapist can help keep you moving, even before an injury occurs.
According to our own Dan Rootenberg, PT DPT, “Cyclists, roughly 580,000 Americans, visit the emergency room each year for injuries sustained while riding. It is common for private practice physical therapists to treat cycling injuries such as anterior knee pain, perineal pain, tendonitis and head injuries including concussion.”
APTA’s release states that “Seventy-five percent of fatal or serious cycling accidents occur at or near road intersections in urban areas, according to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety. Basic habits, including knowledge and use of appropriate hand signals and wearing of protective gear – helmet, knee pads, etc. – aid in prevention of trauma among children and adults alike, and save Americans an estimated $8 billion in health care costs per year.
PreventInjury.org recently cited that cyclists can enjoy a safe ride by checking the level of their seat, the position of their handle bars and the extension of their knees as well as maintaining good posture and stretching before and after a ride.”
Dan’s advice? Visit your local physical therapist. “During spring, local physical therapists strive to lower injury rates by providing preventive measures so cycling enthusiasts and their bikes are operating optimally and safely. Local physical therapy clinics are available to review the rules of the road and recommended biking methodologies to ensure fewer people become emergency room statistics.”
Stay safe on the roads, NYC!
