Common cycling accidents

If you are a keen cyclist, then you will know the frustration and irritation an injury can cause and the time it can take to recover can be particularly difficult to deal with.

You may have taken up the sport because you loved it as a child, or because you have been advised that it is a low-impact activity that will keep you fit. Perhaps you are using it as a way to manage your weight, or as a cost-effective means of transport.

Whatever your reasons, it’s important to try and stay fit so you can continue to enjoy your bike. Of course accidents do happen, but being aware of the potential pitfalls may just help you to avoid them.

Pot holes

Holes in the road are the bane of many cyclists’ lives and CTC, the national cycling charity, estimates that the problem is widespread. It states that “there’s an average of one road defect for every 110 metres of road” and that means you are probably quite likely to be the victim of one at some point in your life.

If you have fallen foul of the country’s roads, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation, particularly if you experienced an injury as a result such as a jarred knee. It may go some way to easing your pain.

The CTC’s fillthathole.org campaign is worth getting involved in as you can report potholes which the relevant council is then duty-bound to repair.

Osteoarthritis of the knee

Spending a lot of time on your bike arguably increases the risk of you experiencing injury and you may be more likely to suffer from conditions such as osteoarthritis of the knee. It occurs when the joint cartilage gradually wears away, so the problem can become worse over time.

If you experience stiffness in your knee in the morning, have pain and a reduction in your range of movement, it may be advisable to seek a doctor’s advice.

Hamstring strain

Another condition that can occur due to a sudden increase in the amount of cycling you do is a hamstring strain.

This can be a painful and debilitating condition that can keep you off your bike for some time. If you think you are suffering you would do well to remember the acronym RICE which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Sports massages might also help to alleviate symptoms.

Abrasions

Road rash refers to the outer layers of the skin rubbing off which can be caused by a fall from your bike onto a hard surface. Sometimes these types of injuries are self-inflicted, if you lose balance on your bike for instance, but they can sometimes be someone else’s fault in which case you may want to consider seeking compensation.

Broken limbs

Breaking a leg can be disastrous if you are a keen cyclist, it can mean months in plaster and an equally long time getting back to full health with the help of physiotherapists. If your accident occurred as a result of negligence by another person, you may to think about making a bike accident claim.