In Austin, it’s not uncommon to see cyclists whizzing past you on any given road at any given time of day. While biking is a great form of exercise, there are some risks associated with this popular pastime, especially for adults.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that injuries among adult cyclists have risen steadily since 1998, with the largest increase among adults over 45 years old.
Data was collected from 1998 to 2013 from approximately 100 emergency rooms nationwide via the National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems. Highlights include:
- Bike injuries increased by 28% while hospitalizations from bike injuries increased 120%
- The rate of hospitalizations among people over 45 grew from 39% to 65%
- Cyclists’ arms and legs were injured most often, with head injuries increasing from 10% to 16%
This rise in injuries is due to a few reasons: More cyclists on the road and more are traveling in urban areas, which tend to have traffic congestion and other road dangers.
Here are a few reminders to keep you safe, no matter what your age:
- Ride with a partner or cycling group – there are safety in numbers.
- Obey all traffic signals and weather warnings, and plan your travel route before hitting the road.
- Wear a properly fitting helmet and shoes, as well as reflective gear in the early morning or evening hours.
(Adapted from CNN.comhttp://www.cnn.com/)
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