Many Connecticut bikers do not associate cycling with brain injuries. Yet this form of exercise is responsible for a vast number of brain injuries each year. Bikers need to be aware of the dangers, as well as the safety precautions they can take, that come with participating in this sport on a regular basis.
Bikes are increasingly used for two purposes, recreation and transportation. The Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute at Brookhaven Hospital says that not enough bikers emphasize safety. A large number of cities do not have dedicated bike lanes and helmets are often seen as unnecessary. These two measures can greatly decrease a biker’s chance of incurring a brain injury. In 2009, people received 447,000 brain injuries from athletic activities. Eight-six thousand were incurred by bikers, and children experienced 40,000.
Despite the prevalence of these injuries, doctors say that the effect of concussions on cyclists depends on the amount and frequency of them. According to Bicycling magazine, discussions concerning the administration of cognitive tests and other measures should be brought up with doctors prior to a racing season if competing cyclists have experienced a concussion before. However, a researcher at a neurotrauma lab says that bikers who sustain a concussion often experience few consequences and usually heal entirely with time.
There are steps that bikers can take to ensure they reduce their chances of being hurt on the road. One of these is to always wear a helmet, as this can help prevent concussions. For extra protection, serious bikers may want a helmet designed specifically to cushion their head if they are in a collision.
