Bike Safety for Older Adults

As we get older, aging can affect us in various ways. Our vision and hearing may not be as sharp as they once were, our reaction times may be slower, and we may not be as strong or energetic as when we were younger. All of these raise the risk of injury while riding a bike. It’s important to know your limitations, such as being too tired for a long ride, or not seeing clearly enough in low light to spot potential hazards.

In addition, cyclists often share the road with drivers who may be tired, distracted, in a hurry or just not checking their surroundings before they change lanes, make turns or open car doors.

As a trauma surgeon, Dr. Biffl sees all kinds of bicycle-related injuries in the ER. These include head injuries, disfiguring facial wounds, broken arms and legs, and rib fractures. Injuries related to electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are among the most serious.

“We are seeing some injuries that are more severe, and in some cases deadlier, than what we’ve seen with regular bicycles,” says Dr. Biffl. “The e-bikes are heavier, they go faster, they’re not as maneuverable. It's closer to what you see with a motorcycle crash than a regular bicycle crash.”

Dr. Biffl says a helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment for protecting our most important asset: our brain.

“The brain injuries are the most debilitating and lethal of all the injuries, so it’s critical to have a good fitting, high-quality helmet that is made for the speed you're going,” he says. “A helmet is just like a seatbelt. Before you get on a bike, you put it on.”

There are several types of helmets. Regular bicycle helmets are made to protect the head, while e-bike helmets are similar to motorcycle-grade helmets. Multi-sport helmets can be used for biking, skateboarding and other sports. Some helmets have additional safety features, such as flashing lights or integrated turn signals. Choose a helmet certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the ASTM; multi-sport helmets are often certified by both. Plus, be sure it fits well and is worn correctly.

What can older adults — and cyclists of all ages — do to lower their risk of bicycle-related injuries?

“Be predictable, signal your intentions,” says Colburn-Hargis. “Be prepared, make sure that you check your bike for safety before you go out for a ride. They call it an ABC check: air, brake, chain, and now with an e-bike, charge. Make sure your bike is fully charged. Make sure that you have practice on that bike and know how it handles.”

The following tips can help increase bicycle safety:

• Follow the rules of the road. The same rules that apply to cars also apply to bikes. Stop at stop signs and traffic lights. Signal before you change lanes or turn. 
• Make eye contact with drivers. Never assume they see you or know what you’re going to do.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic. Stay in the bike lane if there is one.
• Be aware of parked cars and try to avoid riding next to them. It can be difficult to see if someone is in the car and about to open the door. These collisions often cause some of the most severe head and facial injuries.
• Use caution when approaching driveways. Especially when backing up, many drivers rely on their backup cameras and don’t look for bicycles coming from the side.
• Ride in bike lanes whenever possible and avoid riding on the sidewalk. (In many cities, this is illegal.)
• Increase your visibility. Make yourself as noticeable as possible by wearing brightly colored clothing, wearing reflective tape and having flashing lights on your bike.

“We want people to get out and enjoy their bikes and stay fit, but also to be careful, because our capabilities do erode as we get older, and we have to compensate for that,” says Dr. Biffl.

“Just learn the skills that you need and practice,” adds Colburn-Hargis. “We’re here to help. You can check out our website, take a class, email us.”

Check out more information and resources about bicycle and e-bike safety.