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MOUNTAIN biking is becoming so popular that inexperienced cyclists risk
serious, even lethal injury. This suggests off-road cyclists should be given
training and perhaps wear protective gear such as body armour.

In just 12 months, the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital admitted 84 patients to its
orthopaedic trauma unit with injuries from off-road mountain biking. Between
them, they had 133 injuries, ranging from soft tissue damage and minor fractures
to potentially life-threatening injuries.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not saying to get scared by these results. But there are serious
injuries that can occur,鈥� says Royal Shrewsbury researcher Lee Jeys.

The number and severity of injuries surprised Philip Ingham of the British
Cycling Federation. He believes that many people tackle tracks that are too
difficult, without proper coaching on the use of their bikes. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a dangerous
sport, just like rugby or even cricket,鈥� says Ingham.

Almost half the injuries were fractures, including collarbone, shoulder and
wrist fractures. Six cyclists had fractured legs. However, an 11-year-old also
had a serious head injury and in total, 4 of the 84 patients suffered
life-threatening injuries.

The vast majority of cyclists in this study were young male recreational
mountain bikers. The results raise questions about safety equipment and
coaching. 鈥淭here is an element of responsibility at the retailer level,鈥� says
Ingham. 鈥淩etailers should spend as much time providing instructions on how to
use a bike as a tailor spends custom-fitting an expensive suit.鈥�

The researchers are now testing the effectiveness of body armour, which is
used in competitive downhill racing, in recreational bikers.