Cycling is a great, low-cost and low-impact way to stay fit. Just looking around the Northern Virginia / DC / Maryland environment, and you notice that it is very cyclist friendly. (Paved roads have an extra lane for cyclists, there are designated "biking" trails all throughout the cityscape, there are even bicycle tours that allow a group of people to tour our Nations' Capitol.)But it isn't without the risk of pain and serious injury. Just like any other sport or athletic hobby, improper fitting of the cycling equipment or poor riding technique can greatly enhance the cause of an injury. The list of cycling injuries is huge! Cycling can cause a love/hate relationship, here is a list of the most common types of injuries associated with cycling:
List of common injuries:
- Knee Pain
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Muscle cramps
- Sprains and Strains
- Achilles Tendonitis
Here are the best practices that a cyclist should take in order to prevent injuries:
| Item: | Description | Cost: |
|---|---|---|
 | Footwear = Properly fitted shoes are important in avoiding plantar fascitis and to minimize the discomfort associated with biking. There are specific cycling shoes that snap onto the pedals of your bike, forcing the foot to stay firmly attached to the pedal, allowing the biker to stay in full control. | Ranges from $40-$150 dollars (the cleats pictured will set you back $312 dollars) |
 | Bicycle seat = The best tip is to make sure your riding saddle fits your body and is positioned properly. Improper sizing can cause prostate problems (men) and urinary track infections (women). | Fairly inexpensive, ranges from $20-$50 dollars |
 | Helmet = Having and wearing a helmet is imperative for preventing concussions or other head injuries. Over 90% of all fatalities involves a cyclist who rode without a helmet. | $25-$200 dollars |
 | Bicycles = most bicycles are mass produced to be comfortable for the large majority of the population. (It is recommended that each bicycle undergoes minor adjustments to perfectly fit it to your physical standards.) Next to the helment, adjusting your bicycle is one of the most important ways to prevent these riding injuries. | $150-$1000+ |
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