Biking, Rollerblading, and Skateboarding Safety

What is bicycle, rollerblading, and skateboarding safety?

People of all ages enjoy rollerblading, skateboarding, and bike riding. These activities are great forms of exercise, but they are not without the risk of injury. In order to prevent injury in these recreational activities there are some important rules that one must follow.

What are some common injuries?

Common injuries from bike riding, rollerblading, and skateboarding are:

• concussions
• broken collarbones (clavicle)
• wrist fracture
• leg fracture
• arm fracture
• cuts and scrapes
• sprained ankles

What are some common safety equipment you should use?

For all three activities you should always wear a helmet. Helmets are the most important safety precaution for biking, rollerblading, and skateboarding. Make sure it fits correctly,

To help reduce cuts and scrapes from falls while rollerblading and skateboarding you should also wear knee pads, elbow pads, and hand guards.

What are common safety rules to observe?

For biking:

• If you are riding on the road or highway, always ride on the same side of the road as traffic.

For rollerblading:

• Watch out for pedestrians on walking paths and trails.
• Use caution if the path is wet or if it is raining. Slick trails make it easy for a skate to slide out and cause a fall.
• Be careful if there is dirt or gravel on the trail. It can cause you to slip.

For skateboarding:

• If you are skateboarding in a terrain park make sure to inspect the all the jumps and other equipment before you do any stunts.

What can I do to prevent an injury?

• Always wear a helmet. It is the best way to prevent injuries.
• Follow the rules of the road. Obey traffic lights and signs. Stay on the correct side of the road.
• Avoid pedestrians.
• Never bike, rollerblade, or skateboard out of control. Stay within your comfort level.
• Don't take unnecessary risks.

What happens if I get injured?

When an injury happens you should:

• Clean any cut right away to cut down risk of infection.
• Put ice on bumps or bruises to limit swelling.

Minor injuries may only need rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. If it is a serious injury, you may need to go to the emergency room. You may need x-rays to see if a bone is broken.

When can I return to biking, rollerblading, and skateboarding after an injury?

How soon you can return to your activity depends on how severe the injury is. For serious injuries, you should never return to activity until your healthcare provider says it is OK. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury.