Top 12 Most Common Cycling Injuries & Claim Advice

Cycling offers freedom, fitness, and convenience, but it also carries real risks. Every year thousands of cyclists in the UK suffer injuries ranging from minor cuts to life-changing trauma. Knowing the most common cycling injuries can help you recognise symptoms early, take steps to recover, and understand when a legal claim may be possible. We'll look at the negative health impact of chronic injuries, the cost of a seemingly innocuous common injury and everything from hip pain and muscle pain to impact injuries and head injury. This guide covers the 12 injuries amateur cyclists most often face, their causes, treatment, and the circumstances where compensation may be available. 

1. Head Injuries & Concussions

Head injuries are the most serious risk cyclists face. They range from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries, often requiring hospital care. Even a seemingly minor knock can cause dizziness, headaches, or memory issues that develop hours later.

Causes: Collisions with vehicles, falls over handlebars, or being thrown sideways from impact.

Treatment: Immediate medical assessment is essential. Rest, observation, and in severe cases, scans or surgery may be required. Helmets can reduce some injuries but don’t prevent all.

Claims: Head injuries often lead to significant cycling accident claims due to long recovery times, lost earnings, and ongoing rehabilitation. Courts assess both the physical and psychological impact, making specialist legal support vital.

Find out more about our cycling head injury claim process. 

2. Fractured Collarbone

A broken collarbone is one of the most common cycling injuries. The instinct to stretch out an arm during a fall often transfers the full force of impact to the shoulder.

Causes: Falls onto the side, collisions with vehicles, or being thrown from the bike at speed.

Treatment: Typically managed with a sling and rest. Surgery may be required if the bone is displaced. Recovery usually takes 6–12 weeks.

Claims: Collarbone fractures are a cycling injury that often result in time off work and lasting discomfort. They are frequently included in cycling accident compensation claims, particularly where negligence by another road user caused the fall.

3. Wrist & Hand Fractures

Cyclists instinctively brace with their hands during a fall, making wrist and hand fractures common. Breaks to the scaphoid or radius can be slow to heal.

Causes: Falls over the handlebars, side-impact collisions, sudden stops.

Treatment: Splints or casts; surgery in severe cases. Full recovery may take months.

Claims: These injuries often interfere with daily activities and work, forming part of many bicycle accident compensation cases.

4. Dental & Facial Injuries

Falls and collisions can lead to broken teeth, jaw fractures, or facial scarring. Even minor dental injuries can be painful and expensive to fix.

Causes: Face-first impacts, striking the handlebars, or road contact.

Treatment: Dental repair, reconstructive surgery, scar management.

Claims: Compensation may cover treatment costs and cosmetic impact, especially where appearance or speech is affected.

5. Road Rash & Skin Abrasions

Sliding across tarmac can remove layers of skin, leaving painful abrasions and scarring known as road rash. Though rarely life-threatening, the risk of infection is high.

Causes: Falls at speed, skidding on corners, being thrown from the bike.

Treatment: Cleaning wounds, antibiotics, dressings, sometimes skin grafts.

Claims: While less severe than fractures, road rash is included in cycling accident claims where negligence is proven, if the scarring is permanent.

6. Knee Injuries

The knee absorbs significant force in cycling accidents. Injuries range from ligament tears to dislocations and long-term joint problems.

Causes: Side impacts, twisting falls, or collisions with vehicles.

Treatment: Physiotherapy, braces, or surgery depending on severity.

Claims: Knee pain can restrict mobility and work, often increasing the value of a cycling accident compensation claim. This is especially true if a knee replacement is needed. 

7. Spinal Injuries

From slipped discs to fractured vertebrae, spinal injuries are among the most serious outcomes of a crash. Even minor fractures can cause months of pain.

Causes: High-impact collisions or falls onto the back.

Treatment: Rest, physiotherapy, pain management, surgery in severe cases.
Claims: These injuries are complex and costly, requiring specialist evidence in road traffic accident claims.

8. Shoulder Injuries

The shoulder is vulnerable in falls, with dislocations and rotator cuff tears common. These often limit arm movement for weeks or months.

Causes: Direct impact on the shoulder, bracing with an outstretched arm.

Treatment: Reduction for dislocations, physiotherapy, or surgery.

Claims: Shoulder injuries frequently feature in cycle accident claim cases, especially when recovery affects work or daily living.

9. Elbow & Arm Injuries

Falls often lead to fractures around the elbow or upper arm. Ligament strains and deep cuts are also common.

Causes: Landing directly on the arm or elbow during a crash.

Treatment: Casts, physiotherapy, and in severe cases, surgery.

Claims: Elbow injuries can limit strength and movement, often forming part of a bicycle accident claim.

10. Soft-Tissue Injuries

Bruises, sprains, and muscle strains may seem minor but can linger for weeks. They are often underestimated in their impact.

Causes: Low-speed crashes, sudden jolts, or twisting falls.

Treatment: Rest, ice, compression, physiotherapy.

Claims: Even soft-tissue damage can justify an injury compensation claim if it causes time off work or lasting pain.

11. Psychological Trauma

Accidents don’t just harm the body. PTSD, anxiety, and loss of cycling confidence are common, especially after severe crashes.

Causes: Collisions with vehicles, fatal accidents witnessed, or repeated crashes.

Treatment: Counselling, CBT, medication.

Claims: Mental health is increasingly recognised in personal injury claims, often alongside physical injuries. A traumatic injury can lead to time off work which you may be compensated for. 

Learn more about the hidden psychological impact of cycling accidents.

12. Fatal Cycling Accidents

The most tragic outcome. Families face devastating loss and financial hardship when a cyclist dies due to another’s negligence.

Causes: High-speed collisions, HGV incidents, dangerous road layouts.

Treatment: Not applicable.

Claims: Families may pursue cycling accident compensation claims for financial support and justice after a cyclist death.

Learn how these injuries affect compensation in our full guide to Cycling Accident Injuries and Claims.