Cycling Concussions: What To Do

You’ve come off your bike. Maybe you hit your head on the tarmac. Maybe you clipped a kerb and jolted sideways. You didn’t pass out — but now you feel foggy, off balance, or just not quite right.

Could it be a concussion?

The short answer is yes. Concussions are common in cycling accidents, even when there’s no visible injury and no loss of consciousness. They can happen after collisions with vehicles, potholes, e-scooters, or even a solo fall.

The signs aren’t always obvious. Some symptoms appear straight away. Others take hours — sometimes days — to show up.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• What a concussion is

• How it can happen while cycling

• The most common symptoms to watch for

• What to do next if you think you’ve got one

• What your legal rights are if someone else caused the crash

If you’ve recently fallen or are feeling the after-effects of a crash, this article will help you understand what’s going on — and what to do about it.

1. Can Cycling Really Cause a Concussion?

Yes, it absolutely can — and it happens more often than most people realise.

Concussions occur when the brain is shaken inside the skull, usually from a sudden impact or jolt. That can happen even without direct contact with another vehicle. A slip on wet ground, hitting a pothole, or a sudden stop can all cause the head to whip forward and the brain to bounce against the inside of the skull.

You don’t need to be going fast. You don’t need to hit your head hard. And you don’t need to lose consciousness. Concussions are often caused by low-speed crashes or awkward falls that seem minor at the time.

Wearing a helmet does help. It can protect against skull fractures and reduce the force of an impact. But no helmet can completely prevent a concussion. That’s because most helmets don’t stop the brain moving inside the skull — especially in side-on or twisting collisions, which are common in cycling accidents.

So yes, if you’ve fallen or been in a crash, even a relatively light one, concussion is possible. If anything feels “off,” it’s worth paying attention.

2. What Is a Concussion — and What Are the Signs?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. It happens when a sudden movement causes the brain to shift and bounce inside the skull. This movement disrupts normal brain function — even if just temporarily — and can lead to a wide range of symptoms.

You don’t need to be knocked unconscious to have a concussion. In fact, most people who suffer one stay fully awake during and after the impact. That’s one reason it’s so often missed or dismissed.

Symptoms to watch for:

These can appear immediately or gradually over several hours:

Physical signs

• Headache or pressure in the head

• Dizziness or feeling unsteady

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Blurred or double vision

Cognitive and emotional signs

• Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly

• Feeling slowed down or foggy

• Memory issues — especially around the time of the crash

• Irritability, anxiety, or mood swings

• Sleep changes (trouble falling asleep or sleeping too much)

No two concussions are the same. You might have several of these symptoms, or just one that keeps getting worse. Some people feel mostly tired or emotionally flat — not what you’d typically expect after a head injury.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to how you’re feeling in the hours and days after a crash. If something feels different, trust that instinct.

3. What If I Felt Fine at First — But Not Now?

This is one of the most common scenarios we hear from injured cyclists. You fall, hit your head, sit up, and feel more embarrassed than hurt. Maybe you carry on with your day, assuming everything’s okay.

Then hours later — or the next morning — the symptoms creep in.

That’s completely normal. In fact, delayed symptoms are one of the defining features of concussion. After a crash, adrenaline can mask how you really feel. You might not notice the headache, dizziness, or fogginess until much later.

Other people might spot changes in you before you do. A friend might say you’re repeating yourself. A partner might notice you’re more irritable or withdrawn. These are all clues something isn’t right.

Even if you didn’t feel anything at the time of the crash, your brain may still be dealing with the impact.

That’s why it’s important to monitor your symptoms — and to note when they started. Keeping track helps doctors diagnose concussion more accurately. It also provides valuable evidence if you decide to pursue a legal claim later.

4. What to Do After a Suspected Concussion

If you think you might have a concussion, the best thing you can do is stop, rest, and observe.

Concussions don’t heal like a scraped knee. Your brain needs quiet time to recover. That means taking it easy — physically and mentally.

What to avoid right after a concussion:

• Don’t go back on your bike or exercise straight away

• Avoid screens, loud environments, and alcohol

• Don’t try to “push through” a foggy head or exhaustion

What to do instead:

• Rest in a quiet, comfortable space

• Take note of how you’re feeling and any changes

• Ask someone to check in on you if you’re alone

• See a GP as soon as possible, even if symptoms seem mild

• Head to A&E if symptoms suddenly worsen — especially confusion, vomiting, trouble speaking, or loss of coordination

You don’t have to wait for things to get bad. Getting medical advice early can speed up your recovery and give you peace of mind.

It also provides a clear medical record — something that could matter later if you decide to make a claim.

5. Do I Need to Lose Consciousness to Make a Claim?

No — and this is one of the most common misconceptions about cycling head injuries.

You don’t need to black out, be rushed to hospital, or show dramatic symptoms to bring a valid legal claim. In fact, most concussion claims we see involve people who stayed conscious throughout the accident.

What matters isn’t how dramatic the incident looked — it’s how the injury has affected your life. That might include:

• Missing work due to brain fog or fatigue

• Needing help with day-to-day tasks

• Ongoing headaches, sleep issues, or memory problems

• Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or mentally drained

These effects are real. They can interfere with your job, relationships, and quality of life — and you deserve support.

If someone else caused your crash (like a careless driver, a dangerous road surface, or a faulty e-scooter), you may be entitled to compensation. And even if you’re not sure whether you have a claim, it’s worth speaking to someone who understands cycling injuries inside out.

We can help you figure out what’s worth pursuing — no pressure, no obligation.