Thoughts on this new study and the shocking number of MTB-related spinal cord injuries? As someone in the prime risk demographic, its giving me some pause.
Thoughts on this new study and the shocking number of MTB-related spinal cord injuries? As someone in the prime risk demographic, its giving me some pause.
this reminds me, that I wanted to buy an airbagbag backpack
balrog687 on
58 accidents between 2008 and 2022 is not that much, considering Canada is the bike meca, and you have bikeparks like whistler with thousands of visitors each season.
Cars are deadlier for cyclists than mtb trails.
othegrouch on
I’m not surprised. Specially for a study based out of BC. A lot of the riding we are seeing is high-consequence -case a 20 footer or a 10ft drop and you will get hurt.
The new bikes have open up terrain and features that used to be the domain of experts. Mistakes will be more costly. Look at it this way: the technique for a 2ft drop and a 10ft drop is essentially the same. The consequence of a mistake is not.
Promoting safety gear and armor is good. But realistically, the risk is there. You can only mitigate it by avoiding certain things. Is no different than whitewater kayaking or backcountry skiing. There are places where a mistake is costly
madabnegky on
I’m not sure what I’m supposed to take away, tbh. Seems to say that SCI are a potential of MTB, but they’re a potential of driving a car too. BC is probably not the optimal case study location in that I’m guessing there are tons of people drawn to places like whistler who may not have the capability of riding stuff they wind up riding, thus inflating some of these numbers.
My takeaway… There’s an inherent risk in riding my bike. I still feel safer from catastrophic injury riding my mountain bike on trails than my road bike on the road. Ride within your means, wear appropriate protection, know there’s a risk of injury, and ride on.
4 Comments
this reminds me, that I wanted to buy an airbagbag backpack
58 accidents between 2008 and 2022 is not that much, considering Canada is the bike meca, and you have bikeparks like whistler with thousands of visitors each season.
Cars are deadlier for cyclists than mtb trails.
I’m not surprised. Specially for a study based out of BC. A lot of the riding we are seeing is high-consequence -case a 20 footer or a 10ft drop and you will get hurt.
The new bikes have open up terrain and features that used to be the domain of experts. Mistakes will be more costly. Look at it this way: the technique for a 2ft drop and a 10ft drop is essentially the same. The consequence of a mistake is not.
Promoting safety gear and armor is good. But realistically, the risk is there. You can only mitigate it by avoiding certain things. Is no different than whitewater kayaking or backcountry skiing. There are places where a mistake is costly
I’m not sure what I’m supposed to take away, tbh. Seems to say that SCI are a potential of MTB, but they’re a potential of driving a car too. BC is probably not the optimal case study location in that I’m guessing there are tons of people drawn to places like whistler who may not have the capability of riding stuff they wind up riding, thus inflating some of these numbers.
My takeaway… There’s an inherent risk in riding my bike. I still feel safer from catastrophic injury riding my mountain bike on trails than my road bike on the road. Ride within your means, wear appropriate protection, know there’s a risk of injury, and ride on.