Nov. 26, 2019&mdash;Biking is a fun way to get around&mdash;and great exercise. And overall, people pedaling may now be safer on the road, a new study shows. 
It found that the number of head and face injuries tied to biking held steady from 2008 to 2017&mdash;despite a rise in the number of cyclists over that time. 
But there was a worrying exception: Cyclists ages 55 to 64 received emergency room treatment for traumatic brain injuries and broken bones more than 86,000 times during the study period. That was a 54% jump among this age group in just a decade. 
The study also found that: 
<ul>
 <li>Overall, traumatic brain injuries accounted for nearly half of all bike-related ER visits.</li>
 <li>Bike riders ages 18 to 24 had the most head and face injuries overall. But that was likely due to biking's greater popularity among that age group. </li>
 <li>Cyclists ages 45 to 54 were the most likely to be hospitalized with facial fractures. </li>
</ul>
The study appeared in the <a href="https://www.joms.org/" target="_blank">Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery</a>. 
Stay safe on the road 
Based on their findings, the researchers urged older cyclists in particular to reduce their risk of serious injuries with simple steps like these: 
<ul>
 <li>Wear a bicycle helmet that fits you well every time you ride&mdash;no matter how short the trip. </li>
 <li>Wear brightly colored or reflective clothing to be more visible. </li>
 <li>Use lights and reflectors on your bike at night.</li>
 <li>Always avoid alcohol before riding a bike. </li>
</ul>
<a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/Story.aspx?StoryId=f5ed9af3-cbfc-474a-ab2f-db67d65a3a10">Discover more ways to make every ride a safe ride</a>.

Biking in your 50s or beyond? Brush up on these road rules

Biking may be riskier in midlife and later. Here's how to stay safe.