I‘m older than you, and in June of 2012 I was on my way to a 5000-mile year of commuting and road cycling, and was hit by car while riding. I sustained a fractured sacrum and right upper leg soft tissue injury with debridement of some skeletal muscle. The fracture was stabilized with pins and wires, still in place.

I was in acute care, and rehabilitation hospital for about six weeks, off work for about three months, and had weekly physical therapy for about two months after discharge. I was pretty compliant with my home exercises. I first got onto a heavy-duty, step-through bicycle at about four months, resumed my 14-mild one-way commute about five months, and as the weather got better, was doing rides of up to 60 miles by the summer of last year.

It feels to me that my posture has been significantly altered by re-configuration my sacrum. Along with the physical muscle loss, I seem to have much less power walking and going upstairs. Currently, walking distances of greater than about a quarter mile, without a cane, and prolonged sitting (which I do at my job) are tolerable, but increasingly uncomfortable as the day progresses. Thankfully, sitting on the bike is pretty comfortable, with only a dull, easily ignored ache. I think that's because I lean forward and support a significant amount of weight with my arms.

Back in my 20’s I had a case of sciatica that eventually resolved on its own, but was severe enough to drastically alter (for the better) my career plans. Cycling however, was still pain-free. So cycling has been well-tolerated, and indeed a boon to my health since it provides excellent cardiovascular exercise when weight-bearing is limited. I think the concomitant leg and core strengthening also aid my back.