I'm 62, and trying to determine at what level of hip bone density breaking a hip from a hard fall from a bicycle, say a catastrophic fall or fall on ice, becomes a greater than normal risk.

I got a bone density scan, but apparently predicting your risk for breaking bones isn't its purpose!

I don't know the answer to your question, but the only time I have broken anything (two leg bones at the ankle) was getting knocked over from a standing position with both feet on the ground. My bone density is normal AFAIK. The nature of the fall is probably far more important in determining the outcome.

The question implies that at some level of density it is okay to fall of the bike hard.

I agree. if you are dense enough to deliberately fall hard from your bike, go for it.

Otherwise .. it is never okay to fall off your bike. Bone density is not an issue. You could fall wrong and break your neck or crush your skull, or in some other way kill yourself.

Art what level of density is That okay?

if you think you are too frail to ride, don't. But honestly ... what have you got to lose? So long as you have the balance and the awareness to keep from riding into things or the paths of moving things ... we are all leaving here one way or anther, at some time or another. if cycling makes you feel alive, ride your bike.

There is a thread in the Fifty-plus forum of a guy who wrecked hard ... he is getting a whole new hip. he will back and riding before long. plenty of people ride into their 80s. There are speed records for a rider who is about 106---he retired from competition not too long ago.

On the other hand, most people fall in the tub and break hips and worse.

Decide to live and live well. When your time comes, you will at least have made good use of your life.

Even if there was a precise and accurate representation available of bone density vs fall damage risks, it's still only one factor in the equation. What about your body weight or muscle mass? What about the speed at which you're moving when you fall? How about the angles at which your body decides to twist or the exact placement of your feet on the pedals or even whether you're riding seated or standing? You're better off doing the best you can to prepare yourself for a fall or crash and avoid situations beyond your skill level, than stress about something that's not really even in your control. Just get out there and ride, man!

There is: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php

Then there is: https://www.webmd.com

It depends.


No really. That's the right answer.


BTW - the most common cycling-related break is the collarbone, and that can happen to people of any age.

And at any bone density.

If you are really concerned about breaking bones, then start evaluating your risk levels. Bombing down hairpin and switchback turns on steep mountain roads? Mass start racing?

Stable or Unstable on the bike? Fast or Slow? Swerving? Bike Paths vs Roads, etc.

For some, a tadpole trike could bring an increase in stability, and decrease in risk.

An extra layer of blubber might help too.

There are quite a few people here that think they know more than doctors.

If that is really a worry, probably time to move to a trike.

Which raises the question, "How dense is Rydabent?"

(By the way ... I cannot even rent a trike within 100 miles from my home. I wanted to test-ride a trike ... the gas to drive there costs half the hourly rental fee.)

Actually, I think it's unsafe at any bone density to fall hard from a bike.

Bone health or quality is important too. There are many people who've had catastrophic fractures after taking products like Fosamax. These products slow down the reabsorption of the old bone, creating an increase in both bone density and fragility with Fosamax being tied to increased fractures of the Femur (the leg bone by the hip). It depends is really the best answer to the question, and seeking advice from someone trained, licensed etc... will give you better advice than Dr. Google.

There has got to a correlation of bone density with incident of fracture - you just don't get told about it because they (doctors) think we'll misinterpret it and ignore the other factors comprising bone quality. Ha, I found this https://riskcalculator.fore.org/

Id find it not safe to crash, soft or hard, and I'm in my low 30s with enough muscle and blubber to protect my presumably still good bones.

As others have stated, if you are wondering if its safe to crash, it may be time to consider a safer form of cycle. I dunno how one can actually enjoy cycling if they are in fear of injury.

Maybe these responses weren't intended to sound like they do, but I've got to say that OP hasn't asked if it was safe to crash, he hasn't indicated any fear of injury, and nothing that I saw implies that he isn't an experienced, skilled cyclist. He wanted to know if there is any risk assessment from bone density measurements, and complaining that the doctors aren't any help with that.

If there IS some heightened concern about crashing, that isn't the problem it appears to be made out to be here, and I respectfully suggest that those who haven't had to make that sort of risk assessment refrain from advising OP to take up a different sport. It's not helpful in my opinion. I've been there myself, and some of you probably figure me for half crazy because I biked when a crash would have likely been catastrophic. Wanting to know how to judge it, and being afraid or lacking in skills, are two different things. Use your judgement, decide how much risk you'll take. I think that's what OP is looking for.

Unfortunately the OP hasn't been back to join in the conversation or explain what he's looking for.

Statistics show that most bike injuries are from falling and more often than you'd probably think, the rider has been drinking. You really need to be aware all the time so, be careful-- that's about all you can do to protect yourself.

Yup. Be Extra careful when riding drunk. Good point!

Or perhaps, given the adage that the drunk never gets hurt in the wreck because he is so relaxed .. be careful to be extra drunk while riding.

Bone density typically goes down with age but there isn't an age where you hav poor bone density.

I've seen 80 year olds with bone so hard it dulls the saw and heats up. I've seen 40 year old (alcoholic) bones that were basically sponge.

I'm hoping you're some sort of medical professional...

Falling off a bike isn't fun for anyone, and bones will break when they will. Maintaining your bones is a matter of nutrition and exercise as much as anything. But there isn't a 'standard' fall or crash.