First Aid for Cyclists – How to Handle Falls, Fractures, and Road Rash

Cycling is one of the UK’s fastest-growing forms of exercise and transport — and for good reason. It’s sustainable, healthy, and offers an incredible sense of freedom. But whether you're navigating city streets or enjoying a countryside ride, accidents happen.

At Essex First Aid & Wellbeing, we believe every cyclist should know the essentials of First Aid, especially how to respond to common cycling injuries like falls, fractures, and road rash.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the most common cycling-related injuries and how to treat them — whether you’re riding solo, in a group, or managing a cycling event or club.

Common Cycling Injuries

Cyclists face a unique set of risks due to speed, terrain, road conditions, and proximity to traffic. The most common injuries include:

Injury Type	Common Cause
Road rash	Falls on tarmac or gravel
Fractures	High-speed falls, collisions, poor landing
Head injuries	Lack of helmet or impact during crash
Cuts and bruises	Minor scrapes or sharp objects
Dislocations	Falls onto outstretched hand or shoulder
Heat exhaustion	Summer rides without hydration

First Aid Kit Essentials for Cyclists

Every cyclist should carry a basic personal First Aid kit, especially for long or rural rides.

Include:

• Plasters and antiseptic wipes

• Sterile dressings and gauze

• Blister plasters

• Gloves and cleansing wipes

• Tweezers (for splinters)

• Emergency foil blanket

• Medical tape

• Small scissors

• Your personal medications (inhaler, antihistamines, etc.)

You can buy compact cycling First Aid kits — or make your own and store it in a saddlebag.

1. Road Rash – Cleaning and Dressing Abrasions

Road rash happens when the skin scrapes across rough ground during a fall — often leaving a painful, dirty, bleeding abrasion.

First Aid Steps:

1. Wash hands or wear gloves.

2. Gently rinse the wound with clean water — remove debris but avoid scrubbing.

3. Clean around the wound with antiseptic wipes.

4. Apply a non-stick dressing like a hydrogel or gauze pad.

5. Change dressings daily and monitor for infection (redness, swelling, pus).

   
   

❗Seek medical attention if the wound is deep, embedded with gravel, or shows signs of infection.

2. Suspected Fractures – Immobilise and Support

Common fracture sites include:

• Collarbone

• Wrist or forearm

• Hip or thigh (especially in older cyclists)

Signs of a fracture:

• Intense pain

• Swelling or bruising

• Inability to move the limb

• Limb appears deformed or “out of place”

First Aid Steps:

1. Do not move the limb — stabilise it where it lies.

2. Use a sling or soft padding to support arms.

3. For legs, keep the person still and wait for emergency services.

4. Call 999 for serious or open fractures (where bone breaks the skin).

5. Keep the person calm, warm, and reassured.

3. Head Injuries – Spotting Concussion and When to Call 999

Even with a helmet, cyclists can suffer head injuries from impact. Always treat with caution.

Watch for:

• Dizziness or confusion

• Nausea or vomiting

• Slurred speech

• Memory loss

• Blurred vision or loss of balance

If any of the above are present, assume concussion and seek medical help.

First Aid:

1. Keep the person still and seated.

2. Monitor for deterioration.

3. Call 999 if consciousness is lost, or symptoms worsen.

4. Never allow the person to continue riding.

🪖 A helmet may protect the skull — but it’s not a guarantee against internal injury.

4. Cuts, Bruises and Bleeding – Control and Clean

Cycling falls often result in minor cuts and bruises.

First Aid:

• Clean cuts with saline or clean water.

• Apply pressure to bleeding wounds with sterile gauze.

• Cover with plasters or dressings.

• Use cold packs on bruises to reduce swelling.

🚫 Avoid using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide — it can damage skin tissue.

5. Heat Exhaustion – Summer Ride Risk

Cyclists are particularly prone to overheating in warm weather.

Signs:

• Heavy sweating

• Pale, clammy skin

• Fatigue or dizziness

• Headache or cramps

First Aid:

1. Move to a shaded or cool area.

2. Sip water slowly.

3. Use a damp cloth to cool skin.

4. Rest until fully recovered.

   
   

❗If symptoms don’t improve, or worsen into confusion or vomiting — call 999.

 Group Rides and Clubs – Be Prepared

If you run or lead a cycling club, First Aid preparation is essential:

• Ensure at least one person per group has First Aid training

• Carry a comprehensive group First Aid kit

• Plan your routes with emergency access in mind

• Keep key medical details for all riders (e.g., allergies, medical conditions)

• Share your location with someone before you head out

At EFAW, we provide on-site First Aid training for sports clubs and can tailor courses to your group’s needs.