Is bicycle riding bad for your back?

Question

Is bicycle riding bad for your back?

Answer 1

It would, I think depend on the style of bicycle you have and where your back problem is located. I wouldn't recommend you ride a racing style bike where you are bent over the handlebars but they do make touring bikes or sport comfort bikes which have you sitting up straighter. Some have shock absorbers built in so the bumps don't affect you so much.

Answer 2

It can be.  Most people have back pain when they first start riding if they have off a bike for awhile.  This usually goes away though as your body gets used to the new activity and your muscles strengthen.  If you already have back problems it could exacerbate them.  Even most people can work through them as long as they start out slowly and work their way up to more saddle time.  If you have concerns about your back I would suggest a trip to the doctor.  If you can't ride a normal bike because of your back there's always recumbent bikes.

Answer 3

Not particularly. If you have an existing back problem it could be. Cycling in an aggressive position, leaning far forward does but a strain on the back and neck. This is not a problem for most people, it takes getting accustom to though.

Answer 4

Bike fit is certainly important.  As is core fitness.

Cyling's a lot of lower body leg effort.  No harm no foul.  If the cycling efforts not "too" strenuous, whatever that is for you; then no harm no foul.

Core, abdominals and back and especially lower back is often the weakest link and where strenuous effort is felt.  Not necessarily a bad thing.

Early season early conditioning, I just know to expect that strenuous efforts will impact and be felt in addition to butt, legs, shoulders, also my lower back.

Answer 5

If the bike isn't personally fitted to you it can. Even though I'm usually on the drops on my road bike most of the time, it's not uncomfortable at all, because my local bike shop professionally fitted me for it.

Answer 6

As the others said, a badly-fitted bike can result in back problems.

However, a decently-fitted bike and a riding schedule appropriate for you can increase both your flexibility and your core strength, which will result in better back health.

Answer 7

Not at all.  

Assuming:

1. Right size bike

2. Properly fitted

3. Proper cycling form.  

I've gone on long rides a number of times when my back was hurting so bad that mounting and dismounting was difficult.  Once I got on and clicked in, everything was fine.

Answer 8

I haven't noticed any diffrence to my spine from rding my bike.

I asked my mate and he said riding makes his back very loose.