Ahmedabad: With fewer than 5 kilometres of cycling lanes remaining — and those at risk of vanishing altogether — recreational cyclists are left navigating increasingly hostile streets.
As the city’s cycling community grows, so does the discomfort felt by many of its riders, including some complaining of musculoskeletal disorders, sometimes owing to uneven and bumpy roads and even lack of proper care. By 2012, Ahmedabad took a step towards sustainable transportation by creating a network of 22 kilometres of dedicated cycle tracks. Today, that vision has all but disappeared.
A recent study conducted in the city uncovered a troubling trend — nearly half of recreational cyclists suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), with back, neck, and wrist pain being the most common complaints. The research highlights the alarming prevalence of such discomfort among 110 surveyed cyclists.
A staggering 49.1% reported experiencing pain, with knee and lower back issues topping the list. The researchers involved in the study “Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Recreational Cyclists” are from LJ Institute of Physiotherapy, SBB College of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University.
The study found that 49.1% of the 110 participants reported the presence of MSDs. Among those experiencing discomfort, 62.9% reported pain at a single anatomical site, while 37.1% experienced pain in multiple areas.
The most affected anatomical sites were the knee (21.8%) followed by the lower back (13.6%), upper back (9.1%), leg (8.2%), and neck (7.3%). Elbow (4.5%) and shoulder (3.6%) pain were also reported. Notably, discomfort persisted even after cycling for 32.7% of the cyclists, and approximately 10% indicated that the pain impacted their day-to-day activities.
For many, the problem is not just the strain of cycling itself but the lack of proper infrastructure. Inadequate bike lanes force riders onto busy, often unsafe roads, pushing their bodies into unnatural postures.
Dr Manish Raval, a cyclist, said he doesn’t have cycling-related issues because he strengthens his body with gym workouts four days a week, runs one day, and cycles only once a week for 70-80km. “With no dedicated cycling tracks, cyclists often have to leave very early to avoid traffic and take smaller, quieter roads to minimise the risk of accidents.” Another cycling enthusiast, J K Bhatia, added, “A dedicated cycling stretch of at least 25-30km loop would also be beneficial.”