Painful side-effects to boom in cycling

New cyclists and those rediscovering the joys of biking are believed to be behind an increase in ACC claims.

ACC figures show the total number of cyclists making claims for injuries in the first 10 months of last year was almost as high as the total number for 2019.

Nearly 29,000 cycling-related claims, costing taxpayers $48 million, were made in 2019. As of October 31, there had been 27,063 claims last year, also worth about $48m.

Cycling Action Network spokesman Patrick Morgan said biking had boomed in popularity since New Zealand went into lockdown in March, causing a bicycle shortage.

The number of people buying and riding e-bikes had also skyrocketed in recent years, as had ACC claims for e-bike crashes (such claims rose from five in 2013-14 to 137 in 2017-18).

Many of those buying bikes and e-bikes were older people rediscovering the hobby, Morgan said.

‘‘Often these are people who haven’t ridden a bike for a while so it’s not surprising that they have teething troubles.’’

Queenstown real estate agent Megan Osborne said she fitted into that demographic.

Osborne and her husband

David, both aged in their 50s, decided to buy e-bikes after lockdown.

‘‘We were a wee bit round after eating and drinking too much,’’ she said.

She had not cycled for about 30 years, but was keen to make the most of her new hobby and quickly headed for some of Otago’s more technical tracks.

Her overeagerness meant several crashes over banks or after hitting rocks, resulting in bruises, grazed skin, a fat lip and a broken bone in her hand.

‘‘I am a bit rip, s... and bust and I do like the excitement of speed, so now I am learning to be more cautious,’’ she said.

She put her injury rate down to inexperience, ignorance and overenthusiasm, but said being out on her bike was great fun and made her smile.

‘‘I’d jump up and get back on and the next day I’d find these massive bruises everywhere,’’ Osborne said.

‘‘Mostly it’s just my pride that’s hurt.’’

Osborne had not lodged any ACC claims for her injuries, but was with her son’s girlfriend when she took a tumble and broke her nose and an arm, resulting in several operations.