Riding a bike - OK if you have balance issues standing or walkng?

Posted by jkay510 @jkay510, May 24, 2022

Anybody tried riding a bike although you have balance issues when standing/walking? (eg does balance problem translate to biking?)

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@oldflathead

I was disabled "Irreversible Bi-Lateral Vestibulopathy" By 5 MDs in 2007 after being overdosed with the antibiotic Gentamicin. I had been a bicycle rider most of my life. In May & June 1985 my wife and I pedaled our tandem bike 4,008 miles from Long Beach, CA to New Haven CT. It was wonderful!
We kept our tandem for 2 more years, but it is impossible to ride with my lack of balance. We had tears & sorrow when we sold it.
Last year I bought a new "Adult Trike'" assembled it and tried to ride down our low us street. NO! It scared the dickens out of me. Tearfully I had to admit at 83 years, I can't even "Trike". I did get a Schwinn stationary exercise bike and try to pedal it daily.
Anyone close to Pensacola, FL want a new adult trike, I paid $350?

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Welcome @oldflathead, That tandem bike roadtrip sounds like fun and I'll bet you have a lot of great memories from the trip.

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I am curious about being ever able to ride a bike again. I have had 3 femur breaks, titanium rod in each femur, plus a trapped nerve at the perineal. 3 surgeons have told me the risk to try and untrap the nerve could result in paralysis of my left leg. Also this leg has stainless steel cable ties holding the rod plus a pin in the hip. If you are wondering about 3 femur breaks, the left leg suffered a spiral break, along with two shoulder bones on the left. Dropped in Rehab and another break in femur on same leg. Five years in July. After 3 doses of the vaccine for COVID, I have pain everywhere.

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There are tricycles for adults and some of them have electrical assists.

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@dbeshears1

Like @rivermaya34 , I too wondered about a bike, it would be a burst of freedom! Biking was a major activity, along with running, before I got struck by neuropathy. I ride a stationary bike at PT each session, and with my condition, and with resistance, 10 minutes is all I’ve been able to take.
My fear isn’t as much balancing while riding the bike as it is getting my bearings and land legs back when I dismount! But I’m honestly considering a tricycle bike: easy resistance and dismounting. Good, safe, fun exercise, and with baskets so I can ride to the store and shop. I don’t care if it looks funny to others, I got past that when I started using walkers and canes!

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I envy all of you who can ride bikes and go for walks. I can’t do either. I thank God I can drive or I’d never be able to leave the house. Neuropathy has gotten worse over 17 years but my knees are the big problem. One bad surgery and the other needs surgery but I’m too afraid after the first to pursue it and can’t find a good orthopedic doctor. 😟

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If balance is a challenge, as it is with me, I would not risk bike-riding. We don’t need to add a broken knee or hip to our challenges.

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No. Can’t ride. Legs can’t bend to pedal.

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@bonniethompson1234

I envy all of you who can ride bikes and go for walks. I can’t do either. I thank God I can drive or I’d never be able to leave the house. Neuropathy has gotten worse over 17 years but my knees are the big problem. One bad surgery and the other needs surgery but I’m too afraid after the first to pursue it and can’t find a good orthopedic doctor. 😟

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Bonnie,
Like you, it's in my legs too. from the waist down. I can bend my legs but no strenght. My PT gal tells me my quads are too week from months of little use. My spinchner mussel is week which has been a problem too. l blame my ED on this too.
Dan

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I’ve had multiple hip surgeries resulting in nerve damage that initially created a severe foot drop. There has been some healing but I still have a weak foot and balance issues. I began riding my bike and do 10-12 miles, 3 times a week. It is the only time I feel “normal” and not only does it help me physically, it is very helpful emotionally! There’s many types of bikes out there . I have a bike that resembles a beach cruiser with multiple gears.

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@mariannev

If balance is a challenge, as it is with me, I would not risk bike-riding. We don’t need to add a broken knee or hip to our challenges.

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There are 3 wheel bikes that might work out 🙂

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@riverlover
Yes, they tried to sell me one. They probably took one look at me and thought I was too old and decrepit to ride a bike and I suppose they wouldn’t of been too far off. I did ride my bike to my Pilates class today and went back to the bike store and got fenders and lights so I rode probably at least 10 miles. I asked my Pilates teacher if riding a bike would make my legs stronger more than walking and she said walking and biking together so I guess the answer is no, I’ll ask my Physical Therapist.
I’ve only fallen off the bike twice and both times were when I was stopped trying to get off. My leg doesn’t swing like it used to 60 years ago, imagine that.
Jake

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