What age is it dangerous to have a fall

There's a difference between 'having a fall' and 'falling over'. If you're able to ride a bike, you're not in the 'having a fall' category because you have good balance and muscle strength.
If you fall off your bike (try not to!) you may injure yourself more than a younger person would (bones likely a bit thinner etc) and take longer to repair.
But keeping active is the best way of delaying the onset of 'having a fall' territory.

Not elderly - excellent exercise that keeps you not elderly regardless of your age.

So, so good for you in your 60's. Just be careful where you cycle.

I’ve fallen over in a supermarket car park because of uneven surfaces. And I’m still living to tell the tale, but I do think as you get older the reflexes are slower. Everyone who watched, thought I’d be able to recover the fall, but sadly not!

Potholers and climbers carry on into their 70s without a second thought, then in their 80s they seem to take up cycling instead.

But 60s is (mostly) still working age - you could be commuting by bike to a full time job! It isn't elderly.

Take the usual precautions, definitely. My local council offers an intro to riding on the roads for people who haven't cycled for years or are new to it which seems like a good idea.

Get out and enjoy yourself. If you are on facebook then I recommend Women’s Cycling Over 50. It’s full of women 50/60s getting back into cycling and is a lovely supportive group.
I’ve started back up and get so much out of cycling in nature. Beautiful scenery and I can feel my spirits lifting straight away 🚴‍♀️

I'm in my early 60s and I ride bikes AND horses. Go for it OP.

Cycling in general is a really good form of non weight bearing exercise, so would definitely do it if you can. I cycle almost every day, not far, but love it.

But ideally we should be doing some weight bearing exercise too.
Apart from trying to maintain bone density, keeping our limbs strong and maintaining flexibility and balance should help protect us as we age.

One thing that might be worth considering is learning how to fall well so you don't hurt yourself as much. I used to do Aikido and Judo and we spent time at the start of every session practising falling over and learning to roll with the direction you're going in when you go down. I'm in my 60s now and a very active life has meant a few tumbles here and there. I haven't always got it right, such as when slipping on wet slabs and landing hard on my back, but learning how fall has helped with many other fallings-over.

Thanks for that insight HeySummer but I’ll stick by what I said…
60s is not ‘elderly’ and the suggestion that it is, is frankly ridiculous.

I had a serious accident many years ago while running in the woods. A simple slip on mud resulted in serious fractures with multiple surgeries. I wasn’t anywhere near sixty.

I am now a bit unstable but do body pump.

My physio advised a three wheeler bike for safety.

It is amazing, the cars give you loads of space and the bikes are so solid and balanced you can’t fall off.

You can also get them electric for a bit of help up the hills as these bikes are very heavy.

It depends on how fit you are. My dad is 69 and still does regular 50 mile cycles but he is very fit. Are you generally well in yourself? If so, go for it!

In terms of a bike I don't think it is particularly high risk for healthy people in their 60s. My husband is mid 60s and he has just started cycling again. He has osteoarthritis in his thumb which isn't ideal for changing gear. He also suffers from positional vertigo but that doesn't seem to be causing problems.

My grandfather never drove but cycled until his mid 80s when he came off his bike and then gave up.

My mum on the other hand when she was in her 50s could not have coped with cycling. However she swam every day. She did have trips and falls in her 60s but her health was not good.

Cycling in general is a really good form of non weight bearing exercise, so would definitely do it if you can. I cycle almost every day, not far, but love it.

Any age.

Risk of serious injuries start to increase after 65.

I believe it’s 75-80+ when a fall has more impact on life expectancy.

I know several councils who have falls prevention officers. They run free 12 week courses to help build up strength and balance.

I fell and broke my arm recently. I'm 72. It healed enough to get the plaster cast off in the standard six weeks. Then a few more to get completely better.

My mum has osteoporosis. She had a few falls in her 70s with no complications. It was in her mid 80s that she started breaking bones when she fell - broke a hip and cracked a couple of vertebrae. She has still recovered fully and is back to mobility without using any kind of walking aid.

A fall from a bike is different but as long as you take sensible precautions I think cycling in your 60s is great exercise.

Just go cycling! You can’t live your life wrapped in cotton wool. Exercise is so good for you.

I run, lift weights and a do a Zumba class. I’m 60!

Falls at any age can be minor or serious. Mum at 90 years fell off a stool and not a scratch on her. Hospital was amazed at her (and then gave out to her for standing on a stool). Neighbour aged 40 fell off asimilar stool and shattered her leg which is still causing serious problems almost 12 months later. Be active and take care.

I'm 58 and fall a lot! But then I do have rheumatoid arthritis and also osteoporosis. If you have no medical reason to worry then enjoy your bike!

@augustusglupe

I'm sorry but that's not true (that being in your 60s is nowhere near elderly.) It really is. And I say this as someone close to that age range. You're not very old in your 60s, but you're not young, nowhere near young... And you're not that far off elderly. I don't know why ageing, and admitting you are quite old, is such a taboo on here.

Ageing/getting old, is not a sin, and is a privilege denied to many! I find it very sad that so many people get offended if there is any suggestion they might be a bit old, or gasp! ELDERLY! There is nothing wrong with being old and elderly. Why are people so insulted if someone suggests they may be elderly?

Anyway!

@rainydaydreamer

As for your comments..... I don't think that people will end up in hospital for a normal fall (that is not from height,) til they are past 70. It depends on the person of course, but I would say at 70+ your bones will be quite a bit weaker than they were at 60, and a fall will result in broken bones, even if it's not a bad fall.

I fell down some rocks at the side of a river about 6 months ago. (I am 60-ish.) It was around a 5-6 feet sloped drop. I was badly bruised, and I fractured a rib and was in some pain for a week or so. But I was OK and not hospitalised. Completely recovered within 2 weeks. I am not super fit, but do walk 2-3 miles a day, and I carry about 2 stone or so of extra weight, so probably had a bit of 'padding!'

a) it depends how frail you are. If you have brittle bones, or would struggle to get yourself up, or your reactions have slowed so you can’t protect yourself when you fall then a fall can do you more damage than someone younger. Does any of that apply to you?

b) falls, especially frequent falls and falls from standing when doing normal activities of daily living (crossing the sitting room) are often a sign of underlying/increasing frailty - poor balance because of muscle loss/sensory damage. If you’re cycling I doubt this applies to you.

So the broad answer is probably much older than you, and in much worse general nick, and staying healthy and active will push your risk much older.

60’s is nowhere near elderly.
Coming off a bike can be serious at any age. Just take care, wear all the protective gear and enjoy it.

Quite often it’s an underlying (possibly undiagnosed) health condition that causes the fall & makes recovery take longer. Often it’s frailty making broken bones more likely etc.

If you are a fit & healthy 65 year old I wouldn’t let the risk of falling off stop you cycling altogether.