Bangalore’s Cycling Boom, Rising Injuries & the Role of Cycling Physiotherapy

Bangalore has firmly established itself as India’s cycling capital. With landmark events such as the Tour of Nilgiris (TFN), Bangalore Bicycle Championships (BBCh), Tour de Malnad, and the Great Malnad Challenge, along with hundreds of weekend endurance riders and cycling communities, the city has witnessed an unprecedented surge in cycling participation.

However, with this rapid growth comes a significant rise in cycling-related injuries. Today, cyclists across Bangalore frequently experience knee pain, lower back pain, neck and shoulder stiffness, wrist numbness, saddle discomfort, and muscle tightness, often affecting both performance and long-term riding sustainability.

This is where cycling-specific physiotherapy becomes essential.

Spectrum Physio – Bangalore’s Leading Cycling Physiotherapy Centre

Spectrum Physio is widely recognised as one of the best physiotherapy centres for cyclists in Bangalore, with deep expertise in sports biomechanics, cycling injury prevention, and performance optimisation.

Under the leadership of Dr. Dhanajeyan Jayavel, one of the top physiotherapists in Bangalore specialising in cycling physiotherapy, Spectrum Physio has:

Treated thousands of cyclists across all levels
Supported 100+ cycling races and endurance events
Worked closely with elite cycling teams, amateurs, and recreational riders
Built a reputation for biomechanics-based physiotherapy rather than symptom-only care

Unlike conventional physiotherapy clinics, Spectrum Physio focuses on how the cyclist moves on the bike, not just where the pain is.

Why Cyclists Get Injured: A Biomechanics-Based Explanation

Most cycling injuries are not sudden or accidental. They develop due to small biomechanical errors repeated thousands of times.

A cyclist performs approximately 5,000–6,000 pedal strokes per hour. Even a minor issue—when repeated over long distances—can result in chronic pain.

Common Bio mechanical Causes of Cycling Injuries

1. Poor Bike Fit

Even a 2–3 mm error in saddle height, handlebar reach, or cleat alignment can significantly increase stress on the knees, hips, and lower back.

👉 This is why bike fit in Bangalore must be guided by physiotherapists trained in joint mechanics, not just measurements.

2. Muscle Imbalances

Weak gluteal muscles, tight hip flexors, and restricted hamstrings reduce pedalling efficiency and overload the knee joint.

3. Overuse and High Training Volume

Long rides without adequate recovery increase tendon stress, especially around the knee and Achilles.

4. Inefficient Riding Technique

Low cadence, excessive forward posture, and poor core engagement create abnormal spinal and knee loading.

5. Repetitive Stress

Small errors quickly turn into knee pain, IT band syndrome, and lower back pain.

Physiotherapy for Knee Pain in Cyclists – A Core Expertise at Spectrum Physio

Knee pain is the most common complaint among cyclists in Bangalore.

Common Cycling-Related Knee Conditions:

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
IT Band Syndrome
Quadriceps and patellar tendinitis
Medial knee pain due to cleat misalignment

Why Cyclists Develop Knee Pain:

Low cadence with high torque
Tight IT band and quadriceps
Weak gluteal muscles
Incorrect saddle height
Poor cleat rotation and foot biomechanics

Physiotherapy Treatment at Spectrum Physio:

Manual therapy and dry needling
IT band and quadriceps myofascial release
Glute and core strengthening programs
Cleat angle and saddle height correction
Bike-fit correction based on joint mechanics

This integrated approach ensures long-term relief from knee pain, not just temporary symptom reduction.

Spectrum Physio’s Cycling Biomechanics Assessment

(What Makes Us Different)

Every cyclist at Spectrum Physio undergoes a detailed cycling biomechanics assessment, including:

Hip–knee–ankle alignment analysis
Pedal stroke efficiency evaluation
Saddle position and pelvic stability check
Cleat alignment and foot biomechanics
Trunk stability and core control assessment
Muscle flexibility, strength, and power imbalance testing
Cadence, breathing, and riding technique analysis

This assessment is especially valuable for:

Endurance cyclists
TFN and BBCh participants
Long-distance and multi-day tour riders
Cyclists with recurrent knee or back pain

Other Common Cycling Injuries Treated at Spectrum Physio

Lower Back Pain in Cyclists

Caused by rounded lumbar posture, weak core, tight hamstrings, and excessive reach.

Treatment:
Lumbar mobilisation, core activation, flexibility training, posture correction, cadence optimisation.

Neck and Shoulder Pain

Very common during long rides like Tour of Nilgiris and Tour de Malnad.

Treatment:
Cervical mobilisation, scapular strengthening, kinesio taping, handlebar height optimisation.

Wrist Pain and Numbness (Cyclist’s Palsy)

Treatment:
Nerve gliding, wrist mobility, grip strengthening, handlebar padding and angle correction, core stability.

Hip and Hamstring Tightness

Treatment:
Myofascial release, glute activation, PNF stretching, cadence and climbing technique training.

Bike Fit Bangalore – Why Physiotherapist-Led Fit Matters

At Spectrum Physio, bike-fit recommendations are guided by physiotherapy and biomechanics, not just geometry.

✔ Joint loading is prioritised
✔ Injury history is considered
✔ Muscle imbalances are corrected
✔ Comfort and performance are balanced

This makes Spectrum Physio a preferred choice for bike fit in Bangalore, especially for cyclists with pain or performance limitations.

Dr. Dhanajeyan Jayavel – A Leader in Cycling Physiotherapy

Dr. Dhanajeyan Jayavel is widely regarded as one of the top physiotherapists in Bangalore with unmatched experience in cycling physiotherapy, sports rehabilitation, and event-based physiotherapy support.

With over 100+ cycling events supported, extensive on-field experience, and deep knowledge of cycling biomechanics, he has played a pivotal role in shaping cycling injury prevention and performance care in Bangalore.

Why Cyclists Choose Spectrum Physio

Biomechanics over symptom-based treatment
Specialised physiotherapy for knee pain in cyclists
Expert-led bike fit in Bangalore
Performance-focused rehab and conditioning
Proven experience in TFN, BBCh & endurance events

Dec 24, 2025