Is cycling safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about cycling during pregnancy?

1. Stationary cycling is named among the activities easiest to keep up throughout pregnancy, alongside swimming and water aerobics. 1
2. Riding bicycles presents risks for falls, accidents and abdominal trauma, which is why federal travel health guidance flags it for pregnant travelers. 2
3. Falls are reported in roughly 13 to 27 percent of pregnancies and are most common in the third trimester, as weight gain and ligament laxity reduce postural control. 3
4. Placental abruption complicates about 1 to 6 percent of minor injuries in pregnancy, and trauma of some kind occurs in about 8 percent of all pregnancies. 4
5. National physical activity guidelines from around the world consistently rule out sports carrying a risk of falls, trauma or collisions. 5

Is cycling safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Balance is still close to normal and the uterus sits low inside the pelvis, so experienced riders often keep going on quiet routes. Traffic, gravel and clipless pedals are the first things worth cutting.
• Second trimester. Your center of gravity moves forward and the bump changes how you reach the bars. Many riders switch to a stationary bike or an upright commuter around here rather than a road bike.
• Third trimester. Falls cluster in the third trimester, and this is when a fall is most likely to reach the uterus. An indoor bike gives you the same effort with the ground taken out of the equation.