Can You Get Hurt Riding Motocross?

Motocross, an outdoor sport where competitors race across rough dirt tracks on motorized dirt bikes, is notoriously dangerous. The courses often include hairpin turns, mud, and ramps that allow contestants to leap high into the air. As of 2011, there were few deaths attributed to motocross racing, but injuries are a common part of the sport.

  1. Head Injuries

    • Approximately 30 percent of motocross injuries are concussions. A concussion is a modest brain injury. Cyclers suffering from a concussion may experience poor muscle coordination, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Cyclers can expect to recover fully from a single uncomplicated concussion, but those who sustain serious or multiple concussions may experience long-term brain damage.

    Cuts, Scrapes and Bruises

    • Motocross cyclists frequently cut or bruise themselves, especially when they crash or slide off the track. These injuries may not threaten the life of a contestant, but they can cause real pain. Some motocross participants wear gloves, helmets, and thick clothing to minimize these types of injuries. Many motocross associations require safety equipment, as do some states.

    Organ Loss and Broken Limbs

    • Motocross cyclists can loose testicles, kidneys, and other organs. Some, such as Mike Metzger, Doug Henry and Blair Morgan, have broken their backs. Some more common injuries are broken arms, legs, and wrists. Cyclists sustain most of these injuries when performing trick jumps, but they may also occur during races.

    Death

    • Some motocross cyclers have died from injuries sustained while participating in the sport. As of 2011, the most recent professional athlete to perish was Jeremy Lusk in 2009. Lusk struck the ground with his face while attempting a complex back-flip. His physicians attempted to save his life with a medically-induced coma, but the brain trauma nevertheless eventually killed the 24-year-old competitor.