6 Key Tips for PT Students and New Grads who Want to Learn Bike Fit and Work with Cyclists
Over the years, many aspiring PT students who have a passion for working with cyclists and Bike Fitting have approached me, in search of the best coursework and learning opportunities to help aid in their knowledge and skills.
Although hard to believe, currently, no PT school curriculum (yet) in the US has coursework dedicated to the cycling athlete and concepts related to Bike Fit. So, when these students graduate, they often have to search out learning opportunities, and continuing education to satisfy their desire in working within this population.
Pedal PT and the Pedal PT Online Academy are here to help fill this void for you, because I was once in your shoes too!
Beyond leanring the clinical basics for Bike Fit, I believe there are 6 critical ingredients to making the best PTs for treating cyclists, and these that may be even more important than classwork alone.
Below is an e-mail I received years ago, with my response:
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“I am reaching out to you because I remember seeing your presentation at CSM in San Antonio entitled: ‘Bike-Friendly Physical Therapy: Keeping the Public in the Saddle.’ I was so impressed with the overall messages of the presentation, the explanation of your business model, and business ethos that I felt inspired to reach out for any advice.
I am currently a 3rd year Doctor of Physical Therapy Student on my final clinical rotation, planning to take the board exam in July, and I love bikes; I’m a mountain biker primarily and a commuter secondarily.
To be completely frank I would love to be able to ride to work, treat fellow cyclists, and possibly be in charge of a business similar to yours.
I was wondering if you had any sage words of advice.
Can you recommend any specific learning opportunities, routes you wished you’d taken, or other experiences that would facilitate my future career working with cyclists? Thanks in advance! “
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Thanks for reaching out- I’m glad you enjoyed my presentation last year, and am happy to help you in working with the cycling population- It’s a wonderful, satisfying, fun, and growing niche in many communities throughout the US.
My best advice to you, beyond specific cycling/BikeFit coursework:
1) Be a ‘cyclist’ and be authentic. It all comes down to authenticity and if you can’t walk the walk, or ‘ride the ride’, you will never be able to truly earn the trust and ‘street cred’ to work within this population. If you are not riding, you are not learning what your body feels like on a bike. Learn how to use simple tools to adjust peices/parts on your bike.
2) Be yourself. We all have innate gifts, but commonly try to be like others and feel like we need to change- Embrace your uniqueness and it will open doors on all levels
3) Ride all the time, and/or as much as you can, and experience many different bikes. Don’t be pigeon-holed by only one discipline or style of cycling: ride mountain bikes, gravel bikes, road bikes, e-bikes, and folding bikes if you have the ability to do so. Learn how your body feels, what can be adjusted on different models, and how the geometry affects your sensations on the bike. Live the ‘bike life’.
4) Be part of your local cycling community, or make your own. Cycling is about community, supporting and learning from each other, and making cycling approachable to all groups; Embrace new riders without ego, because we all were beginners at one time.
5) Be seen on a bike, and record your rides on platforms where other riders are. Know other cyclists, and have all the local bike shops know who you are by name by frequenting their shops. Log your rides on Strava (or other health apps where your ideal clients will be), and ‘follow’ other cyclists in your area. Again, this falls into authenticity and improving your street cred as a bicyclist, which will allow you to work with cyclists and ultimately be the sought-out provider because of your ‘bikey’ reputation.
6) Volunteer in bike races, tours and events. Again, be part of the community and understand ‘your tribe’ of cyclists to learn more about their pain-points, training and goals
Kevin Schmidt, PT, MSPT, CMP, BikePT is the founder of Pedal PT in Portland, Oregon.
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Are you a Physcial Therapist passionate about cycling and working within the cycling population?
Be sure to check out my brand new online course offering: “The Pedal PT Online Academy” — Earn CEUs, and learn Bike Fit skills and how to succeed as a Physiotherapist in the cycling niche!
Over 9 hours of and 30+ lessons, and lifetime access- designed to streamline, demystify, and explain clinical Bike Fit and working with the cycling population to help ALL riders experience the joys of pain-free cycling → Click HERE
