Cycling in ICU — Keep Peddling or Push the Brakes?

More than 100 million bicycles are manufactured worldwide per year, and in 2023, there were more than 45 million people in the United States who cycled for sport, leisure, or travel.1 In addition, millions of people use stationary bicycles in gymnasiums, in homes, or for pulmonary, cardiac, or orthopedic rehabilitation. Because cycling is such a popular form of exercise and rehabilitation, it is not surprising that cycle ergometers were developed to augment in-bed rehabilitation. Early rehabilitation of critically ill patients is considered best practice according to international guidelines. It is exciting to see the addition of in-bed cycling to functional rehabilitation (e.g., standing, walking) for patients on invasive life support.