Will cycling help my running fitness while injured?

I was asked during a telemedicine call from a runner who as an injury and he was asking me about different forms of training that he could do to maintain his running fitness.
He asked a question I get all the time, "Is cycling really helpful or not?"
Well, the short answer is yes, it is very helpful for several reasons.
Today on the Doc On The Run podcast, we're talking about whether or not cycling will help maintain your running fitness while you're injured and recovering.

[andreasmaher]

Duathlete here. I have used a rather strange way to maintain my run fitness/form while injured via a spin bike. I move the seat a little farther over the bottom bracket than I would if cycling normally. Then I installed flat pedals with no clips and use my running shoes. Basically I sit up and swing my arms like I would if Im running and with no clips on the pedals I have to concentrate more on the down stroke kind of mimicking my running style. Ive been able to maintain my speed for up to 6 weeks by doing the same workouts via time as I did while running. Looks goofy but I beats deep water running and I can do it in my garage. :)

[bostonmarathoner]

May help in the short term. I was out of my running routine for 4 months due to an injury. I'm also a cyclist, so did that religiously for 4 months. My cycling fitness is great, but my running has severely suffered. Almost 2 minutes a mile slower than my previous average and a struggle. I also did cardio chair workouts daily and weightlifting. There is nothing that matches daily running.

[natalies]

Also, even if injured for a few months I think it will be easier to transfer the cycling fitness back to running within a month or so

[david_labbe]

Hi Doc, thanks for this video! I just now strained my hip adductors (low grade), 3 weeks out from my marathon where I was hoping to go sub-3. I have a good base of mileage, thinking of maintaining as much as I can with cycling from now to the marathon and run it if the pain is gone. Could you share the volume you were doing in that month of only cycling? Lots of intervals? Thanks for any advice!

[luketcg]

I feel like my hip flexors tighten up with more cycling. Question- a podiatrist told me I have "shin splints" on top and side of my foot and said do pt. Any other tips or specifics I need to focus on? (It's been working but comes back every morning)