Bicycle Safety

Bicycle riding is on the upswing. More of us than ever before are riding bikes. The advent of off-road bikes as well as racing bicycles make the sport more attractive and for many, affordable. In fact, more than 70 percent of children ages five to 14 ride bicycles. Kids in this age group ride about 50% more than the average bicyclist. These children also account for approximately 140 of all bicycle-related deaths and 275,000 of all bicycle-related injures each year.
Think about that. On average, 140 people die from accident involving their bicycle every year. Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile.

Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes. Wearing an approved and properly fitted bicycle helmet can reduce your child's risk of serious head injury by approximately 85 percent.

Unfortunately, helmet use among child bicyclists only ranges from 15 to 25 percent. Helmet usage is lowest among children ages 11 to 14.

California requires all children under the age of 12 wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding a bicycle.

Here are some tips for safe on-the-road bicycle safety:

• Make sure that you and your child wear bicycle helmets correctly
• Obey traffic rules
• Ride with traffic, however, cycling should be restricted to the sidewalk until the child is at least 10 years old.
• Wear bright colored or reflective clothing
• Avoid riding at night
• Inspect bicycles monthly for cracks, tire pressure, tightness of chain etc.
• Always use hand signals

You can learn more by visiting the PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE INFORMATION CENTER.