Bicycle and helmet safety

Every year, more than 500,000 people in the United States are treated in emergency departments, and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries. Most of these deaths are from head injuries because the rider was not wearing a helmet. Children are especially at high risk and account for over half of all bicycle-related injuries seen in U.S. emergency departments every year.

• Always wear a properly fitting safety helmet.
• Wear bright clothes and put reflectors on your bicycle
• Ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic.  
• Use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever possible
• Stop at all stop signs and obey street (red) lights just as cars do.
• Always ride single file when riding in a group
• Don’t ride too close to parked cars. Car doors can open suddenly.
• Cross at intersections. Children should walk their bicycles across busy intersections using cross walks and following traffic signals.

The Bicycle Safety Institute offers up to date information on how to choose the best helmet for you or your child and how to fit it properly.

The California Department of Transportation offers more information on bicycle safety guidelines and California bicycle laws.

Head injury prevention education and helmets for children in our partnering communities are available from Trauma Prevention through the Kohl’s One Size Does Not Fit All program. For more information call (916) 734-9799.