Released July 7, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. – With school out, many children are hitting the streets on their bicycles. Before they pedal away remind them about the importance of safety.
“Bike riding is an important activity for most children during their elementary years and using proper safety tips will allow them to have fun and be safe at the same time,” said Debbie Richardson, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service parenting assistant specialist.
Children between 6 and 12 years old are at greatest risk for bike accidents. The typical bicycle/motor vehicle crash occurs within one mile of the bicyclist’s home.
Statistics show that more than 267,000 children end up in hospital emergency rooms each year as a result of bicycle-related injuries, according to Safe Kids USA. Of these, about 40 percent have traumatic brain injuries. A head injury is the most serious outcome of an accident.
Richardson said one of the most important things to remember is to make sure children wear a helmet when they ride.
“When choosing a helmet, make sure it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission Federal Standards and then make sure it’s worn properly,” she said. “A bicycle is a child’s first vehicle, therefore he or she must learn to obey traffic signals, the law and other safety guidelines.”
Follow these guides for purchasing and wearing a helmet.
- The helmet should be smooth, fit comfortably and not move when the head is jerked from side to side.
- It should sit parallel to the ground, not tilted back, with about an inch between the eyebrows and the edge of the helmet.
- Straps should always be latched when riding a bike. Straps should fit snugly, but not too tightly. The clasp on each side of the head should be situated just below the ears and you should be able to put a finger under the closed strap against the neck.
- Use the pads provided by the manufacturer and the strap adjustments to get a good fit. Try several helmets on, as not all helmets fit all heads.
- Avoid child helmets with snag points, a squared-off shell, inadequate vents, excessive vents, an extreme aero shape, dark colors and thin straps.
- Do not use a helmet after it has been involved in an accident. Even very small cracks in the helmet may greatly reduce a helmet's effectiveness in preventing injury.
Besides wearing a helmet and obeying traffic signals and laws, additional bicycle safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission include:
- Assure the bicycle is properly adjusted and check the brakes before riding.
- Ride on the right-hand side of the road.
- Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way.
- Be extra careful when turning left.
- Stay in complete control of the bike and keep hands on the handlebars.
- Never wearing headphones when riding because they impair hearing.
- See and be seen. Wear light or bright-colored clothing for motorists to see.
- Avoid biking at night. Children are four times more likely to be injured when riding in low light (nighttime, dawn or dusk) than in daylight. If riding at night, equip your bicycle with head and tail lights and wear reflective clothing.
While having the proper safety equipment and safety knowledge is key, choosing the right bicycle is important as well.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends choosing a bicycle to fit the child’s size today, not one he or she will grow into later. The bicycle should suit the rider’s ability and kind of riding. Check hand and foot brakes. Also keep away from slippery plastic pedals and instead go for rubber-treated or metal pedals with serrated rattrap edges or with firmly attached toe clips.
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http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/katie.reim-40okstate.edu/bike-safely-this-summer
Contact: Katie L. Reim, 405-744-6792, katie.reim@okstate.edu
