Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile.

More than 70% of children ages 5 to 14 ride bicycles, and this group is 5 times more likely to be injured in a bicycle-related crash than older riders.

Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and is the most important factor in bicycle-related death and permanent disability. Head injuries account for more than 60% of bicycle-related deaths, more than 2/3 of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries.

The single-most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes is a helmet. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, and it is estimated that they could prevent 75% of bicycle-related fatalities among children.

Unfortunately, fewer than half of kids ages 5 to 14 wear helmets when participating in wheeled activities, and more than a third of children who use helmets wear them improperly.

Bike Safety Tips

The National Safe Kids campaign offers the following safety tips:

• Wear a bicycle or motorcycle helmet on every ride. Check to see if your helmet should have a safety certification.
• Ride so drivers and cyclists can see you.
• Look both ways for oncoming vehicles before turning or crossing a street. Go only when it is clear.
• Watch out for potholes, cracks, rocks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks or anything that could make you lose control of your bike.
• Make sure your bike fits your height, weight and age.
• Inflate tires properly.
• Check brakes before riding.
• Bikers should ride one behind another and with the flow of traffic.