Bike Safety
Each year, more than 500,000 people in the US are treated in emergency departments, and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries.
Children are at particularly high risk for bicycle-related injuries. In 2001, children 15 years and younger accounted for 59 percent of all bicycle-related injuries seen in US emergency departments.
(National Center for Injury Prevention and Control).
Research has shown that use of helmets decreases the risk of head injuries by 85 percent and reduces the risk of brain injuries by 88 percent (Thompson, Rivara & Thompson, 1989). Many biking injuries could be avoided with the use of properly fitted helmets and compliance with bike safety rules.
Avoid Injury
- Wear a helmet and get it fitted properly at a bike shop.
- Learn more about how to find a proper helmet.
Sources:
Below are links PAMF accessed when researching this topic. PAMF, however, does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them.
National Center for Prevention and Injury Conrol Accessed January 2005
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute Website. Accessed January 2005
Thompson, D.C., Dannenberg, A.L., Thompson, R.S., & Rivara, F.P. (1996). Bicycling. In, C.D. Caine & K.J. Linder (eds). Epidemiology of Sports Injuries. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 98-112.
Below are links PAMF accessed when researching this topic. PAMF, however, does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them.
National Center for Prevention and Injury Conrol Accessed January 2005
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute Website. Accessed January 2005
Thompson, D.C., Dannenberg, A.L., Thompson, R.S., & Rivara, F.P. (1996). Bicycling. In, C.D. Caine & K.J. Linder (eds). Epidemiology of Sports Injuries. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 98-112.