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. Each year, 10,700 children are hospitalized for a bicycle-related injury in the U.S., with an average length of stay of three days (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 2007).
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.
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute Website.
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.
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute Website.
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.