Bike Safety

Bike Safety

Definition: Bike safety requires consistent and correct use of helmets and compliance with legal riding practices to prevent collisions with motor vehicles, pedestrians, and other bicyclists.

Magnitude of the Problem

  • According to Safe Kids, every day almost 630 children are injured due to cycle-related crashes.
  • Approximately 229,811 children went to the ER for bicycle-related injuries in 2009.
  • In 2008, 11% of bicycle-motor vehicle crash fatalities were children ages 0-14. Children accounted for 21% of nonfatal injuries in this category, according to NHTSA.

Prevention

Strategies to improve bicycle safety include:

  • properly wearing a helmet approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission
  • educating individuals on the correct use of helmets
  • helmet subsidies and give-away programs
  • implementing helmet use legislation

CSN Journal Articles and Interviews

Injury and fatality risks for child pedestrians and cyclists on public roads

CSN Publications

Promoting Bicycle Safety for Children: Strategies and Tools for Community Programs
Childhood Injury: Cost and Prevention Facts - Bicycle helmets save medical costs for children

CSN Infographics

The Medical Costs of Childhood Injuries: Deaths

CSN Webinars

Feb 2019
Traumatic Brain Injury among Children and Youth: Understanding TBI and One Model State Program

Injury Prevention Links

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Chuggington: Think Safe, Ride Safe, Be Safe!
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
National Center for Bicycling and Walking
Parent Central: A NHTSA Website
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center

Useful Publications

Pediatric Bicycle Injury Prevention and the Effect of Helmet Use: The West Virginia Experience | WV Medical Journal
Traffic Safety Facts Traffic Tech