MAKE EVERY BICYCLE RIDE A SAFE RIDE

Bicycle accidents can cause severe head or brain injuries that can have serious effects. They can cause learning disabilities, personality changes, loss of speech or sight, paralysis and even death.

• 85% of all head or brain injuries could be avoided if cyclists wore bicycle helmets.
• 85% of all bicycle crashes occur within 5 blocks of home.
• 47% of all bicycle crashes occur off the road - in driveways and on sidewalks.

Making bicycle helmet use a habit is the best way for you to protect your children when they ride their bike or trike!

Here are some suggestions to help promote bike helmet use and make every bicycle ride a safe ride:

	Model safe behavior for children: Wear a helmet when you ride. Remember that bike helmets are required by law in King County (including Seattle).
	Review the "rules of the road" with children and practice stop, look, listen and look again.
	Practice bike riding in a safe parking lot or playground. Practice hand signals, changing lanes, and looking over your shoulder to make sure it is safe to change directions, and how to avoid collisions.
	Make helmet use mandatory when using riding toys at home or in child care.
	Remind older children that pot holes, puddles, loose gravel, wet leaves, drain grates and opening car doors can all be hazards when riding on the street.
	When buying a helmet, make sure it meets current safety standards. Helmets made for sale in the U.S. after 1999 are required to meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. Look for a CPSC label inside the helmet. Drivers can see a light or brightly colored helmet better than a dark one.
	If your children are reluctant to wear helmets, try letting them choose their own color and style - allowing children to choose a helmet that's "cool" may make them less likely to take it off when you're not around.
	Bike helmets should be worn straight and level, just above the eyebrows to protect the wearer's forehead and brain. The helmet should be adjusted for a snug fit and the strap buckled under the chin on every ride. Always wear a helmet according to the manufacturer's directions!
	When a child gets off their bike they should always remove their helmet. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that helmets can catch on playground equipment, trees or other objects and choke or cause other injury to a child.

Low cost helmets are available in many locations throughout King County. For a listing of organizations offering free or low cost bicycle helmets visit www.metrokc.gov/health/injury/helmets.htm. For more information about bicycle and playground safety please consult the public health nurse for your area at (206) 296-2770.