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 Worldwide, there were 102 fatal injuries due to bicycle injuries to Children in 2020, which is about 2 fatal injuries per week. And approximately 136, 753 children visited the ER for bicycle-related injuries during 2020. Data show that the highest age group incurring injuries were 15–19-year-olds; and males accounted for 9 out of 10 fatalities.
Injuries increased during the months of August and September and were more slightly more frequent on the weekends.
According to the CDC, recommendations for bicycle safety include:
- using bicycle helmets
- using designated bicycle lanes
- wearing fluorescent or retro-reflective clothing and materials that reflect on the bicycle (at night for visibility)
Additionally, bicyclists account for over 2% of people who die in a crash according to the CDC. And nearly 1, 000 bicyclists die and over 130, 000 are injured in crashes with motor vehicles in the United States.
*Note that according to the CDC, a bicycle refers to bicyclists and other cyclists including riders of two-wheel, nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered only by pedals.
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
source: https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/child-safety-topics/bike-safety
