Bicycle-related injuries

              Injury Prevention
Facts & Tips
Rev. February 2013
Injury Prevention Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117 http://ips.health.ok.gov
Bicycle-Related Injuries
• Nearly 150 Oklahomans are hospitalized each year for bicycle-related injuries.
• In 2011, more than 300 pedal cyclists (including bicycles, tricycles, etc.) were involved in traffic crashes on Oklahoma roadways. More than one-third of these crashes involved children age 18 and under, and more than one-third occurred in a residential setting.
• From 2006-2010, 27 Oklahomans died of bicycle-related injuries.
• National estimates show 15-25% of children wear a helmet while riding a bicycle.
• Three-fourths of fatal head injuries to children riding bicycles could have been prevented with a helmet.
• In the US, every $11 spent on bicycle helmets yields $570 in benefit to society.
Prevention
• Choose the right size bicycle for each child – not one to grow into.
- Children should be able to sit on the seat with their feet flat on the ground.
- Handlebars should be within reach, and hand and foot brakes easily operated.
• Never let your child ride without a helmet.
• Be a role model and wear a helmet when you ride.
• Children should wear brightly-colored clothing to be more easily seen by motorists.
• Equip your child’s bike with:
- Reflectors on the side and rear of bicycle
- A fluorescent flag on a pole
- A horn or bell
• Never allow children to ride double.
• Teach your children to obey all road signs and traffic signals.
• Children should walk their bicycles across busy intersections.
• Children should ride single file on the side of the road, with the flow of traffic.
• Use bike trails or sidewalks whenever possible.
Internet Resources
• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (http://www.bhsi.org/)
• Kids Health: Bike Safety for Kids (http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/bike_safety.html#cat116)
• Kids Health: Bike Safety for Parents (http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/safe_play/bike_safety.html#cat20889)
• Safe Kids USA: Bicycling and Skating Safety (http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/bicycling-and-skating/)
Many bicycle crashes involve a brain injury. Wearing a helmet could prevent permanent brain damage or death.
Many injuries happen in predictable, preventable ways.
Never let your child ride without a helmet. Be a role model and wear a helmet when you ride.
Live Injury-Free!