May 2004
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Bicycle safety: Statistics pinpoint danger zones
It’s
summer, but with a childhood obesity epidemic raging, it’s no time
to be lazy. Many activities that spur children to use calories, build
muscles and good health also carry some hazard. However, knowledge of
where the dangers are and attention to safety can prevent injuries and
crashes.
For example, bicycling is good form of exercise. Children should, however, understand the risks and take appropriate safety measures. Helmets that fit and are appropriately adjusted are a must. Knowing the rules of the road is important. Accompanying them on their bike treks can provide good exercise for you and more safety for them. Young children should not ride their bicycles without appropriate supervisions.
The combination of bicycles and motor vehicles on city streets and county roads can be a dangerous one. In Houston/Harris County between 1999 and 2000, among children under the age of 16 years, the Houston Trauma LINK coalition* has found:
- There were 464 bicyclist-motor vehicle crashes with 461 injuries to bicyclists and five deaths.
- In the city of Houston, 261 bicyclists were transported by emergency medical services.
- Boys were much more likely to be involved in a crash than girls.
- All deaths occurred in white boys who were not wearing a helmet.
- Most fatalities occurred in the summer and
the bicyclists were riding against traffic.
According to the National Highway Transportation Administration:
- More than one-third of all bicyclist deaths occur among school age youth ages five to 20.
- Most bicycle crashes involving motor vehicles are human errors on the part of the bicyclist and motorist.
- Although most deaths occur as a result of bicycle and motor vehicle crashes, crashes can happen anywhere - in parks, on bicycle paths, and in driveways. Many do not involve motor vehicles.
- Head injuries are the most serious type of injury and the most common cause of death for bicyclists.
- Studies have proven that bicycle helmets work to reduce head injury.
- Fifteen states and over 50 counties, cities, and localities have enacted bicycle helmet use laws.
To keep young cyclists safe, the National Highway Transportation Administration advises:
- Insist that your child wear a helmet every time he/she rides a bicycle. Replace the helmet if it has been damaged.
- Let your child choose a helmet. Make sure it has a sticker indicating that it meets Snell Memorial Foundation or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.
- Instruct your child on the correct way to wear a helmet. Make sure it fits snugly and covers the forehead.
- Set a good example. Wear a helmet yourself.
- Notice when your child wears a helmet correctly and praise him/her.
- Check your child's bicycle for correct fit, properly working parts, and reflectors.
- Teach your child to look left-right-left before entering the roadway or intersection.
- Avoid allowing your child to ride at night, as drivers often miss seeing cyclists.
- Never let a child ride a bicycle while listening to audio headphones.
- Stress the need to ride defensively since many drivers do not see bicyclists.
- Bicyclists should ride single file on the right side of the road -just like cars -and signal their intentions to other road users.
- Check with driver licensing agencies and highway departments for booklets that explain bicycle safety rules.
- Enroll your child in a bicycle safety education program if one is available in your community.
| A Matter of Health | |
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Mothers all |