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Riverside County Family Child Care Association>
Bike Safety Tips
July 24, 2007
Bike Safety Tips
Is bicycling good for you?
Yes, riding a bicycle is great exercise. It can help you
get in shape and lose weight, and it can reduce the risk of
health problems such as heart attacks. Bicycling puts less
strain on your joints than jogging does, so bicycling is
easier on your body.
What causes bicycle crashes?
Sometimes your mistakes cause crashes, and other times car
drivers or loose gravel on the road are to blame. You are
more likely to be seriously hurt if you run into a car or
if you are riding fast. Children can be hurt while doing
stunts on their bicycles. Getting your fingers or toes
caught in the spokes or the pedals can also cause injuries.
What if I fall off my bike?
If you hit your head when you fall you should see a doctor,
even if the injury seems minor.
What can I do to avoid injury?
The best way to protect your head and face is by wearing a
helmet. Make sure your helmet meets government standards.
All children and adults should wear helmets when they ride,
even on short trips. This is now the law in some states.
Wearing a pair of sports sunglasses can stop dust and bugs
from getting into your eyes. Wearing bright, reflective
clothing when you ride can make it easier for drivers to
see you. You can use padded gloves to protect your hands
and wear padded shorts and use a comfortable seat to reduce
buttock pain. Parents should teach children basic traffic
rules and make sure they ride in safe places. Children
younger than 10 should not ride near traffic.
How can I be sure my bike is safe?
It is always a good idea to make sure that everything on
your bicycle is working correctly. Get in the habit of
checking that the brakes are working, and be sure there are
no loose or broken parts on your bike. Reflectors and
lights make you and your bicycle more visible to car
drivers in the dark.
What about child-carrier seats?
If you ride with a child on your bicycle, you should use a
special seat that fits behind the main seat. The child
always needs to wear a helmet when riding with you. Also,
make sure the bike has spoke guards to prevent the child's
feet from getting caught in the spokes.
Other Organizations
American Trauma Society
8903 Presidential Pkwy., Suite 512
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-2656
800-556-7890 or 301-420-4189
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Mailstop K65 4770 Buford Highway NE
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
770-488-1506
National Safe Kids Campaign
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1707
202-662-0600
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Source
Bicycle-Related Injuries by MJ Thompson, M.B., CH.B., and
FP Rivara, M.D., M.P.H. (American Family Physician May 15,
2001, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010515/2007.html)
Reviewed/Updated: 09/05
Created: 09/01
Copyright © 2001-2007 American Academy of Family Physicians
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