U.S. Census reports have shown that people in low-income, marginalized communities, and communities of color often rely on walking and bicycling as their main sources of transportation. This means safer bicycling is critical in addressing transportation inequities.
Safe Bicycling for Kids & Adults
As children get older, bicycles provide the opportunity to get outside and explore, experience a bit of freedom, and spend time with friends. When they’re ready to venture out of the driveway and into the street, as their parent or caregiver, it’s important that you help them understand how to share the road safely.
Preparing for more pedal-powered freedom starts with you.
As a primary role model, when you wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet and obey traffic laws, you set an example for children to do the same. Make sure your children have the equipment they need to stay safe. Teach them how to control their bicycle and how to choose safe routes away from traffic.
Keep the lines of communication open so your children can let you know if they ever feel unsafe or if there is a problem with their bicycle. With the proper gear, respect for the rules, and smart choices about when and where to ride, you can set your kids up to have fun and stay safe.
Sources: Prevent Child Injury; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Washington State Department of Transportation; King County’s Regional Trails System (RTS); National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Every bicycle ride begins with putting on a helmet.
It’s important that you ensure a proper fit. Size can vary between manufacturers. Take time to ensure a proper fit—your life is worth it! It’s usually easiest to look in the mirror or have someone help you to adjust the helmet.
According to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce cyclists’ risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) by 88 percent. Laws requiring use have boosted the numbers of bicyclists wearing helmets.
Remember to replace any bicycle helmet that is damaged or has been involved in a crash.
Look for a bicycle helmet with a label that reads “U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) certified”. This means that the bicycle helmet has been tested for safety and meets Federal safety standards.
Some bicycle helmets may also have a label stating that they are ASTM, Snell, or ANSI certified. These labels let you know that the bicycle helmet has also passed the safety tests of these organizations.
To find out the size of your head:
Wrap a soft tape measure around your head, just above your eyebrows and ears. Make sure the tape measure stays level from front to back. (If you don’t have a soft tape measure, you can use a string and then measure it against a ruler.)
For the most comprehensive list of bicycle helmet sizes according to manufacturers, visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI).
Buy it. Fit it. Wear it. EVERY RIDE!
Follow these important steps:
1 – Size. Measure your head to find your size. Try on several helmets in your size until one feels right. Now put the helmet level on your head and adjust the sizing pads or fit ring until the helmet is snug.
2 – Position. The helmet should sit level on your head and low on your forehead—one or two finger-widths above your eyebrow.
3 – Side Straps. Adjust the slider on both straps to form a “V” shape under, and slightly in front of, the ears. Lock the slider if possible.
4 – Buckles. Center the left buckle under the chin. On most helmets, the straps can be pulled from the back of the helmet to lengthen or shorten the chin straps. This task is easier if you take the helmet off to make these adjustments.
5 – Chin Straps. The chin strap should be centered under the rider’s chin and fit snugly so that no more than one or two fingers fit between the chin and the strap. Once the chin strap is fastened, the bicycle helmet should not move in any direction, back-to-front or side-to-side.
6 – During your final fitting, ask yourself these questions…
➡️ Does your helmet fit right? Open your mouth wide…BIG YAWN! The helmet should pull down on your head. If not, refer back to Step 5 and tighten the chin strap.
➡️ Does your helmet rock back more than two fingers above the eyebrows? If so, unbuckle and shorten the front strap by moving the slider forward. Buckle and retighten the chin strap, and test again.
➡️ Does your helmet rock forward into your eyes? If so, unbuckle and tighten the back strap by moving the slider back toward the ear. Buckle and retighten the chin strap, and test again.
➡️ Does your helmet’s coverage feel safe & secure? Roll the rubber band down to the buckle. All four straps must go through the rubber band and be close to the buckle to prevent the buckle from slipping. A bicycle helmet should not sit too high or low on the rider’s head. To check, make sure the bottom of the pad inside the front of the bicycle helmet is one or two finger widths above the rider’s eyebrows. The back of the bicycle helmet should not touch the top of the rider’s neck.
➡️ Does your helmet fit properly with your hairstyle? Check out this resource from T4CIP illustrating ways to wear your helmet with a natural hairstyle.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Trainees for Child Injury Prevention (T4CIP).
When selecting a bicycle helmet, make sure you can see your eyes, and that you can see both straightforward and side-to-side.
Pick a route that is separated from traffic.
Bicycling is good for the environment and your health. Fewer vehicles on the road means less traffic air pollution. Unlike motor vehicles, bicycles produce zero carbon footprint.
Consider these resources when choosing a route in the Seattle area:
Equipment Check:
Rules for Riding:
When & Where:
According to the Roadway Safety Institute, a concept called Safety in Numbers shows that when more people ride bicycles together, drivers are more cautious and behave safely around cyclists on roads.
Visit our Digital Resource Center to learn more about Bicycle Safety including Bicycle Helmet Safety — plus, more injury and violence prevention topics year-round!