Bicycle Safety

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.

May is National Bicycle Safety Month

Safe Bicycling for Kids & Adults

While bicycle safety is important year-round, HIPRC joins other organizations and safety initiatives raising awareness in May.

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 their primary role model, when you wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet and obey traffic laws, you show your kids that you expect them to do the same. Make sure they have the equipment they need to stay safer and teach them how to control their bicycle and choose safer routes away from traffic.

Keep the lines of communication open so they 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 they ride, you can set your kids up to have fun and stay safer out on their bicycles.

Finally, 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.

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.

Wear a helmet, always!

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.

Remember to replace any bicycle helmet that is damaged or has been involved in a crash.

When selecting a helmet:

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.

Start with the right size.

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).

Find your Fit.

Coverage: 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.

Side straps: The side straps should make a “V” shape under, and slightly in front of the rider’s ears.

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.

Make sure you can see!

When selecting a bicycle helmet, make sure you can see your eyes, and that you can see both straightforward and side-to-side.

Choose a bicycle-friendly route.

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:

  • King County’s Regional Trails System (RTS) is one of the nation’s most extensive multi-use networks with more than 175 miles of trails for recreation and non-motorized mobility and commuting.
  • King County Parks’ (KCP) mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities—with 28,000 acres of open space, KCP offers close-to-home recreational experiences for everyone including ballfields, playgrounds, pools and trails—as well as lush forests, quiet meadows, and sweeping vistas of mountains, rivers and the Puget Sound!
  • Washington State Department of Transportation (WA DOT) helps us to learn the rules of the road when bicycling in Washington state. Obey stop signs, traffic signals, speed limits on trails. Cycle in the same direction as other traffic unless the bike facility is marked otherwise. Ride predictably. Use hand-signals for your turns. When passing other riders or pedestrians, say “passing on your left,” then pass slowly.

Stay safe on your ride!

Equipment Check:

  • Wear a properly fitted helmet every time.
  • Make sure your bicycle is the right size (your feet should touch the ground when sitting on your seat). 
  • Check the brakes, tires, and chain often.
  • Add reflectors (and lights if possible) to your bicycle for visibility. 
  • If you have to ride at night or during bad weather, wear bright colors and reflective gear.

Rules for Riding:

  • Be predictable to motor vehicle drivers and follow all road and bicycle laws.
  • Ride with both hands on the handlebars and control speed, especially going down hills. 
  • Never ride with additional passengers.
  • Keep hands free by packing things in a backpack (or install a basket).
  • Keep eyes up and phone off so you can quickly spot hazards and make eye contact with other road users.

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.

  • Tell a trusted adult who you are riding with and where you are going.
  • Pick routes that have dedicated bicycle lanes or paths, away from heavy road traffic and busy intersections when possible.
  • Ride during the day if possible and stay where drivers can see you.

Resources

Downloadables

Visit our Digital Resource Center to learn more about Bicycle Safety including Bicycle Helmet Safety — plus, more injury and violence prevention topics year-round!