May is National Bicycle Safety Month—a time to highlight the importance of preventing injuries while riding. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is encouraging everyone on the road to help keep bicyclists safe.
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.
Just like seat belts reduce the risk of serious injury in a crash, bicycle helmets are a proven way to protect riders from head injuries. 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 (USPSC).
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. To help find a free or low cost bike helmet in King County, click our “Resources” tab on this page.
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.
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.
Currently, there is no state laws requiring helmet use for bicyclists. However, some cities and counties do require bicycle helmet use. State law requires anyone operating an e-bike or motorized scooter to comply with all laws and regulations related to the use of bicycle helmets (RCW 46.37.530). Therefore, if a local jurisdiction requires helmet use with bicycles, helmets are also required for e-bikes and motorized scooters.
There are clear differences between regular bicycles, e-bikes, and electric motorcycles. These distinctions are outlined in Washington State law:
Bicycles are powered by pedals exclusively.
E-bikes are bicycles that are assisted by an electric motor. Some e-bikes only provide electric assistance when the rider is pedaling while others can propel the e-bike using electric power alone. Either way, a legal e-bike will always have pedals and a maximum speed of 20mph (when using only electric power) or 28mph (with the rider pedaling). The power output from an e-bike motor will never exceed 750 watts. In Washington state, new e-bikes are required to have a label that includes the class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage (RCW 46.37.690). The labels may be placed on the top tube or near the bottom bracket on the e-bike. For more information on e-bike classifications, see the Electric Bike safety tab on this page.
Electric motorcycles are powered solely by an electric motor. Electric motorcycles often do not have operable pedals and may or may not have foot pegs or other brackets or supports. If the cycle does not have operational pedals capable of propelling it, it is classified as a motorcycle.
Make sure you know how to spot the difference between what’s considered an e-bike and an electric motorcycle. Many makes and models marketed as e-bikes are actually electric motorcycles, capable of reaching speeds much faster than a traditional e-bike. Any motor-driven cycle with a motor that exceeds 750 watts is classified as an electric motorcycle and specific laws apply.
Electric motorcycles are required to be registered with the Department of Licensing. This means for an electric motorcycle to be ridden on a road, it must have a license plate and meet the requirements of RCW 46.61.705 and operators are also required to have a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement. It is illegal to operate anything considered an electric motorcycle without a valid motorcycle-endorsed license.
Source: Washington State Legislature
Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are more popular than ever. As micromobility (small, lightweight transportation like scooters and e-bikes) options grow across the U.S., so do concerns about electric bicycle injuries and rider safety. E-bikes are faster and heavier than traditional bicycles, and that means riders face a higher risk of serious crashes, especially when proper precautions aren’t taken.
E-Bike Classifications
Not all e-bikes are the same. In the U.S., electric bikes are divided into three classes based on how their motors function and their top speeds:
Class 1: Pedal-assist only. The motor activates when you pedal and stops at 20 mph.
Class 2: Throttle-controlled. The motor can propel the bike without pedaling, up to 20 mph.
Class 3: Pedal-assist only, but faster. These bikes assist up to 28 mph and are often used for commuting. Riders must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet by law in many states.
Understanding your e-bike’s classification is key to riding safely and legally.
E-Bike Injury Prevention Tips
To reduce the risk of e-bike crashes and injuries:
E-Bike Rules
E-bike operators must follow all road rules and avoid riding in a way that endangers people, property, or obstructs travel. In simple terms, this means you should ride with common sense and safety in mind! And of course, follow the rules:
All riders must:
Source: American College of Surgeons (ACS); Washington State Department of Transporation (WDOT); King County Sheriffs Department; Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT); Pedego Electric Bikes
E-scooters are scooters powered by an electric motor. While this page is focused on bicycle & e-bicycle safety, most all these rules and safety tipcs apply to e-scooters. For more on electric scooter safety, click here >> (website coming soon!)
Yann Gorbatov is like many 13-year-old boys: He loves playing basketball, hanging out with friends and testing the limits of his electric bicycle. A recent ride, however, turned into a life-altering experience when he crashed and was rushed to Harborview Medical Center.
Read more about Yann’s story and the powerful reminder of why helmets matter >>
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:
Visit our Digital Resource Center to learn more about Bicycle Safety including Bicycle Helmet Safety — plus, more injury and violence prevention topics year-round!