Injury Topics

Bike Safety

Definition: Bike safety requires consistent and correct use of helmets and compliance with legal riding practices to prevent collisions with motor vehicles, pedestrians, and other bicyclists.

Magnitude of the Problem: Bicycle injuries and deaths disproportionately affect children and young people. In 2005:

• 44% of nonfatal bicycle injuries occurred in children and youth ages 5-20
• children and youth ages 0-20 made up 23% of bicycle fatalities

Prevention: Strategies to improve bicycle safety include:

• properly wearing a helmet approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission
• educating individuals on the correct use of helmets
• helmet subsidies and give-away programs
• implementing helmet use legislation