Before you hit the street this spring and summer, remember bicycle safety

With warmer weather upon us, everyone is spending more time outside enjoying the weather and getting their exercise in. There are kids riding their bikes around in front of their houses or to school in the morning and afternoon. Adults are riding their bikes to work or on a long ride around town. You know what I noticed — many of those kids and adults were not wearing helmets. I know I have not always been a great example of safety either. I always wear a helmet when I am going on a ride with my kids, but there were times I took off without one, and of course, my kids probably noticed.

The first thing we adults can do pretty much for anything we want our kids to do for their health and safety is be a good example first. If we want our kids to choose healthy foods, then we better be choosing healthy foods. If we want our kids to be safe on their bike, scooter, skate board or skates, then we better be wearing a helmet ourselves when doing those activities.

“Medical research shows that a bicycle helmet can prevent up to 85 percent of cyclists’ head injuries. More than 700 bicycle riders are killed in the U.S. every year, almost all in collisions with cars, and 75 percent of them die of head injuries” (Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute).
 

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