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Bicycle Safety

BICYCLE HELMET REGULATION

As of August 17, 2003 the King County Helmet Regulation mandates:

  • Helmet use by persons of all ages in all parts of the County, including the City of Seattle.

  • Helmets meet current U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or Snell safety standards.

  • Helmets be fastened while riding.

An infraction carries a $30 penalty. Courts have the discretion to waive the ticket for a first-time violator who can show proof of purchase of a helmet.

BICYCLE HELMET EFFECTIVENESS

Head injuries account for:

  • 60% of bicycle-related deaths

  • Two-thirds of bicycle related hospitalizations

  • One-third of bicycle related hospital ER visits
    (-NSKC, 2004)

Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85% and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88%:(-NEJM, 1989)

  • Wear a bicycle helmet every time you ride.

  • Make sure your bicycle helmet has a "CPSC" or "Snell" sticker inside. This is your guarantee that it has met the most rigorous safety standards.

  • Purchase a new helmet after a crash, or after 5 years of use.

  • Learn the rules of the road and obey all traffic laws.

BICYCLE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN

King County medical and health experts concluded that, between 1998-2002, 3 out of the 5 young people who die from bike-related injuries would have survived if they were wearing helmets. (-King County Medical Examiners Office)

Approximately 75% of all bicycle-related injuries occur among children ages 14 and under. (-NSKC, 2004)

  • Make sure your kids wear a helmet every time they ride.

  • Teach your children about the rules of the road and traffic laws.

  • Children under the age of 10 need adult supervision while riding.

  • Purchase a new helmet for your child after a crash, after 5 years of use, and when your child outgrows it.

  • Make sure the helmet fits correctly. One study found that children whose helmets fit poorly are at twice the risk of a head injury in a crash compared with children whose helmet fit is excellent.
    (- HIPRC, 1999)

OTHER BIKE SAFETY RESOURCES

Adapted for the web from information provided by
Public Health - Seattle & King County

 


Bicycle

RELATED

Seattle Department of Transportation's Bicycle Program page
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