Bicycle Safety

Bicycle Helmets - Be Head Smart About Bicycle Safety


You can receive a citation for riding without a helmet. Please use your head and protect it with a properly fitted, snug helmet. Find / buy low-priced children's helmets.

Did You Know?


  • One in seven children suffers head injuries in a bicycle-related accident
  • 75% of all cyclist's deaths involve head injuries
  • Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce head injury by 85% and the risk of brain injury by 88% - New England Journal of Medicine, 1989
  • Surviving a head injury can be devastating physically, mentally, emotionally and financially
  • Victims are often never the same. Helmets can make a difference in the lives of your children

Why Children Have More Head Injuries


  • Their peripheral vision is only two-thirds that of adults
  • They have trouble judging speed and distance of oncoming vehicles
  • They have difficulty telling where sounds are coming from
  • They are easily distracted
  • They lack a sense of danger
  • They are often restless and have trouble waiting for traffic signals
Helmets are designed to disperse and absorb the impact of a crash to the head. Consider these facts:
  • An impact of 150 G's (a measurement of acceleration used to test impact) usually results in little or no injury
  • An impact of 150-200 G's causes a loss of consciousness and some amnesia
  • An impact of 1000 G's (which can result from a fall of just three to four feet) can cause serious brain damage or death
  • A bicycle helmet can reduce this impact to 100 G's

National Bicycle Safety Links


Six Important Rules for Safe Bicycling


  • Wear a helmet. The use of helmets can cut the risk of head injuries by 85%. For information on buying a low cost helmet, call the Helmets on Wheels Information line at (253) 798-3303.
  • Ride defensively, do not assume motor vehicles are looking out for you.
  • Obey all traffic laws and ride with traffic. Bicyclist must follow the same laws as motor vehicles.
  • Learn to turn and use hand signals. Turning accidents account for about 10% of all bike / car collisions each year. Utilize hand signals 100 feet before you turn.
  • Be predictable by maintaining as straight a line as possible when riding, signal your intention and share the road.
  • Be visible by wearing a helmet, which adds to your being seen, as does brightly colored clothing. For night time riding use bright lights and reflectors and wear light colored clothing with reflective tape.