Bicycle Safety
Injuries to Bicyclists
- Each year in the United States:
- More that 900 bicyclists are killed
- 20,000 are admitted to hospitals
- 580,000 receive emergency room treatment
For the population as a whole:
- 1.8 billion bicycle trips
- 300 injuries per million trips
- 1 death in every 2 million trips (0.5 per million)
Shocking Facts About Bicycle Accidents
- Bicyclists hospitalized with head injuries are 20 times as likely to die as those without
- 56% of fatally injured bicyclists are 20 or older
- Motor vehicles are involved in 90-92% of bicyclist deaths and 12% of injuries
- 1/3 of bicyclist fatalities occur on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher
- 2/3 of fatally injured bicyclists are tested for alcohol; 32% of those tested have been drinking
- Bicyclist death rates per trip or per person mile of travel greatly exceed the rates for car occupants
Bike Helmets Made Simple
What is a bike helmet?
- A helmet protects your brain when you fall
- It has a plastic shell on the outside and foam inside
- It has straps to keep it on your head when you fall
How does a helmet work?
- The foam crushes when you hit the road
- That cushions the blow, and usually saves your brain
- The shell keeps the foam in one piece
- If the strap is not right, your helmet can slip to the side or to the back
How do I pick one?
- Make sure the helmet has a CPSC sticker. (means that it works)
- Find one that fits you properly
- Work on the straps to get the fit just right
- Consumer Reports can tell you which helmets are best, but they don’t test them every year
Is a bike helmet good after a crash?
- No, a bike helmet is good for only one crash!
Hand Signals
All required signals given by hand and arm should be given from the left side of a bicycle in the following manner:Left Turn Hand Signal Left Turn - Hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of the bike
Right Turn Hand Signal Right Turn - Hand and arm extended upward beyond the side of the bike
Stop Hand Signal Stop or sudden decrease of speed - Hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of the bike
Contact the Logan City Police Department for more information.