Anyone Can Get Hurt ..... It's easy to crash on a bicycle. Each year, more than half a million bicyclists visit the hospital when they do just that. (Estimates are that more than one million bicyclists seek treatment in their physician's office.) These injuries can happen anytime, anywhere. People often think they're safe because they "just ride around the neighborhood". Unfortunately, most serious crashes occur on quiet neighborhood streets.

While broken bones heal, a head injury can lead to death or permanent disability. Each year, nearly 70,000 bicyclists suffer serious head injuries. Many never fully recover. Every bicyclist needs the protection that a good bicycle helmet provides. Of course, a helmet can't keep a bicyclist from falling. But it can cut the chances of serious brain injury. Researchers say that bicycle helmets can prevent three out of four serious cycling head injuries. That's a worthwhile investment for any bicyclist, young or old. And, while bicycle helmets cost money, what they protect is priceless: the bicyclists' life and future. Head injury rehabilitation is a very costly and difficult challenge. Compared with such costs, a bicycle helmet is a good bargain. Starting a new safety habit can be hard, both for the individual and for the group. That was true when they brought in hockey helmets, football helmets, motorcycle helmets, and many other protective measures. And it's true now of bicycle helmets. But times are changing. Today, several million people own and wear helmets each time they ride their bicycles.

Safety Tips

We can make bicycling safer for all by observing the following safety tips:

• Always wear a helmet
• Obey all traffic controls
• Ride your bicycle near the right-hand edge of the road
• Never carry another person on your bicycle
• Always use hand signals when turning or stopping
• Look out for cars at cross street, driveways, and parking places
• Be careful when checking traffic and don't swerve when looking over your shoulder
• Give pedestrians the right-of-way
• Keep your bicycle in good condition
• Always ride carefully

Remember a bicycle is a vehicle. Bicyclists share a complex traffic environment with other larger forms of transportation. Youngsters under age nine lack the physical and mental development to interact safely in that environment.