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Bikes
In 2001, 134 children ages 14 and under died in bicycle-related crashes. In 2002, nearly 288,900 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. The good news is there are numerous precautions you and your children can take to avoid potential bicycling injuries. Whether you are riding with your children or they are riding unsupervised with their friends, make sure everyone learns, understands and abides by the following Bicycle Safety tips and Rules of the Road guidelines.
ATTENTION: HELMET LAW
Effective January 1, 2004, Oregon law require youth 15 years of age and younger to wear safety helmets when riding on skateboards, scooters, and in-line skates in public places. Public places include but are not limited to streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and skate parks. Failure to wear protective headgear is a traffic violation, which carriers a fine of $25 for each offense.
Click here for a helmet fitting guide in English and here in Spanish.
Tips for Getting Your Kids to Wear Bicycle Helmets.
Safety Tips
- Always
wear a helmet
– no
matter what
your age.
Be sure
your helmet
fits correctly
and is approved
by the American
National
Standards
Institute
(ANSI),
the SNELL
Memorial
Foundation
or the American
Society
for Testing
Materials
(ASTM).
To ensure
your helmet
fits properly,
helmet straps
should be
tight enough
to allow
only one
finger to
fit between
your chin
and the
strap. Make
sure the
V-shaped
straps surround
your ears
and the
helmet covers
your forehead.
Helmets
should not
move when
you shake
your head.
- Replace
helmets
that have
been involved
in an accident.
Even if
it’s
not cracked
or visibly
damaged
in any way,
consider
it defective
and replace
it.
- Replace helmets every 5 years
- Avoid
riding at
night. If
you must
ride at
night, use
a headlight,
taillight,
reflectors
on your
pedals and
wear bright,
reflective
clothing.
- Check
your bicycle
regularly
to ensure
it’s
functioning
properly.
- Obey
the Rules
of the Road:
- Obey all traffic laws, including stop signs, yield signs and traffic lights.
- Always ride on the right side of the road.
- Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Use proper hand signals to alert cars, cyclists and roller skaters that
you intend to make a turn.
- When riding through a curve, ride in single-file, decrease your speed
and stay to the side of the road.
- When approaching an intersection, obey traffic signals and walk your
bike across the intersection.
- Never ride in-between cars, whether they are moving or parked.
- Never ride out from a driveway or hillside.
For more information, contact Doernbecher Children's Safety Center 503-418-5666 or email safety@ohsu.edu.
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