BICYCLE AND MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
- 746 bicyclist were killed in accidents with motor vehicles in 1999. These were most likely to occur during the summer and on Fridays and Saturdays. NINTY EIGHT PERCENT of these bicyclist were not wearing a helmet.
- SIXTY FOUR PERCENT of these accidents occured in an urban area and THIRTY FIVE PERCENT occured at intersections.
- Every year over 20,000 people are admitted to hospitals due to bicycle accidents.
- Bicyclist hospitalized with a head injury are TWENTY PERCENT more likely to die than those without.
- Bicyclist injury rates are HIGHEST at age 5-15.
- Bicyclist DEATH rates are highest ABOVE AGE 50.
- Motor vehicles are involved in NINTY - NINTY-TWO PERCENT of bicyclist deaths and TWELVE PERCENT of bicyclist injuries.
SAFETY AND PREVENTION TIPS
- Wear a helmet.
- Follow the local trafic laws.
- Cycle single file and on the right side of the road.
- Use hand signals in advance of a turn.
- Yield to pedestrians and other vehicles as appropriate.
- Make sure your bicycle is of proper size and safely maintained.
- Never wear headphones while riding a bicycle.
- Wear bright colored clothing.
- Equip your bicycle with reflections on the front and rear of your bicycle.
- Attach reflectors to the pedals and wheels.
- Use a bright headlight.
- Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars.
- Always check behind you before changing lanes.
- Use bells or horns to alert pedestrians and vehicles.
USEFUL WEBSITES
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
How To Not Get Hit By Cars
Bicycle Safety
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
RELATED ARTICLES
- Kingma J, Duursma N, ten Duis HJ. The aetiology and Long-term effects of injuries due to bicycle accidents in persons aged fifty and older. Perceptual & Motor Skills 1997;85(3):1035-41.
- Clarnette TD, Beasley SW. Handlebar Injuries in Children: Patterns and Prevention. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Surgery 1997; 67(6): 338-9.
- Puranik S, Long J, Coffman S. Profile of Pediatric Bicycle Injuries. Southern Medical Jounral 1998; 91(11): 1033-7.
- Winston FK, Shaw KN, Kreshak AA, Schwarz DF, Gallagher PR, Cnaan A. Hidden Spears: Handlebars as injury hazards to children. Pediatrics 1998; 102(3): 596-601.
- Rivara FP, Astley SJ, Clarren SK, Thomspon DC, Thompson RS. Fit of Bicycle Safety Helmets and Risk of Head Injuries in Children. Injury Prevention 1999; 5(3): 194-7.
- Rasanen M, Summala H. Attention and Expectation Problems in bicycle-car collisions: an in-depth study. Accident Analysis & Prevention 1998; 30(5): 657-66.
- Powell EC, Tanz RR. Tykes and Bikes: Injuries Associated with Bicycle-towed Child Trailers and Bicycle-mounted Child Seats. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine 2000; 154(4): 351-3.
- Langley JD, Alsop JC. Trends in Motorcyclist and Occupant Fatalities and Serious Injuries Due to Traffic Crashes. New Zealand Medical Journal 1998; 111(1070): 267-8.
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- Mail Code L604
- Oregon Health & Science University
- 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
- Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
- Phone: (503) 494-8882
- Fax: (503) 494-4357
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