Bicycle / In-Line Skating / Skateboarding Safety

Although a great form of exercise, riding a bike, in-line skating, or skateboarding without protective gear can be dangerous.

The most common and often most serious injury sustained with a bike, on in-line skates, scooters, or while skateboarding, is a head injury. Head injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in these types of crashes. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of death or injury and reduce the severity of the injury in the event of a crash. However, even with aggressive bicycle helmet programs and laws, only about 25 percent of children 14 and under usually wears a helmet.

Wearing a helmet whenever riding a bicycle, in-line skates, or a skateboard should be an automatic habit. Helmets should fit properly on your child's head and also be fastened correctly. A properly-fastened and fitting helmet does not move around on the head.

Teaching your children bicycle, in-line skating, and skateboarding safety could save lives. Listed in the directory below is additional information related to bicycle, in-line skating, and skateboarding safety.

Injury Statistics and Incidence Rates

Identifying High-Risk Situations

Prevention

Reviewed Date: 06-16-2011