Friday, May 26, 2017

Take a Ride, On the Safe Side!

"OK, let’s start with a little fun. When is a bicycle not a bicycle? Answer: When it turns into a driveway.While there are a lot of jokes out there about bicycles, let’s be clear, bike safety is NO laughing matter.
We estimate that there are more than 450,000 injuries associated with bicycles that landed people in ERs in 2016.   The most frequent diagnoses were contusions/abrasions (23.0%), fractures (21.7%), and lacerations (15.4%).
And, according to our friends at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more than 800 bicyclists died in 2015 due to motor-vehicle-related crashes on public roads and highways.
These are some staggering statistics.  We need to do much more to keep kids and adults safe while biking.
May is National Bicycle Safety Month, a good time to remind family and friends to take a ride—a ride on the safe side!  Here’s how:
Helmet Safety:
  • First, use your head: wear a helmet! Wearing one while cycling can significantly reduce the risk of head injury in the event of a fall.
  • When buying a helmet look for the label that reads “Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standards for Bicycle Helmets.”
  • Size matters, make sure the helmet fits. Also, it must have a chin strap and buckle that will stay securely fastened during impact.
  • Regularly check the helmet for cracks or degradation. Remember if you crash it, trash it!.."

Bicycle helmets

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