Have you ever noticed the smile on a child’s face who’s running out the door for a bike ride? Riding bikes, whether together with your friends or family or on your own, is a great way to stay in shape and have fun. But as we all know, bicycles can be dangerous if proper precautions are ignored. “Did you know in 2015, bicycles were associated with more injuries over all age groups than skateboards, trampolines, swimming pools and playground equipment combined?” [1]
Wear a helmet
One of the single most important precautions you can take is to wear a helmet. If you’re a parent, teaching your kids that a helmet is mandatory can prevent injury and even save lives.
Safekids.org has a helpful video that shows how to ensure your child’s (or your) helmet fits properly to keep you safe in the event of an accident. [2]
Ride where it’s safe
Teach your kids where to ride safely around your neighborhood or local park. If you’re a road-biker, the Orange County Transportation Council lists several designated on-road bicycle routes. [3]
Have fun and be safe out there from all of us here at Horizon Family Medical Group.
Resources
- http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/bike-safety.aspx
- https://www.safekids.org/video/safety-seconds-bike-helmets
- http://www.orangecountygov.com/content/124/9893/9979/15607.aspx