[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/03\/bicycle-helmet-safety-tips\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/03\/bicycle-helmet-safety-tips\/","headline":"Bicycle Helmet Safety Tips and Facts","name":"Bicycle Helmet Safety Tips and Facts","description":"With spring approaching, it is important for parents to keep safety in mind when their children are playing outside. Keeping kids safe while they ride their bikes should be a top priority, according to Jordan Hinds, community programs specialist at\u00a0UPMC Children\u2019s Hospital of Pittsburgh. \u201cBike safety deserves attention because more children ages 5 to 14 […]","datePublished":"2014-03-21","dateModified":"2021-11-23","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","name":"Pediatrics","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pediatrics\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bicycle-helmet-safety-tips.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bicycle-helmet-safety-tips.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/03\/bicycle-helmet-safety-tips\/","about":["Neurosurgery and Brain Health","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":329,"keywords":["bicycle helmet safety","bicycle safety","bike accident","bike helmet","brain injury","child safety","Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC","Christine Vitale RN MSN","Helmet Fit Test","injury prevention","Jordan Hinds"],"articleBody":"With spring approaching, it is important for parents to keep safety in mind when their children are playing outside. Keeping kids safe while they ride their bikes should be a top priority, according to Jordan Hinds, community programs specialist at\u00a0UPMC Children\u2019s Hospital of Pittsburgh.\u201cBike safety deserves attention because more children ages 5 to 14 are seen in emergency departments for injuries related to biking than any other sport,\u201d he says.Yearly in the United States, bicycle-related injuries cause more than 100 deaths in children under 15, and over 250,000 nonfatal bicycle injuries occur annually. A helmet that fits properly should be worn every time a child rides his or her bike, says Christine Vitale, RN, MSN, injury prevention manager at Children\u2019s Hospital.\u201cResearch shows that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of brain injury in a bike accident by almost 90 percent, so we know that wearing a helmet can prevent a severe head injury and potentially save a child\u2019s life,\u201d she says.To prevent injuries while riding, it is recommended that parents follow these tips:Bicycle Helmet SafetyPerform the Helmet Fit TestMake sure the bike is the right sizeYour child should be able to sit on the seat with both feet touching the groundCheck that everything works properlyMake sure reflectors are secured, the brakes and gears function correctly, and the tires are tightly secured and have enough air.Child’s bicycle helmets: Remind your child that bike helmets are only for bikingHelmets should not be worn on playgrounds, where straps can get caught. Other activities, such as skiing or football, require special helmets.Teach proper bicyclist practicesKeep children riding on sidewalks until age 10. Teach older children the traffic laws they need to obey and hand signals they should use when riding on the road.To learn more about bicycle safety, visit the Injury Prevention page for bikes.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 21, 2014, and was last reviewed on September 23, 2021."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Bicycle Helmet Safety Tips and Facts","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/03\/bicycle-helmet-safety-tips\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]