Bike Safety

By Rebecca Katzman, MD

The weather is getting nicer, and we are getting closer to spring. Access to outdoor recreation is one of my favorite things about Orofino and I love to see people engaging in these activities. This is also a great time to be thinking about ways to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors. At the hospital, we unfortunately see injuries and even deaths related to bicycles, skateboarding, and horseback riding, especially if helmets are not being worn. Head and brain injuries are serious concerns. For horseback riders, wearing a helmet reduces the risk of bleeding inside the brain by 96%. Skateboarders tend to fall backwards, making it harder to break the fall with the arms and increasing the risk of hitting the head. Around the country, approximately 26,000 children go to emergency departments each year related to bicycle injuries. Brain injuries and face injuries can have long lasting effects
Wearing a helmet while riding a bike reduces the risk of severe brain injury by almost 90%.
Helmets need to be worn continuously and need to fit properly. When the head is upright, the helmet should sit parallel to the ground and should allow no more than two fingers between chin and chin strap. It should fit squarely on the top of the head and cover part of the forehead. The helmet should not move or fall forward and block vision with moving the head. If a helmet is damaged, it should be replaced. Most helmets should be replaced after 5 years if the material starts to break down. For riding a bike, a certified bike helmet or multisport helmet should be worn. A football helmet or ski helmet has an important role in those activities but does not protect during bike riding in the same way.
Adults can set a good example for children by engaging in safe helmet use as well. Discuss helmets with children starting early, even with tricycles. Decorating a helmet allows for individuality and makes a child more likely to wear their helmet as long as it does not affect the integrity of the helmet.
When I was in middle school, one of my classmates died falling off a bicycle at low speed on a rural path. This instilled in me an increased interest in helping families take precautions to prevent injuries and fatalities. There are many benefits to riding a bike or being on a horse including the pure enjoyment it can bring, but taking some simple steps can make these activities safer.