Bike Safety message highlighted to new cyclists
An enthusiastic group of youngsters rode on the bike safety course at Highland Park on May 17 to demonstrate their safe bicycling abilities and knowledge.
The riding opportunity was part of a bike safety event last Wednesday hosted by the City of Swift Current, in partnership with the Cypress Health Region and Bright Beginnings Family Centre.
Volunteers conducted helmet and bike inspections, and after learning about the proper hand signals a cyclist should use the excited riders navigated the bike safety course.
The bike safety course painted at the Highland Park outdoor rink allows young riders to navigate a mock street, complete with crosswalks and stop signs.
Swift Current’s event also coincided with Bicycle Safety Week, which was observed across Saskatchewan on May 14 to 21.
As part of the week, the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association and the Saskatchewan Medical Association again advocated for bicycle helmet legislation for Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute emphasizes cycling safety, with the following key points:
- The majority of cycling-related injuries can be prevented by practicing safe cycling behaviours, following the rules of the road, and wearing a bicycle helmet.
- One out of every three Saskatchewan children hospitalized with a bicycle-related injury suffers a head injury.
- Helmet use reduces the risk of head injury and brain injury by up to 85 per cent.
- Adult cyclists, parents, and caregivers must model appropriate cycling behaviour for young child cyclists.
For more information on Bike Safety and rules of the road visit www.skprevention. ca. than the head, face or brain.
- Wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle can reduce the risk of brain injury by 88 per cent.
- Approximately 75 per cent of bicycle fatalities are the result of a brain or head injury.
- One cyclist dies in Canada each week.
- In the case of life-threatening injuries among cyclists, the most frequently injured body region is the head.
- Head injury is the leading cause of disability from bicycle crashes.
- In 2009, more than 11.4 million people aged 12 and older reported riding a bicycle, but only 4.1 million reported wearing a helmet all the time.