There are so many good things that come from riding a bike – good exercise, a sense of freedom, it’s good for the environment – so we want to encourage all kids to strap helmets on their heads and pedal off to the park, to a friend’s house or to school.
To ride safely, Safe Kids suggests the following tips:
https://www.safekids.org/tip/bike-safety-tips
Bicycle crashes cost victims and communities millions of dollars annually. In Utah, costs in 2005 to treat bicyclists injured in crashes with motor vehicles at emergency departments and admitted to the hospital exceeded $6.8 million.
Head injury is the most common serious injury from bicycle-motor vehicle crashes. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85% (New England Journal of Medicine). A statewide helmet observational survey conducted in Utah in 2007 showed that 23% of elementary school-age bicyclists, 14% of secondary school-age bicyclists, and 58% of adult bicyclists wear bicycle helmets. Virginia Tech also released Bicycle Helmet Ratings evaluating many popular models based on their ability to reduce linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head.
To know before you go, Utah’s Highway Safety Office provides safety tips and a summary of Utah’s Cycling Laws:
https://highwaysafety.utah.gov/pedestrian-and-bicycle-safety/bicycle-safety/