BIKE SAFETY

WHY KIDS DON’T WEAR A BIKE HELMET??? Each year, about 400,000 children under the age of 15 are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries. An additional 300 children are killed. Bicyclists ages 5 through 14 have among the highest injury rates of all riders. About one- third of the injuries and two-thirds of the deaths are head-related. Bike helmets can reduce the risk of brain injury or death by up to 85 percent. Yet, only about 15 percent of all children nationally wear a helmet when they ride a bike. More than half the children suggested redesigning the look of the bike helmet as a way to increase helmet usage. In response to the question: "What one thing would you change on bike helmets to get more kids to wear them?", the answers fell into the following categories: How They Look: 52% How They Fit: 23% Nothing: 15% Other: 10%

HOW IT IS MADE? WHAT IS THE USE OF IT.. A bicycle helmet is designed to attenuate impacts to the head of a cyclist in falls while minimizing side effects such as interference with peripheral vision. There is ongoing scientific research into the degree of protection offered by bicycle helmets in the event of an accident, and on the effects of helmet wearing on cyclist and motor vehicle driver behavior. There is active debate over what can be concluded from available studies, and on whether the use of helmets by cyclists should be promoted or mandated, either just for children, or for cyclists of all ages. In particular the debate over bicycle helmet laws is intense and occasionally bitter, often based not only on differing interpretations of the scientific and other academic literature, but also on differing assumptions and interests of various parties.

WHO INVENTED THE BICYCLE BRAKES AND WHAT IS THE USE OF IT? The bicycle brake was patented by Browett and Harrison in This caliper brake device clamps over the rim of the tire creating resistance to slow the bike to a stop. This is a disc brake system. Albert F. Rockwell invented coaster brakes in the 1890's as a more effective way to stop bikes with less tire damage. A bicycle brake reduces the speed of a bicycle or prevents it from moving. The three main types are: rim brakes, disc brakes, and drum brakes. There have been various types of brake used throughout history, and several are still in use today. Most bicycle brake systems consist of three main components: a mechanism for the rider to apply the brakes, such as brake levers or pedals; a mechanism for transmitting that signal, such as Bowden cables, hydraulic hoses, rods, or the bicycle chain; and the brake mechanism itself, a caliper or drum, to press two or more surfaces together in order to convert, via friction, kinetic energy of the bike and rider into thermal energy to be dissipated.