Bicycle Safety Awareness Program Presented by: Mrs. Villarreal, Education Coordinator Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities

To wear or not to wear? Why do you think it is important to wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle?

Reasons to wear a helmet. Bike helmets help protect your brain from brain injuries. Bike helmets help prevent injury to your face. Brain injuries do not heal-like a broken bone.

Key Words What is a brain injury? Where is the skull and what is the purpose of a skull?

Definitions Brain Injury- Damage to the brain caused by a blow to the head or jarring of the brain. Skull-The skeleton of the head that encloses and protects the brain and supports the jaws.

Bike Helmet vs. Other Helmets Why does it have to be a bike helmet?

Why a Bike Helmet? Each type of helmet is made to protect your head from the impacts common to a particular activity or sport. Such as sliding along pavement or hitting a curb. Other helmets may not protect your head as effectively. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Demonstration Watch the following demonstration and explain the reason why this experiment was chosen.

Protect Your Brain Wear a Bike Helmet! No matter how young or old you are, wearing a helmet is a good idea.

Franklin Book

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Reasons I hear for not wearing a Helmet!!!! Its not cool! It will mess up my hair! It might get lost! My friends dont wear one! The color doesnt match my bike!

Famous People Who Wear Helmets! Lance Armstrong-7 time Tour De France Bike Race Winner (Lives in Austin) Tony Romo- Dallas Cowboy Football Player Joshua Beckett-pitcher Boston Red Socks (Joshua was born in Spring, TX) Jimmie Johnson- 4 Time NASCAR Winner

Safety Tips Be sure to ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic. Watch for cars! Especially at cross streets and driveways. Look both ways before crossing the street. When riding to school, cross at the crosswalk with a crossing guard.

Safety Tips Continued Inspect your tires and brakes each time you ride. Check your helmet fit each time you ride. Replace helmets after a crash or every five years. Never talk to strangers, even when riding a bike.

Safety Tips Continued Always wear closed toe shoes. Be sure your pants wont get caught in the chain. Never wear your helmet on the playground! Any ideas why you shouldnt? Stunts??? Take personal responsibility to avoid accidents!

Turn Signals

Its not enough to simply buy a bicycle helmet – it should be properly fitted, adjusted, and worn each time you ride. The Proper Helmet Fit Helmets come in various sizes, just like hats. Size can vary between manufacturers. For the most comprehensive list of helmet sizes according to manufacturers, go to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) site:

Step 1 - Size: Measure your head for approximate size. Try the helmet on to ensure it fits snuggly. While it is sitting flat on top of your head, make sure the helmet doesnt rock side to side. Sizing pads come with new helmets; use the pads to securely fit to your head. Mix or match the sizing pads for the greatest comfort. In your childs helmet, remove the padding when your childs head grows. If the helmet has a universal fit ring instead of sizing pads, adjust the ring size to fit the head.

Steps 2 & 3 Step 2 - Position: The helmet should sit level on your head and low on your foreheadone or two finger-widths above your eyebrow. Step 3 - Buckles: Center the left buckle under the chin. On most helmets, the straps can be pulled from the back of the helmet to lengthen or shorten the chin straps. This task is easier if you take the helmet off to make these adjustments.

Steps 4 & 5 Step 4 - Side Straps: Adjust the slider on both straps to form a V shape under, and slightly in front of, the ears. Lock the slider if possible. Step 5 - Chin Strap: Buckle your chin strap. Tighten the strap until it is snug, so that no more than one or two fingers fit under the strap.

Step 6 - Final Fitting: A. Does your helmet fit right? Open your mouth wide…big yawn! The helmet should pull down on the head. If not, refer back to step 5 and tighten the chin strap. B. Does your helmet rock back more than two fingers above the eyebrows? If so, unbuckle, shorten the front strap by moving the slider forward. Buckle, retighten the chin strap, and test again. C. Does your helmet rock forward into your eyes? If so, unbuckle, tighten the back strap by moving the slider back toward the ear. Buckle, retighten the chin strap, and test again. Roll the rubber band down to the buckle. All four straps must go through the rubber band and be close to the buckle to prevent the buckle from slipping.

More Resources For more information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site at:

Final Words Have fun riding, but remember to be safe. Follow the rules of bike riding, especially when riding on the street. Always tell your parents where your going, who you are with, and when you will be home. Can anyone tell me why the last statement is SO IMPORTANT?

Resources Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Governor's Traffic Safety Committee New York State Department of Transportation