“Bicycle Safety Program” 

 

Bicycle safety programs include safety checklists for the bikes as well as the use of helmets.  More than 70 percent of children-27.7 million-between the ages of 5-14 ride bikes.  Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions, and one-third of emergency room visits.

 

There are several organizations that offer information on bike safety as well as low cost helmets.  Helmets can be used in the childcare program or a bicycle safety program can be offered through your program to offer information and low cost helmets to parents for their children.

 

The National Safe Kids Campaign works with Bell Sports to provide helmets to local chapters for about $7 each.  Contact your local Safe Kids chapter or National Safe Kids Campaign, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004; 202-662-0600; www.safekids.com.  The helmets meet standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

 

Helmets R US offers helmets that meet CPSC and ANSI standards as well as Snell B-95 standards, which exceed those of the CPSC.  The cost is $5 for bike helmets and $6.50 for skateboard/inline helmets.  Helmets R Us can be contacted at 2705 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402; 253-627-2121; www.helmetsrus.net.

 

Troxel provides ASTM and CPSC approved helmets to non profit organizations and government programs for about $6.75 each.  Contact Troxel at 1333 30^th St., San Diego, CA 92154; 619-424-4900; www.troxelhelmets.com.

 

The International Center for Injury Prevention provides ASTM and CPSC approved helmets for about $7 and has available helmet campaign materials.  Contact the ICIP, 5009 Coye Dr., Stevens Point, WI 54481-5078; 800-344-7580; www.cipsafe.org.

 

The Children-N-Safety National Helmet Program, sponsored by ProRider, works with schools and other organizations to provide bike helmets and safety information.  A 30-helmet minimum is required for orders and the cost begins at $5.95.  Contact ProRider at 18370 Olympic Ave., South, Tukwila, WA 98188; 800-642-3123; www.prorider.com.

 

American Safety ASHP has Snell approved bike and inline/skateboard helmets beginning at $5.90 available in quantities of 20 or more.  Contact ASHP, 480 E. Rio Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22901; 800-BUY-ASHP; www.buyashp.com.

 

Healthy Child Care, July 2001