Bike safety programs encourage riders to follow basic road safety practices, such as wearing proper protective equipment to guard against injuries, avoiding common hazards and following relevant traffic laws. Because safety issues and regulations vary among regions, it's important to research the specific laws of any region in which you will travel. If you are new to an area, ask local cycling groups for tips and advice.
Legislative Programs
Your local public health department can explain current bike safety regulations that apply to your region. For example, many cities and states have specific regulations concerning who should wear bicycle helmets. Typically, these laws require young bikers within a certain age range to wear a helmet at all times. If your community has bike safety issues, such as a potentially dangerous street that could use a dedicated bike lane, work with your local government and concerned neighbors to develop a legislative agenda to deal with the problem.
Community Programs
Libraries and community centers often provide public safety classes, or at least provide a list of local offerings. If there are no local programs, consider developing one yourself. Work with a local cycling group, amateur or professional, to cater your program to the specific hazards facing riders in your area.
Public Safety Organizations
Many public safety resources provide data about the hazards of cycling and offer suggestions for how to encourage bike safety in your area. For example, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission researches cycling safety and provides certifications for helmets and other protective equipment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issues public advisories detailing current injury and death rates, best practices for road safety, tips on how to educate youth riders and similar issues. If you plan to develop your own bike safety program or a new legislative agenda, use these resources to support and guide your efforts.
School Programs
Children cannot comprehend the risks associated with bike riding without adequate education. School programs use fun activities to instill safe practices, such as always wearing a helmet and avoiding busy roads. Contact your children's school to learn about available programs. If their school has no such offering, teach children yourself using such resources as Kid's Health from Nemours, which offers online bike safety advisories geared toward children.
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