PROVIDING HELMETS AND BICYCLE SAFETY EDUCATION VIA A BIKE RODEO IN HAILEY, IDAHO.

Abstract

Purpose of Project To reduce preventable fatal and nonfatal bicycle injuries by increasing bicycle helmet ownership and providing bicycle safety instruction to parents and children through a community bike safety event. A windshield survey and discussions with local law enforcement revealed that a large number of children in Hailey were not wearing helmets and did not follow basic bicycle safety rules. Methods Through local sponsorship, free helmets were provided to participants with concurrent instruction on how to wear helmets properly. Bicycle safety, maintenance, and rules were taught by the bilingual Hailey Police Department on a bike “rodeo” course, which highlighted the most prominent causes of bicycle accidents. Several booths provided additional information to parents about local safe routes to school and bike trails, as well as bicycle safety instructional materials. Results Helmets were provided to 70 children and approximately 125 parents and children attended the event. Parents overwhelmingly expressed gratitude for the instruction provided by the police department and regional organizations and several indicated the need for ongoing instruction. Conclusion The bicycle rodeo benefited a significant number of children and parents in the Hailey community. Surplus helmets and other items from the Bike Rodeo were donated to an upcoming bike safety event. These efforts in conjunction with ongoing local efforts to teach parents and children bike safety are critical in potentially reducing fatal and nonfatal bicycle injuries.