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EPIC > Bicycle Head Injury Prevention Program
Note: EPIC does not currently have a bicycle safety
program. We offer the following information to those who want to understand
bicycle safety for themselves or because they want to be involved in prevention
programs.
Bicycling is a great way to get exercise and enjoy pollution-free
transportation. As with any form of recreation or transportation, safety is a
prime concern. Many bicyclists in California suffer severe injuries each year.
In 2004, for example, 139 Californians died in bicycle mishaps. Another 3,217
had to be hospitalized. Twenty-two percent of the hospitalized bicyclists had a
traumatic brain injury.
A crucial part of any bike safety program is promoting proper use of safety
helmets. Why?
- Designing and implementing educational interventions to reduce injury, death
and disability by increasing the use of bicycle helmets. A successful program
in Pittsburg, California, saw the helmet use rate climb from 22 percent to 72
percent.
- Developing strategies to disseminate helmets to low-income children.
- Encouraging the enforcement of the state law which requires youth under the
age of 18 to wear a helmet every time they ride. Enforcement strategies
include traditional tickets, fix-it tickets, prizes, incentives, educational classes,
etc.
- Encouraging the adoption and enforcement of school policies requiring students
who ride to school to wear a helmet.
- Encouraging adults and teens to serve as role models for younger children
by wearing helmets when they cycle.
- Collaborating with many other organizations such as the Department’s Maternal
and Child Health Branch, California Department of Education, and the California
Office of Traffic Safety.
What else can we do?
Learn how you can
help create bicycle friendly communities:
- The California Bike Summit: Toward Bicycle-Friendly Communities at
www.arb.ca.gov/planning/tsaq/bicycle/bicycle.htm
- National Strategies for Advancing Bicycle Safety at
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/bike/default.htm
Available Resources
Parent Education Flyer
Available in English and Spanish clearly demonstrates
how to properly fit a helmet.
- English Version - PDF (3.5MB)
- Spanish Version - PDF (2.4MB)
- Information on Adapting
this Material for Your Organization - Word (24k) - Note that to modify or
adapt these flyers, you must have the full version of Adobe Acrobat, not
just the Adobe Acrobat Reader. With the Reader you will be able to view
and print the flyers, but will not be able to make any changes.
Tips for Parents About Bicycle Helmets
- Word (25k) - Useful handout for parents and ideas that can be included in
newsletter and newspaper articles.
Mick Harte Was Here
This children's book can be used as an educational or promotional tool to support
bike safety education and school helmet policies.
- Ideas for Using Mick Harte Was Here as a Promotional Tool -
Word (32k),
PDF (19k)
- Teacher's Guide for using Mick Harte Was Here in the classroom -
Word (86k),
PDF (44k)
- This book is available at many bookstores including
amazon.com
- California Bicycle Helmet
Campaign Manual - Word (205k) - Learn how to buy helmets in bulk and promote
helmet use for your school or youth group! Great teen leadership opportunities!
Fostering Student Success by Preventing Brain Injury: A School Policy Manual
for Safe Bicycle Riding
Sample language and strategies you can use to reinforce an important safety policy! -
Word (106k),
PDF (70k)
California Bicycle Safety Diversion Curriculum
Provides 16 lessons that are adaptable for individuals
conducting enforcement diversion programs. (Prints best on printers with back
to back capability). Word (150k)
- "How to Fit a Helmet" Video Ordering
Information - Word (20k) - A great video for training your staff and volunteers
to properly fit a bicycle helmet for community prevention efforts.
Earn A Bike
- Earn A Bike Programs - Word (94k) -
Elaborates on program options focusing on youth earning a bicycle and a helmet
in a variety of formats with emphasis on building riding skills and promoting
bike safety while fostering youth development strategies (a companion document
for Tools for Life)
- Earn A Bike Program Profiles - Word (127k)
- Identifies several community organizations in California which have implemented
programs which allow youth to earn a bicycle (often bicycles from law enforcement
impound) while learning bike and safety skills. A great opportunity for
true community collaborations! (Prints best on 11" x 14" paper.)
Spectrum of Prevention: A Model for Planning Public Health Interventions
Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention,
Helmet Use and Bicycle Safety.
Learn how to combine your bike safety efforts for greater effect! This information
is also useful and practical for program planning and grant writing.
Word (44k),
PDF (24k)
Bicycle Media Outreach Kit
Useful tools to promote
love of biking and the importance of bike safety for lifelong fun and transportation!
Word (149k),
PDF (109k)
California Law
SB 1924 Text of the California Helmet Law for
Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards and Skates - PDF(12k)
Power Point Presentations
The following presentations in Power Point are for those who may wish to use these
materials to train staff and volunteers on these important bike safety topics.
These overheads are basic in nature allowing use by a less sophisticated technical
person. You are free to customize these materials for your presentations.
Unlimited permission to use and/or adapt is granted for educational purposes
only with credit as follows: "Original material developed by DHS, SLIC, Bicycle
Head Injury Prevention Program." This material may not be sold or incorporated into
material that is for sale and may not be used in presentations for which a charge
is made to the participant.
Other web sites:
- National Bike Safety Network at
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/bike/
- Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute at
www.bhsi.org
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