Figures from the Department for Transport statistics report in 2007 showed a big increase in deaths amount child pedal bike cyclists up by 55 per cent. Motorcycle fatalities were also up by 5 per cent.
Deaths and serious injury is on two wheels certainly put off many parents letting their children ride a bike whether a pedal or motor cycle when faced with worrying statistics about increasing accidents and injuries on the road involving two wheels. It only goes to the root of the problem that parents just do not feel safe to let their children out on the roads. We all want to do our bit for the environment, get out of our cars and be more do get more exercise. Pedal to school would achieve these aims but not at the expense of risking injury or even death.
Until there are better cycle lanes, more safety control measures on our roads, increased awareness of risk and education of all road users, parents will continue to take their children on the school run faced with these fatal accident and serious child statistics. The number of venerable road users like child pedal bike riders not increase over time until something has been done to significantly reduce these statistics.
Child Bike Helmets
Cycle Helmets can provide valuable and important head protection in the event of a bike accident or fall on the road, pavement or just about anywhere. However to provide protection the Helmet must reach certain safety standards so it is important to check these out. In common head injuries involving a bike accident occurs when the child rider is catapulted to the ground suffering a blow to the head. The child protection offered by the helmet should be to absorb the impact rather than transferring it to the head. The force of the blow will be disbursed within the helmet helping to reduce the head injury.
In addition to the purchase of the correct helmet, it is just as important that the helmet is fitted correctly otherwise the head protection may not afford the protection it was designed to achieve. If the helmet has been involved in an accident it is important that it is changed as the protection could be affected. Always follow the manufacturers instructions and recommendations.
Figures from the Department for Transport statistics report in 2007 showed a big increase in deaths amount child pedal bike cyclists up by 55 per cent. Motorcycle fatalities were also up by 5 per cent.
Deaths and serious injury is on two wheels certainly put off many parents letting their children ride a bike whether a pedal or motor cycle when faced with worrying statistics about increasing accidents and injuries on the road invovling two wheels. It only goes to the root of the problem that parents just do not feel safe to let their children out on the roads. We all want to do our bit for the environment, get out of our cars and be more do get more exercise. Pedal to school would achieve these aims but not at the expense of risking injury or even death.
Until there are better cycle lanes, more safety control measures on our roads, increased awareness of risk and education of all road users, parents will continue to take their children on the school run faced with these fatal accident and serious child statistics. The number of venerable road users like child pedal bike riders not increase over time until something has been done to significantly reduce these statistics.
British Standards BS EN 1078:1997 – Pedal Bike Accidents
Look out for the British Standard - BS EN 1078:1997: Helmets (protective) – Cyclists helmets – Protective clothing – Headwear – Sports equipment – Roller skates – Skateboards – Design – Field of vision – Straps – Strength of materials – Quick-release mechanisms – Safety devices – Durability – Performance – Marking – Colour – Instructions for use – Inspection – Performance testing – Impact testing – Drop tests – Mechanical testing – Ageing tests – Artificial ageing tests – Specimen preparation – Testing conditions – Test equipment
Reflectors
To see and be seen is also a vital factor when riding a pedal bike on the road. When looking for approved reflectors so your child can bee seen on the road look for the British Standards approved reflector as well as lighting front and rear.
Bike Riding
We all remember when and where we first was able to ride a bike. It as kids it gave us a freedom that we never had experiences before in our short lives up until then. Bike riding are rewarding experiences giving children increased confidence in their abilities and social interaction with other children. Making new friends and increasing the child’s health and fitness. Teaching a child to ride a bike is a parent thing which is a must. As always safety must come first.
The following link we have found very useful
From Bristol.ac.uk
The advice is repeated below:
“Teaching a child to ride a bike, and going on family cycling trips, are rewarding experiences. The benefits for children of learning to cycle include increased confidence and a sense of independence. Furthermore cycling can make an invaluable contribution to a child’s health and fitness, as well as establishing good travel habits that will last into adulthood. Transporting children by bike Children of pre-cycling age will still love travelling by bike – there are different carriage solutions for different ages.0-9 months: Until a baby can hold their head up unsupported they should not be carried in a conventional child bike seat. Once this happens (usually between 6months and a year) it is a good idea to get the baby comfortable in the bike seat environment as soon as possible, and you used to the extra weight and difference in handling.9 months-4 years: The child can be carried in a specially designed seat fitted to the back or middle of the bike(pictured right). There are many different bike seats and means of attachment. Reclining child seats, although slightly more expensive, do offer a more comfortable ride for a snoozing child. Look out for reviews in cycling magazines and ask friends and cycle shops for advice and recommendations. Longer journeys: Trailers are an excellent way to take very young children on long bike rides (pictured on front cover). Slightly older (and heavier!) children can help lighten the load by providing pedal power on a trailer bike or tag-along (effectively the back half of a child’s bike attached to the back of the adult one). Kiddie-back tandems are available in a range of sizes allowing one or two adults to cycle with up to two children behind. Teaching your child to cycle. The age at which a child is ready to learn to cycle will vary – usually between 4 and 7 years old – so don’t try and force the process. Motivation is the key to learning – emphasising the fun aspect will help them take the tumbles in their stride and encouragement and praise are important to help them persevere. It is obviously best to start children cycling away from traffic. Your local park is a good place to teach them, and the National Cycle Network provides traffic-free paths throughout the country – seewww.sustrans.org.uk or call 0117 929 0888 for more information. Once they have built up their confidence they can try quiet roads – but make sure they are aware of safety requirements and encourage them to wear a helmet. Buying your child a bike. It is better to buy the right size rather than get one which is too big, that the child can ‘grow into’. An oversized bike will not only be dangerous, it is likely to put your child off cycling. Once they have outgrown the bike, pass it on and get them another correctly sized bike. Tip: It is advisable to choose a bike without a crossbar so that the child can fall through the bike and not off it. Gaining confidence on a bike is generally a lot easier than learning to drive a car. And once you’re in the saddle, it’s often quicker and easier to get around by bike. “
Cycle Bike Accident Fact and Figures from the Headway webs site:
Headhway.org.uk
Admissions to hospital and deaths from cycle related traumas are usually due to head injury1. In terms of cyclists2, it is known that in the United Kingdom:
•8 out of 10 young people cycle
•Each year approximately 200,000 people are injured through cycling accidents and receive hospital treatment
•50% of these are children aged 16 and under
•Over 1,300 under 16 year olds are killed or seriously injured each year through pedal cycling accidents
•70% of all pedal cycle fatalities are due to head injuries
•Standard Approved cycle helmets are proven to be effective in reducing head injuries in cycle related accidents by 85%
•The wearing of approved helmets by cyclists has been made compulsory in several states in Australia (1990), in the United States and, more recently, in New Zealand (1994).
•However the use of cycle helmets remains low in Britain, with only 18% of young people who cycle wearing them.
Why Wear a Cycle Helmet?
Cycle helmets reduce serious injuries to the head that result from direct contact with a hard surface, by distributing the force over a larger area and through absorbing some of the energy.
From a study of English riders wearing the BS 4472 pre 1988 helmet and attending hospital, it was found that people who sustain an injury to the front or the back of the skull are less likely to have a fracture. This suggests that the BS 4472 pre 1988 helmet offered sufficient protection for most of these injuries, although it must be stressed that the contre coup and rotational affect of injury cannot be protected by this type of helmet.
However, the majority of serious head injuries occurring in horse riders are to the side of the skull. This emphasises the need for greater protection in that area, which is an issue that has been addressed in the EN 1384, PAS 015 and other later standards.
Road accidents produce the most severe head injury. In order to produce a more effective helmet, all round protection would be necessary. People wearing motorcycle helmets designed as such are known to have a low incidence of skull fractures following damage. However, the speed of impact is much higher and the helmets are more bulky than should be necessary for horse riders.
Further information see are Pedal Bike Accident Claims Solicitors Page
Child Accident and Injury Solicitors Claim Help
Contact us if you need any advice or help on an accident to a child that was not their fault.
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