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Bike to School Day: Staying Safe on the Road

Riding a bicycle to school is an excellent way to get in some exercise, avoid traffic, and reduce emissions. The first National Walk to School Day was held in 1997, and the National Bike to School Day came in 2012. Since then, these events have been repeating themselves to show children the joy and independence they get from walking or biking to school each day.

If your child plans to participate in the event, you will want to brush them up on some essential bicycle safety tips.

Cycling Safety is a Must

Cycling to work or school is healthy, gets you out in the fresh air, and even squeezes in exercise. However, that ride means you will be sharing the road with motor vehicles, and not all drivers exercise caution when sharing the road with bicycles.

In 2015, there were more than 1,000 bicycle rider fatalities, and over 467,000 injuries in accidents. Certain groups are at higher risk for injury or fatal accidents. Adults between the ages of 50 to 59 were at the highest risk for a fatality in a bicycle accident, while children between the ages of five to 19 were at high risk for serious injuries. Adolescents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, account for one-third of bicycle accidents reported.

Most fatalities occur in urban areas and not in the intersection like you would think. Therefore, these catastrophic accidents can occur in your seemingly quiet neighborhood.

Whether you are riding alongside your child, they are with friends, or they are going to bike alone, make sure everyone in your household brushes up on bike safety basics so that this Bike to School Day on May 9th will be one that is accident-free.

Always Wear a Helmet

Not all cities or states require that bicycle helmets are worn, but they can be the difference between a serious accident with long-term disabilities and an accident one fully recovers from. Some states are in a big debate whether a helmet is useful in a crash.

Start with an Attorney You Can Trust

Attorneys are meant to be trustworthy. They are there to work as your advocate and ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. If you have been injured, make sure that you hire an attorney with a reputation for honesty and integrity.

Most importantly, meet with that injury attorney and get to know him or her over a free consultation. This gives you a better idea of whether or not this attorney can represent your needs.


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