Riding a bicycle is a great way for children to have fun and to exercise. However, the joy of bicycling can quickly turn into a tragedy. Every year in the United States, thousands of children are treated in emergency departments for bicycle-related injuries. Many of these injuries can be prevented if children follow bicycle safety rules and wear helmets. Therefore, before children take off on their bicycles this summer, it is important to teach them a few tips that can prevent injuries and save lives.
Bicycle-Related Injury Facts
- More than 220,000 children younger than 19 years of age are treated in U.S. emergency departments every year for bicycle-related injuries. That’s more than 600 each day or 25 every hour.
- The most common injuries are scrapes and bruises, cuts, and broken bones.
- Even though the arms and legs are injured the most, head injuries are the most serious and cause the most deaths
- Among bicycle riders killed in a crash where helmet use was known, more than 3/4 of bicyclists were not wearing a helmet.
Who is at Risk?
- Boys are more likely to be injured while riding bicycles than girls.
- Most of the injuries occur to children ages 5-14 years.
- Older children ages 15-18 years are injured less, but their injuries are usually more serious. These teens are 4 times more likely to die from a bicycle-related injury than younger children.
- Most injuries occur on the street.
Prevention Tips
Additional Bicycle Safety Resources
Bicycle-related injuries among children treated in US emergency departments, 2006-2015
PubMed Abstract - May 2018
Press Release - June 2018
Blog Post - June 2018
Mountain biking-related injuries treated in emergency departments in the United States, 1994-2007
PubMed Abstract - February 2011
Press Release - February 2011
Bicycle-related injuries among children and adolescents in the United States
PubMed Abstract - October 2008
Press Release - November 2008
Bicycle-related injuries to children and parental attitudes regarding bicycle safety
PubMed Abstract - April 2004
PubMed Abstract - May 2018
Press Release - June 2018
Blog Post - June 2018
PubMed Abstract - February 2011
Press Release - February 2011
PubMed Abstract - October 2008
Press Release - November 2008
PubMed Abstract - April 2004
