Child Bicyclist Struck by Car and Injured: Awareness and Education Important

In Cedar Rapids a 10-year old boy was struck by a car on September 14 while riding his bicycle.

According to the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, over over 450 bicyclists are injured annually. Since 1984, over 50% of the bicyclists killed and 65% of the bicyclists injured in Iowa traffic crashes were 19 years of age or younger.

Motorists need to keep a watchful eye out for children who are out riding their bicycles, walking, or playing around streets, especially during the times before and after school. Children perceive traffic differently than adults. It's important to take extra caution when children may be present and even if they are not visually seen.

Children should be educated on bicycle and pedestrian safety education. Safety education should include, but is not limited to, knowing how and where to walk and ride bicycles, how and where to cross streets, what they should wear (bright colors, shapes, reflective materials, or lights when necessary due to low light conditions), and the importance of safety equipment, such as bike helmets, and how to properly wear them.

Safety Education can be done by parents, schools, after-school programs or clubs, local law enforcement or community bike and walk advocates. Educators need to have training and/or education on bicycle and pedestrian skills, laws, and benefits.

All across the nation communities are trying to increase walking and biking to school, because of health, traffic, and environmental benefits. Bike and walk encouragement efforts should be coupled with education. Information about bicycle and pedestrian safety education and encouragement can be found at the Iowa Safe Routes to School website, www.iowasaferoutes.org, or contact Molly Gable, Safe Routes to School Program Director for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition at Molly@iowabicyclecoalition.org or 515-309-2867.