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 Convince your patients who are parents about the hazards of bicycle riding, the need to prevent
head injury and the importance of wearing helmets, for themselves and their children.
Suggest to parents: "Getting your child to wear a helmet is the single most effective thing you
can do to make your youngster safe on his/her bike;" and "Bike crashes can happen anywhere,
not just on streets."
- Share any personal stories you know that may illustrate the need for helmets.
- Answer the common question: "Which helmet should I get for my child?" Tell parents to look
for helmets that meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard. Suggest that they allow children to pick
out a color and design that they like.
- Speak directly with children you see about the importance of bicycle helmet use. Ask the child:
"Did you wear a helmet the last time you rode your bike? " "What's inside your head; what does
your brain do for you?" "Do you want to grow up smart?"
- Reward the children who tell you that they do wear helmets with small prizes, such as stickers.
- Encourage the use of helmets from the time that children begin to ride bikes themselves, or are
towed in a bike carrier. (Riding in a seat on the parent's bike is not encouraged.) This enables
children to form the habit of helmet use before they get used to riding bare-headed.
- Help parents understand that they are being good parents when they insist that their children wear
their helmets and require that they wear them every time they ride. Also make them aware of the
need for children to learn the rules of the road before riding on streets.
- Help parents understand that their personal helmet use not only protects them, but also sets a
model for the behavior they want their children to follow.
- Supply pamphlets or other educational materials to parents. Put up posters in waiting areas and
examining rooms. Keep a kids' size helmet in the waiting room for children to try on.
- Educate your colleagues through a grand rounds presentation or local medical society
publication.
- Initiate or lend your support to local campaigns to promote helmet use and bike safety.
Critical ages for intervention
- Children ages 1-3 Parents carry babies in bike carriers (not recommended) and trailers; helmets
must be used.
- Age 3 Children riding tricycles, big wheels; child should begin wearing a helmet, getting into the
habit of regular use.
- Age 5 Children begin riding bicycles; critical time for helmet use to begin.
- Age 8 Children become more subject to peer pressure; kids need positive reinforcement to start
or continue use.
- Age 12 Peer pressure escalates; intensify positive reinforcement.
Source: Haborview Injury Prevention and Research Center
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