MAKING A DIFFERENCE / Safe Moves : Hard-Headed Bicycle Safety

Bicycle-related crashes are one of the leading causes of death and brain injury to children between ages 5 and 14. But it was the tragic death of an adult that launched Pat Hines’ Marina del Rey-based crusade to teach bicycle and traffic safety to children. After a cyclist friend of hers was killed by a hit-and-run motorist in 1983, she quit her marketing job to promote bike safety full time.

Her organization, Safe Moves, works with schools, the PTA and community groups, government and law enforcement agencies, health care providers, insurance companies and businesses to educate kids about traffic safety. It also makes available low-cost bicycle helmets. Their group’s goal is to train as many children and adults as possible about how to ride safely and reinforce the message at home and school. Each year their programs, funded by Southern California cities, school districts and private and business donors, reach more than 1.5 million school children.

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Average cost of a bicycle injury: $1,098

Average lifetime cost for a severe head injury: about $4.5 million

Average cost of a bicycle helmet: about $30

Source: Pediatric Injury Prevention Research Group

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Moving the Message

Delivery: Via 6,000 school workshops, 200 bicycle safety obstacle course events called “rodeos,” and 100 parent training workshops conducted annually. Instructors take kids through hands-on excercises to show them basic precautions such as how to cross streets and railroad crossings safely and how to negotiate bikes around people, dogs and road hazards. Reinforcement: Children, parents and teachers receive safety workbooks, helmet stickers and coupons for amusement parks and restaurants from “goodie bags” distributed at events. “We bribe them, but it works.” says Steven Kirsch, program director for Safe Moves. “And when a child brings the items home we’re able to reach his or her brothers and sisters, too.” Reward: Children get additional coupons and “goodies” by mail if they send in finished art work, photos of themselves wearing their bicycle helmets or stories they’ve written about traffic safety. *

“Their approach is great. Not only do they make sure kids receive safety information, they make sure the kids understand it and retain it. I would love to see them expand their adult education programs. Deaths of older bicyclists have nearly doubled over the past twenty years.” --Michelle Mallory, City of Los Angeles Bicycle Coordinator

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Helmet Basics

California law requires those under 18 to wear a helmet when riding a bike. Expensive helmets don’t guarantee safety; Safe Moves sells two models for less than $25. What’s essential is a proper-fit. Here are some helmet features to focus on before taking a ride:

1. Outer shell should have ventilation holes, cover a crushable inner liner and rest about a half inch above the eyebrows. Choose smallest size helmet that fits.

2. Look inside helmet for label of approval by the Snell Foundation or American National Standards Institute groups akin to Underwriters Laboratory.

3. Straps should be adjustable with lengths that can be made even on both sides of helmet and pulled snug enough so that helmet moves less than 1/4 inch in any direction. Avoid too much snugness at temples.

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Don’t wear a helmet that’s loose or tipped back on your head.

Don’t use a helmet that’s sustained an impact.

Don’t use a helmet that’s more than five years old.

Don’t store helmets where temperatures may exceed 180 degrees, such as some car trunks.

Don’t use paints or solvents to clean or decorate helmets.

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TO GET INVOLVED: Cal (310) 827-7896.

Researched by CATHERINE GOTTLIEB / Los Angeles Times