Jesse White Encourages Bicycle Safety as May
marks Bicycle Safety Month
Urges helmet use and obeying Bicycle Rules of the Road
as summer approaches
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[May 11, 2021]
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White
encourages children to practice safe bike riding and to remember to
follow the Bicycle Rules of the Road as May marks Bicycle Safety
Month. White also reminded motorists to be aware of sharing the
roads with bicyclists, especially children. |
“As summer approaches I encourage families to
enjoy riding their bicycles safely when sharing the road with
vehicles,” said White. “Although bike riding is fun, it can also be
dangerous. It is important to wear helmets properly, obey traffic
signs and signals, and supervise children as they ride bikes. By
following the Bicycle Rules of the Road which include safety
guidelines for bike riding, we hope that bicyclists have a safe and
enjoyable ride this summer.”
• Head injuries are the most serious type of injury and most common
cause of death for bicyclists. Bicycle helmets have been proven to
reduce the risk of head and brain injury when a crash occurs by as
much as 85%.
• In 2020, 28 cyclists were killed in Illinois, according to the
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
• In 2019, of the 846 cyclists killed nationwide, children under 14
years old accounted for 5% of bicyclist fatalities, according to the
most updated information from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA). [to top of second
column] |
• In 2019, according to the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety, 78% of bicycle deaths occurred in urban areas, and
33% of bicycle deaths occurred in June, July and August.
White reminds Illinoisans that his office issues the Bicycle Rules
of the Road to ensure safe bike travel. To download a copy of the
Bicycle Rules of the Road, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |