Tennessee Students Use Art to Share Bicycle Safety Tips
Riding a bicycle is a childhood rite of passage and a favorite summertime activity in Tennessee. But for too many children, the fun turns tragic when they are injured while riding. The Tennessee Department of Health reminds parents to remind children that helmet use is not only a smart safety measure, but is also the law in Tennessee. School students across the state are sharing this message with peers through a bicycle safety poster contest sponsored by the Tennessee Traumatic Brain Injury Program.
“Wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle is a simple step that provides crucial protection from head injuries for both children and adults,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “This commonsense precaution can greatly reduce the chance of a serious or even deadly injury.”
Tennessee’s Traumatic Brain Injury Program sponsored a statewide Bike Safety Poster Contest this year to decrease the incidence of traumatic brain injuries by promoting the use of bicycle helmets. The contest was open to all Tennessee students in kindergarten through grade 12. All artwork had to be original and drawn by hand, and was judged on creativity, originality and how well the poster reflected the theme of bicycle safety. Winners were chosen from each grade for which there were participants, with each winner awarded a $50 savings bond. Contest winners are as follows:
| Name | Grade | School | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahithi Thippana | Kindergarten | Crosswind Elementary | Collierville |
| Seo-young Lee | 1st grade | Sequoyah Elementary | Knoxville |
| Savannah Ramey | 2nd grade | W.A. Wright Elementary | Mt. Juliet |
| Alvin Jiayan Zhang | 3rd grade | Sunset Elementary | Brentwood |
| Kuyuonta Cain | 4th grade | Ross Elementary | Nashville |
| Kuyuonta Cain | 4th grade | Ross Elementary | Nashville |
| Brianna Stinnett | 5th grade | Ritta Elementary | Knoxville |
| Tiffany Scruggs | 9th grade | 21st Century Academy | Chattanooga |
| Loren Viera | 10th grade | 21st Century Academy | Chattanooga |
| Samantha Sanderfer | 11th grade | 21st Century Academy | Chattanooga |
Recent studies show 85.1 percent of students nationwide rarely or never wear a bicycle helmet. In Tennessee, 133 people were hospitalized in 2006 for bicycle injuries, with 41 of those suffering traumatic brain injuries. More than 5,200 other people went to the emergency room with bicycle injuries in Tennessee in that same year. Nationwide, figures from the National Highway Safety Transportation Association show 773 bicyclists were killed in 2006, and another 44,000 were injured. National figures also show an increase in bicycle-related deaths from 1996 to 2006, illustrating the need for reminders of the importance of helmet use.
Tennessee law requires the use of a bicycle helmet for any person under age 16 who is either the driver or a passenger on a bicycle. State law also requires that the helmet meet or exceed standards set by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation, and that it fit well and be fastened securely.
Drivers of motor vehicles are also subject to a state law designed to protect bicyclists. The Jeff Roth Bicycle and Pedalcyclists Protections Act, signed into law just last year, requires drivers to keep motor vehicles at least three feet away from a bicycle when passing a bike rider.
Both the Department of Health and the Tennessee Department of Transportation promote bicycle riding as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. TDOT has dedicated more than $4.5 million in available federal funds to encouraging elementary and middle school children to safely walk and bike to school through the Safe Routes to School program. This program provides funding to local schools for bike and pedestrian safety education activities, sidewalk repairs and additions, shared-use paths, signage, crosswalks and pedestrian signals.
“It’s important to encourage children to pursue active lifestyles, like walking and biking to school, but it’s equally important to arm them with the information they need to be safe while enjoying these activities,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Wearing a bicycle helmet is like wearing your seat belt. You may never need it, but when you do, it can be the difference between life and a serious or deadly injury.”
Statistics show most deaths related to bicycle falls and collisions involve head injuries, underscoring the need for helmet use. The helmet should fit comfortably and securely. It should be worn level on the head, not tilted back on the crown or pulled low over the forehead. A person should not be able to move the helmet in any direction, back-to-front or side-to-side. The chin strap should be securely fastened. If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.
The Traumatic Brain Injury Program was established by the Tennessee General Assembly to address the needs of those individuals who have sustained a brain injury, as well as their family members and primary caregivers. TBI Program staff are available to respond to questions, make referrals and provide education and prevention programs. Learn more about this program online at http://health.state.tn.us/TBI/index.htm, or call toll-free 1-800-882-0611.
The Department of Health also has bicycle safety tips available online as part of the Healthy Kids initiative. Find these child-friendly tips at http://health.state.tn.us/kids/bike.stm.