Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile. More than 70% of children ages 5-14 ride bicycles. On average, 168 Kansas children ages 0-14 die or are injured as a result of a pedal-cyclist crash in traffic each year. Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes. Traumatic brain injuries occur in 45% of the hospitalizations for bicycle crash injuries. 48% of the children hospitalized for bike injuries are age 5-9 and 78% are male. Bike helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by 85% and the risk of brain injury by almost 90%. Unfortunately, it is estimated that only 15-25% of kids wear helmets. The good news is that a recent national survey of children age 8-12 found that they were more likely to wear a helmet if their parents make it a rule in their home, if there was a law or ordinance requiring helmet use, or if they knew someone who was badly hurt because they did not wear a helmet.

The Safe Kids Kansas CYCLE SMART program is designed to increase the number of children protected by bicycle helmets by making reduced-price helmets and an educational program available to Kansas children. Helmets are distributed in local communities through ongoing bicycle safety programs and bicycle rodeos. Helmets in a variety of colors and sizes are made available to children for a cost of $7.50. Educational materials are made available to communities free of charge. The program has been credited with 10 documented lives saved and is a recipient of the National Bell Sportsmanship Award from Bell Sports in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and the Secretary's Award for Excellence from Health and Human Services.

• Since the program's inception in 1993, more than 88,000 helmets have been distributed to Kansas children.
• Technical assistance is provided to local communities considering a local bike helmet ordinance for their area.
• Safe Kids Kansas partners with the Kansas State Department of Education to sponsor Body Walk for K-5th grade students. Body Walk is presented at over 140 schools throughout the state each year, interacting with up to 500 students each day. During the Body Walk, students learn about the brain and how important a helmet is in protecting the brain from injury. Each participating school receives two bike helmets to award as incentive prizes to students.
• If your community group is interested in sponsoring a cycle smart program, you may request a community packet by calling 785-296-0351, or e-mail csage@kdhe.state.ks.us. The packet contains Step-by-Step instructions to help you organize a Bike Safety program, an order form for discount helmets, samples of available brochures, activity sheets, fact sheets and more!
• Discount helmet programs are also available from Safe Kids Kansas for multi-sport (skate) helmets, equestrian helmets and ski helmets. These forms are included in the community packet.
• Visit the web site www.bikerodeo.org for information on organizing a successful event.

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