It’s a beautiful day—what could be more perfect than a family bike ride? But before you pull your bike out of the garage, SolutionHealth (parent company of Elliot Health System and Southern New Hampshire Health) experts remind us there some important ways to stay safe on those two wheels!
Jess Wyman, MSN/MHA, RN, TCRN, NRP, Trauma Program Manager at Southern New Hampshire Health says you should always wear a properly fitting helmet and ensure the bicycle is in good working order. If riding at night, she recommends you have reflective devices/lighting on your bicycle and a high-visibility vest or jacket.
Head injuries and orthopedic trauma (broken bones), along with scrapes and cuts are the most common injuries the trauma teams at both Elliot Health System and Southern New Hampshire Health see.
“Head trauma is one of the most life-changing and devastating injuries that we see from bicycle accidents,” says Wyman.
A properly fitting helmet can reduce the magnitude of concussions and other injuries, and in many cases, prevent serious injury from occurring. The helmet should be free from structural damage and it should be comfortable to wear for a length of time.
To make sure you have the correct helmet, Wyman says you can visit a bike shop where they can properly fit you for the right helmet to support your bicycling activities.
“We encourage people to get out and participate in the activities they love, and to place your safety first by ensuring that you wear protective equipment designed for your activity,” Wyman says.
Additional bicycle safety information:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety