Bicycle Safety Week, May 14-20

Bicycle-related injuries can have devastating impacts for children, families, and communities. Each year in Saskatchewan, children are hospitalized for bicycle-related injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.(1) Scrapes and bruises are an expected part of learning to ride a bike. It is important to focus on preventing serious injuries with life-long impacts.

Robyn Stewart, the Prevention Institute’s Child Injury Prevention Program Coordinator, reminds communities that “bicycle-related injuries are preventable,” in a release. “Provide safety education and equipment, like helmets, to children before they get on their bikes this spring.” Using a properly fitted bicycle helmet has been shown to reduce the risk of serious head injuries by 60 per cent (2).

Across Saskatchewan, over 100 organizations host events for Bicycle Safety Week focused on educating children on bicycle safety each year.

The Prevention Institute provides bicycle safety resources, educational packages for children, and support in planning events. For the first time this year, the Prevention Institute is teaming up with the Acquired Brain Injury Health Educators at the Saskatchewan Health Authority to offer free, virtual, bicycle safety presentations to schools across Saskatchewan.

Wynn Fedorchuk of Norquay announced he is running for the NDP nomination for the CanoraPelly constituency. The winner of that contest will then represent the NDP in the next provincial election.

While bicycle-related injuries can have devastating impacts, each child who participates in bicycle safety education can improve their own safety skills and encourage those around them to do the same.

For more information on bicycle safety, visit www.saskbikesafety.ca.

(1) For more information, visit https:// skprevention.ca/resource-catalogue/safety/ cycling-related-hospitalizations-summary/.

(2) For more information, visit: https://www. parachutecanada.org/ en/injury-topic/helmets/ helmets-for-bicycles-inline-skating-scooter-riding-and-skateboarding/.