Bike safety event highlights serious issue

Lackawanna County to hold a helmet giveaway at PNC park to promote bike safety

As warmer weather comes our way, lots of people are pulling their bicycles and motorcycles out of the garage and taking to the roads.  Soon, the streets and parks will be full of children and adults on their bikes.

Saturday, April 25, Lackawanna County commissioners will hold their third annual bicycle safety fair and helmet giveaway at PNC Park in Moosic, PA. The event will include free food, safety presentations by the Scranton Police Department, a bike rodeo and three-hundred free bike helmets for kids in attendance.  There will also be a drawing for a free bicycle. This event is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the spring weather and for kids to learn how to stay safe. Bike-riding can be a fun way for children to stay active during the spring and summer months, but safety must be a top priority.

While it’s important for kids to learn about bike safety at a young age, it is equally important for adults to remember when they take their bikes to the roads. When cyclists share the road with cars, trucks, buses, and other large motor vehicles, serious or deadly bicycle accidents can occur.

While bicycle fatalities have decreased since 1970, they have been rising over the last few years.  Statistically, men over the age of 20 who are not wearing a helmet make up the highest percentage of people killed in bicycle accidents. Most of these fatal crashes occur in the twilight hours between 6-9 p.m. Urban areas where there is a heavy flow of traffic and less space for bikers to steer clear of larger vehicles are especially at risk.

All motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists must share the road and share the responsibility for keeping roads safe. Drivers need to remain alert, and watch for cyclists.  Wearing a  helmet significantly improves a biker’s chance of surviving and avoiding traumatic brain injury in the event of a crash. If you ride your bike in the evening, wear reflective clothing so that drivers can see you more easily. And, always observe the rules of the road.

If you have been hurt in a car accident or bike accident, the personal injury attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are here to answer your questions. People who seek the help of an attorney tend to receive significantly higher settlements and benefits than those who go it alone. We can be reached at 855-866-5529.