Orange County pushes back-to-school bike safety

With Orange County students heading back to class on Monday, Aug. 12, the county’s Community Traffic Safety Team is reminding families of the importance of proper bike safety.

Many students will be riding their bicycles to and from school, and the Orange County Community Traffic Safety Team said that a properly fitted helmet should be as much a priority as any school supplies.

According to the OCCTST, nearly 800 bicyclists were killed across the country in crashes with motor vehicles in 2017. Of those, two-thirds of the fatalities were results of head injuries.

In Orange County, the Florida Highway Patrol worked 76 crashes in 2018 involving children ages 16 and under — this showed a 21% increase from 2017.

The OCCTST reminds parents that Florida law requires that children are wearing a certified helmet while operating a bicycle. Parents and children can be cited for failure to obey this law.

“We want to stress bike safety and remind parents and kids that it is Florida law that children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet while operating a bicycle,” said Amanda Day, executive director of Bike/Walk Central Florida.

The OCCTST is comprised of police, fire rescue, traffic engineering, crossing guards and traffic safety experts. The organization will be pushing back-to-school safety messages in the coming weeks, and those involved are focused on encouraging families to protect their children with a properly fitted helmet for every student riding a bike.

There are a few upcoming back-to-school outreach events offering free helmets and/or helmet fittings, as well. For more information, visit bikewalkcentralflorida.org.